Philosophy 395: Nietzsche and Twentieth Century Philosophy
Fall, l995

Professor: Alan Schrift
Office: Steiner 311
Office Phone: 3161
Office Hours: MW 1:00‑4:00 and by appointment

Required Texts

Nietzsche

The Gay Science
 

Human, All too Human

 

Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Twilight of the Idols, The Antichrist in Viking Portable Nietzsche

 

Birth of Tragedy, Beyond Good and Evil, On the Genealogy of Morals, Ecce Homo in Basic Writings of Nietzsche
 

Deleuze, Nietzsche and Philosophy
 

Derrida, Spurs: Nietzsche's Styles
 

Selections from Heidegger and Foucault

Course Requirements

1. Two Seminar Presentations:

The seminar presentation will consist of a 3‑5 page written summary of the reading assigned for class.

2. Term Paper: 18‑20 page research paper, due on the last day of class. No extensions will be granted except for medical emergency. The specific topic for this paper will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor, but the basic format of the paper will involve a critical analysis and evaluation of one major interpretation of Nietzsche's philosophy. In connection with this final paper, keep in mind the following requirements/deadlines:

Nov. 6: turn in a one‑paragraph description of topic with annotated bibliography.

Nov. 13: turn in detailed outline.

Nov. 20: turn in a 5‑page thesis statement that describes your project in some detail.

Dec. 8: Paper Due.

3. Position Papers: each week we will meet for approximately two hours. The day prior to our meeting, you are to turn in to me a one‑page typed comment on some aspect of the reading of that week and a second page of questions for discussion. The questions can be sent via e‑mail if you'd like, but be sure that I receive them by 5:00 on the day before we meet.

The final grade will be determined on the basis of these writing assignments and general performance during weekly meetings.

Week of:

 
   

Aug. 24

Initial meeting

Aug. 28

“On Truth and Lies in an Extramoral Sense” and BT

Sept. 4

HAH: I, V‑VIII

Sept. 11

GS: Preface, Poems, I‑III

Sept. 18

GS, IV‑V, Songs

Sept. 25

Z: Prologue, Part I‑II

Oct. 2

Z: Part III‑IV

Oct. 9

BGE: Preface, I‑V

   

Oct. 16 FALL BREAK

   

Oct. 23

BGE: VI‑IX, Aftersong

Oct. 30

GM: Preface, I‑II

Nov. 6

GM: III plus Twilight of the Idols
   

Description and Bibliography Due.
   

Nov. 13

Antichrist
   

Outline Due.
   

Nov. 20

Heidegger, “Who is Nietzsche's Zarathustra?”

 

Heidegger, “Nietzsche's Word ‘God is Dead’”

   

Thesis Statement Due
   

Nov. 27

Deleuze
   

Dec. 4

Selections from Foucault

 

Derrida, Spurs: Nietzsche’s Styles
   

Dec. 8

Paper Due

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