Philosophy 320
Office: Barry 215
Office Hours: MWF 12-2 pm
TR 1-2 pm
Dr. Max Maloney
x3368/606-6792
pmaloney@cbu.edu
Contemporary Philosophy
Phenomenology and the New Realist Challenge
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce interested and qualified students to current trends in
philosophy. Such an introduction can take at least two forms. The first is a horizontal approach
which surveys, for example, the rich variety of contemporary philosophical traditions, or the
competing methodologies, or the prominent figures, or the compelling issues. The second is a
vertical approach, which seeks to delimit and clarify the significance of a particular tradition,
methodology, figure or issue. Much of what we have to offer you here at Christian Brothers
University necessarily takes the horizontal approach. This semester I would like to offer you
something different. We are going to concentrate on a very current discussion: the critique
offered to phenomenology (and transcendental philosophy more generally) by contemporary
continental versions of materialism and realism.
Course Objectives
The immediate objective of this course is to familiarize you with the contemporary philosophical
scene. I hope we can agree on a further objective: advancing your understanding of both the
practice and content of philosophy more broadly speaking. It has been my experience that a
vertical approach offers significant resources for philosophical development. In spite of its value
in many contexts, the horizontal approach can encourage a superficial and distant relationship to
both the practice and the subject matter of philosophy. In the rush of figures and ideas, the real
stakes of the give and take between philosophers can be overlooked. One particularly useful way
of orienting yourself in this flux is to examine how a number of philosophers or traditions take
up and advance philosophical inquiry.
More specifically, this course aims at the following:
1. Students will become knowledgeable of the historical context and significance of different
philosophical concepts and figures.
2. Students will develop an informed personal perspective on course content.
3. Students will understand the broader context of course content through various interactive
means.
4. Students will be encouraged and assisted in the development of skills in the analysis of
concepts, arguments and texts through written and verbal articulation.
Course Requirements
Your grade for this course will be calculated according to the following scale:
90%-100% = A
Highest level of accomplishment
80%-89% = B
70%-79% = C
60%-69% = D
Below 60% = F
Significant accomplishment
Average accomplishment
Insufficient accomplishment
Inadequate accomplishment
Your final percentage will be determined (with one notable exception) by your performance in
the following areas.
20% Weekly Discussion Papers
20% Midterm
20% Final
30% Term Paper
10% Attendance
The only other modifier potentially affecting your grade is your attendance. For each absence
after the second, 5 percentage points will be deducted from your final percentage.
Weekly Discussion Papers
Each Tuesday, starting on 1/15/2013, you will be required to submit a 1-2 page
discussion paper in response to a provided prompt. The prompt will be directed at the
material covered the previous week and will require you to summarize and explain key
concepts or argments we’ve discussed.
Exams
There will be two take-home exams, a midterm and final. Roughly two weeks before an
exam is due, I will give you a set of questions to answer. Some of the questions you will
be required to respond to, but others you will get to select.
Please note: These exams are mandatory and make up a considerable portion of your
final grade. There will be no make-up exams.
Term Paper
As a demonstration of your overall level of achievement with the course materials, you
will produce a 10-12 page presentation and defense of an argumentative thesis related to
course content. The form and direction of your efforts is yours to choose, though all such
choices must be approved by me.
Please note: These exercises are mandatory and make up a considerable portion of your final
grade. There will be no late assignments accepted.
Attendance and Participation
In both its methods and its content, the study of philosophy requires the active
engagement of the student. Obviously, you cannot be engaged if you are not in class,
prepared to discuss the material. Minimally, it is your responsibility to be present, having
read and reflected upon the material under discussion. Attendance is required and I
expect you to be on time. If you are over five minutes late, you will be counted tardy.
Two instances of tardiness count as an absence. For every absence over two, 5 points
will be deducted from your final average.
Please Note: Academic dishonesty of any sort will not be tolerated. Any instance of cheating or
plagiarism that is detected will be handled according to the policies outlined in the student
handbook.
Texts
Bernet, et. al., An Introduction to Husserlian Phenomenology IHP (Northwestern U. Press,
1993) 9780810110304
Henry, Material Phenomenology MP (Fordham U. Press, 2008) 9780823229444
Badiou, Theoretical Writings TW (Continuum, 2004) 978-0826493248
Meillassoux, After Finitude AF (Continuum, 2009) 9781441173836
Readings
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
1/8-10
Introduction: Transcendental Philosophy
1/15-17
Phenomenology and Consciousness
1/22-24
The Status and Objects of Experience
1/29-31
Person, Life, Metaphysics
2/5-7
Henry: Material Phenomenology
2/12-14
Phenomenology as Method
2/19
Being-With?
No Class on 2/21
Week 8
2/26-28
Badiou: Mathematics and Ontology
Midterm Due 2/28
Spring Break 3/4-8
Week 9
3/12-14
Being and the Multiple
Week 10
3/19-21
Effecting Being
Week 11
3/26
Appearance
Term Paper Proposal Due 3/26
Easter Break 3/28-4/1
Week 12
4/2-4
Meillassoux: Science and Critique
Week 13
4/9-11
Factiality
Week 14
4/16-18
Law and Contingency
Week 15
4/23-25
Temporal Discrepancy
Term Paper Due 4/25
Finals Week 5/1-7
Final Exam Due the day of the scheduled final\
Handout
IHP Chs. 2-3
IHP Chs. 4-5
IHP Chs. 8-10
MP Ch. 1
MP Ch. 2
MP Ch. 3
TW Chs. 2-4
TW Chs. 5-7
TW Chs. 8-10, 12
TW Chs. 14-16
AF Chs. 1-2
AF Ch. 3
AF Ch. 4
AF Ch. 5
Please Note: I reserve the right to alter the terms and the schedule of readings outlined in this
document whenever and wherever I feel it necessary.