Major contemporary thinkers who write a form of social critique based in the continental tradition assume as background a wide knowledge of key thinkers and intellectual movements. One such figure is Judith Butler, whose important and influential work on gender, the body, and subject-formation, as well as her innovative engagements with themes in moral and political philosophy, draws on many rich sources including deconstruction, post-structuralism, psychoanalysis, existentialism and Frankfurt school critical theory. This course aims to place Butler's work in context in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of its aims and achievements. We will read a selection of Butler's texts alongside short readings from a range of influences that include Beauvoir, Foucault, Hegel, Nietzsche, Derrida, Adorno, Benjamin, Levinas and Freud.
The format of the course is seminar style, with students expected to contribute substantively to the discussion each week. Where possible, students are recommended to also take PHIL 2059, Love, Death and Freedom. This will enhance appreciation of some key themes in French philosophy touched upon in this course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Show intellectual discrimination - the ability to pick out key points and to construct an argument/interpretation.
- Show a philosophical understanding of the text selected for study in the course, including: appreciation of and ability to engage with the key arguments; awareness of the philosophers and issues this work is responding to; and familiarity with some of the arguments that critics of the work have made.
- Discuss ideas verbally and to engage in interactive dialogue about them.
Other Information
For Philosophy Honours either Advanced Continental Philosophy Advanced Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy or Advanced Analytic Philosophy is required.Indicative Assessment
Short Critical Analysis 1200 words (25%) [Assesses Learning Outcomes 1, 2]
Final essay 3000 words (55%) [Assesses Learning Outcomes 1,2]
Class Presentation 500 words (10%) [Assesses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3]
Tutorial performance (10%) [Assesses Learning Outcome 3]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Two hours per week of lectures and 12 tutorials. Students are expected to undertake approximately 7 hours of independent study each week.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
* Critchley, S.,Continental Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $1164 | |
| 2014 | $2478 | |
| 2013 | $2472 | |
| 2012 | $2472 | |
| 2011 | $2424 | |
| 2010 | $2358 | |
| 2009 | $2286 | |
| 2008 | $2286 | |
| 2007 | $2286 | |
| 2006 | $2286 | |
| 2005 | $2286 | |
| 2004 | $1926 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $2574 |
| 2014 | $3246 |
| 2013 | $3240 |
| 2012 | $3240 |
| 2011 | $3240 |
| 2010 | $3240 |
| 2009 | $3240 |
| 2008 | $3240 |
| 2007 | $3132 |
| 2006 | $3132 |
| 2005 | $3132 |
| 2004 | $2916 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3608 | 17 Feb 2014 | 07 Mar 2014 | 31 Mar 2014 | 30 May 2014 | In Person | N/A |
