PH30F — American Philosophy

Course Rationale

The course will be devoted to reflections on the following issues:
a) The beginning and origins of American philosophy within the context of Puritanism.
b) American intellectual attempts to deal with revolution
c) American intellectual attempts to deal with slavery
d) American intellectual attempts to deal with racism
e) Transcendentalism in American philosophy.
f) Pragmatism as American contribution to philosophy.
g) African-American contributions to philosophy.
h) The American way – opportunity, progress and individualism!

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, participants are expected to be able to:

1. Explain the American philosophical tradition,
2. Compare American philosophical tradition with other regional philosophical traditions
3. Explain how this philosophical tradition has shaped American life, outlook and relationship with the rest of humanity
4. Analyze the influence of American philosophy on world philosophy
5. Analyze American philosophy as a coping intellectual strategy

Course Outline

The course will be devoted to reflections on the following issues:

1. The beginning and origins of American philosophy within the context of Puritanism.
2. American intellectual attempts to deal with revolution
3. American intellectual attempts to deal with slavery
4. American intellectual attempts to deal with racism
5. Transcendentalism in American philosophy.
6. Pragmatism as American contribution to philosophy.
7. African-American contributions to philosophy.
8. The American way – opportunity, progress and individualism!

Delivery

3 Hours weekly. That is 2 Hours of Lecture and 1 Hour of Seminar/Tutorial weekly. The Seminars/Tutorials are compulsory.

Evaluation

• Tutorial Presentation … … 10%
• One long essay (2500 words) … … 30%
• Final two-hour Examination … … 60%