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Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception - PHI00007H

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  • Department: Philosophy
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Keith Allen
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module examines the philosophical views of the influential French phenomenologist, Maurice Merleau-Ponty.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

  • To critically examine Merleau-Ponty's version of phenomenology
  • To develop students' abilities to understand, analyse, and critically evaluate complex abstract questions
  • To develop students' abilities to communicate complex abstract ideas in discussion and writing

Module learning outcomes

  • To understand and be able to critically evaluate the views of Merleau-Ponty
  • To better understand, analyse, and critically discuss complex texts and abstract questions
  • To be better able to communicate complex abstract ideas in discussion and writing

Module content

This module examines the philosophical views of the influential French phenomenologist, Maurice Merleau-Ponty. The core text for the module is Merleau-Ponty’s main work, Phenomenology of Perception, in which he develops and defends the view that we are embodied subjects, embedded in the world. Phenomenology of Perception is a wide-ranging work, and topics to be covered include: phenomenological method, perception, the body, language, knowledge of others, self-knowledge, free will, and art and aesthetics.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Summative Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The formative essay plan will be submitted on Friday, Week 9 of the Autumn Term.

The summative essay will be submitted by 12 noon on Monday, Week 1, Spring Term.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Summative Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive immediate oral feedback from peers and tutor during seminar discussion.

Students will receive written and oral feedback on their essay plan within one week.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment and reassessment four weeks after they submit it.

Indicative reading

Carman, T. Merleau-Ponty. Routledge, 2008.

Merleau-Ponty, M. Phenomenology of Perception. Routledge, 1945/2002. Trans. D. Landes.

Merleau-Ponty, T. The World of Perception. Routledge, 1948/2002.

Moran, D. Introduction to Phenomenology. Routledge, 2000.

Spiegelberg, H. The Phenomenological Movement. Kluwer, 1982.

Romdehn-Romluc, K. Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception. Routledge, 2007.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.