Introductory Seminar for European Literature and Philosophy

Students shall be introduced to representative texts from 17th-18th century European literature and philosophy. In each pair of lessons from 3 to 14, one theme (or one philosopher/literary figure) shall be covered. After covering the overview, students shall read excerpts from the texts (Japanese translations). Following each session, students shall summarize the contents of the texts and their impressions on e-ALPS to exchange opinions.
The broad progress is shown in the following "lesson plan," but it will change flexibly according to the students' level of understanding.

European Literature, Philosophy, Group Work

1. Orientation, Course Objectives, Reviewing the Lesson Plan
2. Overview of Changes from the Medieval to Contemporary Times, Forming Groups and Introductions
3-4. Overview of Descartes, Reading Texts
5-6. Overview of Spinoza, Reading Texts
7-8. Overview of Leibniz and Voltaire, Reading Texts
9-10. Overview of Rousseau, Reading Texts
11-12. Overview of Encyclopedia and Natural History, Reading Texts
13-14. Overview of Atheism and Materialism, Reading Texts
15. Final Summary, Guidance for Report

Syllabus (Japanese site only)