REL 3380 - Soren Kierkegaard: On Becoming a Person

Goals: To explore the thought of the founder of modern existentialism, with particular attention to his understanding of Christianity and what it means to have a self. To develop close-reading skills along with an appreciation of the literary, imaginative scope of Kierkegaard’s authorship.

Content: Selections from the following works will be studied in the context of Kierkegaard’s biography, 19th century Danish Lutheranism, and the task of becoming an individual in a mass society: Fear and Trembling, Philosophical Fragments, Concluding Unscientific Postscript, Sickness Unto Death, Training in Christianity, and Works of Love. Note: When the course is taught in winter term, it will focus on only one of Kierkegaard’s works.

Taught: Alternate years.

Credits: 4 credits