PHIL 253: Philosophy and Literature

PHIL 253-006: Philosophy and Literature
(Fall 2025)

12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW

Horizon Hall 3014

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Section Information for Fall 2025

Course Description/Overview: Examines differences and relations between literary and
philosophical texts. Examines texts from a given period in the history of literature and
philosophy. Topics include the presence of common issues in literary and philosophical writings,
the influence of philosophical ideas on the production of literary texts and literary theory, and the
development in literary texts of issues that are possible objects of philosophical inquiry. Offered
by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts. Mason Core: Mason Core, Literature
This section focuses on the philosophy of literature and philosophical literature of the late 20th
century (after WWII). Beginning with the existentialist tradition of Jean Paul Sartre, we consider
his humanistic arguments about the meaning and purpose of writing that spur both philosophical
inquiry and literary experimentation for several decades to follow. The semester proceeds
alternately between reading philosophical texts and literary texts that together might engender
dialogues around the idea of authorship, the influence and role of the reader, the politics of
literature, and the differences between literature, poetry, and philosophy. Together we will
consider structuralist, post structuralist, decolonial, and feminist approaches to philosophy and
literature.
We will read examples of several literary forms and genres, too, including novels, short stories,
and poems. Some readings are very short—five pages or less—and some weeks will be spent
working through a novel; regardless of length, plan to spend about two hours per class meeting
reading and ruminating on the assigned material. The purpose of the course is not to explore
reader responses—how a text makes us feel when we read it—, but to exercise close reading and
critical thinking about what texts do and what ideas mean.
All required reading and course materials will be provided, free of charge, to students on the
Canvas course page. Students are encouraged to print out and bring these materials to class in
hard copy but may use laptop or tablet devices to access course materials during class time. 

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Course Information from the University Catalog