Away MAVE

The Distance Mode of MA in Values and the Environment at Lancaster University

Module Description

The aim of this module is to get an understanding of three major Phenomenologists: Husserl, Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty, and to see whether phenomenology has anything to offer us in re-thinking our relationship to the world. As well as close text study we shall be experimenting with phenomenology as a method and one focus for our experimentation will be our relationship to place. Through these practical experiments we aim to arrive at a considered conclusion of whether phenomenology is a) possible and b) useful.

The module is organised in 5 blocks and moves from an examination of key figures in the phenomenological movement to trying to apply some of their suggestions. The module has a practical componant in that you are asked to test out these ideas yourself with a particular phenomenon that is of concern to you.

An outline of the seminar titles with the dates of when the seminars will run at Lancaster with give a flavour of the module.

21st April Introduction to Phenomenology

28th April Husserl and the Crisis

5th May Heidegger and Dwelling

19th May Dwelling and Place

26th May Merleau-Ponty and being embodied

2nd June Embodied beings and world

9th June A closer look at phenomenology as method

16th June Goethean Science as proto-phenomenology

23rd June The Study of Place (or your own phenomenon)

30th June Reviewing applications