PY432-6-AU-CO:
Nietzsche
2026/27
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 18 December 2026
15
15 June 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module will be devoted to a close study of Nietzsche’s The Gay Science, one of Nietzsche’s most influential works. We may also draw on some of Nietzsche’s other works, including On the Genealogy of Morals and The Birth of Tragedy.
We will consider key themes in Nietzsche’s work, including ‘the death of god’ and the 'eternal recurrence’.
The aim of this module is:
- To give students a better understanding of Nietzsche`s philosophical project in his late works, and the role in that project of his `attack on morality`.
By the end of this module students will be expected to be able to:
- Identify key steps of an argument and reconstruct that argument in clear prose.
- Construct a focused, sustained, well-structured philosophical argument.
- Demonstrate understanding of Nietzsche`s substantive claims and his rhetorical approach.
Erasmus/IP students must have already taken an introductory module in Philosophy at their home institution.
This module will be delivered via:
- 1 x two-hour class each week. Each two hour class meeting will involve both lecture and discussion elements in which all students will participate.
Both the in-class test and the final essay will be written during extra sessions scheduled during term time. They will take place in computer labs, and written on computers with no access to the internet.
There will be a reading week.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Moodle reading quizzes TOTAL (best 2 of 4 scores) |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Reconstruction Assignment (1000 words max) |
|
30% |
| Coursework |
Essay (2500 words -/+10%) |
|
50% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
PHAIS General Office: 6.130, pyugadmin@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 36 hours, 35 (97.2%) hours available to students:
1 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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