PY432-6-AU-CO:
Nietzsche
2025/26
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 02 October 2025
Friday 12 December 2025
15
16 October 2025
Requisites for this module
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This module will be devoted to a close study of Nietzsche`s On the Genealogy of Morals, one of Nietzsche`s most influential works and most difficult works.
Our primary task will be interpreting the three essays that make up the Genealogy. This will involve addressing many of the most significant themes in Nietzsche`s late work, including his account of master and slave moralities, ressentiment, bad conscience, guilt, and nihilism. We will also consider what kind of work On the Genealogy of Morals is.
In preparation for our reading of On the Genealogy of Morals, we will spend the first three weeks considering methodological issues raised by Nietzsche's emphasis on psychology and history, as well as this deployment of rhetoric. In addition to the Genealogy, we draw on his other works, including the Untimely Meditations, The Gay Science, and Beyond Good and Evil.
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 one-hour lecture each week followed by a one-hour discussion seminar at which issues covered in the lecture will be discussed.
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) |
27/10/2025 |
30% |
| Coursework |
Essay (2500 words -/+10%) |
14/01/2026 |
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
Dr Steven Gormley, email: segorm@essex.ac.uk.
PHAIS General Office: 6.130, pyugadmin@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Josiah Saunders
Durham University
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 9 hours, 9 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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