The Existential Self: Chaos, Meaning and Human Potential (607L5)

30 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll explore key theories in existential sociology.

You’ll examine criminological ideas of evil, punishment and suffering. You’ll also study methodological techniques of narrative analysis, autoethnography and creative life-writing.

You’ll explore:

  • four central themes of human existence – death, freedom/responsibility, isolation and meaning
  • three moral dilemmas – good vs evil, order vs chaos and potential vs limitation
  • artistic representations of existentialist themes in theatre, literature and film.

You’ll apply these ideas to your own personal challenges. This may help you understand yourself better, be socially responsible and live an authentically meaningful life.

Teaching

100%: Practical (Workshop)

Assessment

100%: Practical (Portfolio)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 267 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.