“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” This thought-provoking course surveys the major figures and themes of Existential philosophy, from Friedrich Nietzsche and Søren Kierkegaard to Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre.
Explore nihilism, the Death of God, anxiety, freedom, responsibility and authenticity—alongside often-overlooked perspectives including feminism, anti-colonial struggle and the mystical encounter with the Other. Far from being merely gloomy, Existentialism reveals a passionate commitment to living deliberately and courageously in the face of ambiguity and absurdity.
Across eight weeks, you’ll engage deeply with questions of meaning, selfhood and ethical responsibility, discovering how existential thinkers challenge us to affirm life even in uncertainty.
Course Schedule (8 Weeks)
- Week 1: Nietzsche & Kierkegaard – Nihilism, Eternal Return, Leap of Faith
- Week 2: Husserl – Phenomenology & the Life-World
- Week 3: Heidegger – Being, Authenticity & Dasein
- Week 4: Sartre – Freedom, Bad Faith & Responsibility
- Week 5: Camus – The Absurd & Revolt
- Week 6: Beauvoir & Fanon – Ethics, Gender & Race
- Week 7: Buber & Levinas – Self and Other
- Week 8: Cioran & Weil – Pessimism, Grace & Attention
Course Venue
- Online via Zoom
- Zoom details provided upon enrolment
- Requires a device and stable internet connection
Schedule & Pricing
- 8-week course, 6:00pm–8:00pm (AEST)
- Course fee: $299
Details
You will learn
- Understand major existentialist thinkers and core themes
- Analyse ambiguity, freedom and ethical responsibility
- Deepen insight into selfhood and relationships with others
You will get
- Expert-led weekly Zoom sessions
- Curated readings and multimedia resources
- Interactive discussions in a supportive setting
Appropriate for
Anyone who wants to enrich their life by thoughtfully engaging with the paradoxes of existence. Beginner-friendly with no prior knowledge required.
Preparation
What to bring
- Notebook and pen
- Device with stable internet connection
- Willingness to engage and reflect
What to wear
Your Teacher
Sydney Community College
Sydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors.
The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
We do this by:
- Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
- Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
- Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
- Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
- Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.
Terms & Conditions
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
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Existentialism: God & Freedom
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