This course examines how the idea of "the modern" develops at the end of the 18th century in European philosophy and literature, and how being modern (or progressive, or hip) became one of the crucial criteria for understanding and evaluating cultural change. Are we still in modernity, or have we moved beyond the modern to the postmodern?
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The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 1)
Wesleyan UniversityAbout this Course
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Approx. 14 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 14 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Offered by
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
20 minutes to complete
Course Pages
“The Modern and the Postmodern Part I” covers the first half of a full semester course on European history, literature and philosophy. We begin with Immanuel Kant and Jean Jacques Rousseau and conclude with Friedrich Nietzsche and Charles Baudelaire and a very quick look at painting at the time they wrote. Although in the final week themes of postmodernism begin to emerge, a discussion of how modernism becomes postmodernism is at the heart of Part II of this course.
20 minutes to complete
2 readings
2 readings
Syllabus10m
Course Logistics10m
1 hour to complete
Philosophy, Modernity, and Intellectual History
Why is philosophy relevant to modernity?
1 hour to complete
2 videos (Total 24 min), 1 reading
2 videos
Philosophy, Modernity, and Intellectual History II9m
1 reading
Philosophy and Modernity -- Kant10m
1 hour to complete
What is Enlightenment?
Using Rousseau’s Discourse on the Origins of Inequality, we study how the pursuit of knowledge is related to the politics of inequality.
1 hour to complete
4 videos (Total 61 min), 1 reading
4 videos
What is Enlightenment? II15m
What is Enlightenment? III14m
What is Enlightenment? IV16m
1 reading
What is Enlightenment?--Rousseau10m
3 hours to complete
From Enlightenment to Revolution
Karl Marx is our focus here as we move from a consideration of ideas to a confrontation with alienation, class struggle and revolution.
3 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 60 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
5 videos
From Enlightenment to Revolution II12m
From Enlightenment to Revolution III9m
From Enlightenment to Revolution IV12m
From Enlightenment to Revolution V13m
1 reading
From Enlightenment to Revolution--Marx10m
3 hours to complete
Modernism and Art for Art's Sake
We read Flaubert’s Madame Bovary as a reflection on convention, stupidity and art in the wake of the failures of mid-19th century revolution.
3 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 59 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
4 videos
Modernism and Art for Art's Sake II14m
Modernism and Art for Art's Sake III14m
Modernism and Art for Art's Sake IV17m
1 reading
Modernism and Art for Art's Sake--Flaubert10m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM THE MODERN AND THE POSTMODERN (PART 1)
by NMJan 7, 2016
One of the best professors i've ever come across! If the teacher is so passionate about the subject material as well as conveying the ideas, the course will be excellent. This is one of those courses.
by JRAug 1, 2019
It was a fabulous journey, and brought me so much nearer to the great minds of the 18th and especially the 19th century, reading original texts, and listening to Prof Roth's wonderful interpretations.
by ARDec 24, 2017
I Like How Professor Roth remains objective throughout the course without letting his personal opinions hindering his teaching in any way.Enjoyed the course Very much!Highly recommend.
by CCFeb 5, 2018
extremely informative! with both a strong historical aspect and theoretical side to the lecteurs i think it is a must for people going to further study of art, philosophy or history.
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