Between the upheavals of the French Revolution and the First World War, the European nations witnessed an utter transformation of their world. The relations of human beings to the nation, to the state, to history, and to the physical world were rethought from top to bottom. Our exploration of modern ideas take us from rationalism to racism, and from utopian ideologies to the birth of psychoanalysis.
Course Requirements:
The main requirements of this course are:
- Consistent attendance and timely and careful reading of assignments, to be evaluated on the basis of lively participation in discussions and several simple quizzes
- Three short essays on specific readings, the topics of which will be provided; you will have a choice of essay questions to which to respond, and you will receive ample feedback on these
- A final term paper, in which you focus on the specific intellectual-historical issue of greatest interest to you.
Intended Audience:
No previous knowledge of European history, philosophy, or German is expected or required. The course is intended for serious undergraduates seeking to explore these ideas and thinkers.
Class Format:
Two meetings weekly, combined lecture and discussion.