HUM 350: Great Figures: The Frankfurt School

Course Description:

This course examines some of the founding texts of the Frankfurt School . That we are examining a “school” in the context of a course on “great figures” is, at first glance, strange. However, it is important precisely because one of the underlying assumptions of the Frankfurt School is that the claim to knowledge of history as a whole by the philosopher (Hegel) was no longer defensible (if it ever was) nor can the pursuit of knowledge be grounded in the direct observation of the real (positivism). The pursuit of knowledge has to abide by the modern conditions of specialization and rationalization, yet, at the same time, an inter-disciplinary research programme—which includes sociology, political science, literature, art and aesthetics and philosophy--could provide the kind of unified understanding of history and society that was indispensable to transformative political action.

Seminars:

While there will be occasional lectures to provide context, the course will follow a seminar format. Students will be required to do short presentations as a way of provoking discussion of the readings. They will also be called upon to give a short “protocol” at the start of each class to summarize the main points of the previous class.

20% Essay 1
30% Essay 2
20% Presentation
15% Participation
15% Protocol

Required Texts: