Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/modern-postmodern-2
Coursera’s ‘The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2)’ is a fascinating deep dive into the philosophical and literary shifts that have shaped our understanding of culture and progress. Building upon the foundations laid in Part 1, this course masterfully navigates the transition from the Enlightenment’s embrace of ‘the modern’ to the questioning and deconstruction inherent in postmodern thought.
The syllabus promises a rich exploration, beginning with the psychological underpinnings of modernity through Freud’s ‘Civilization and its Discontents.’ This section delves into how instinctual drives manifest in everyday life, offering a compelling lens through which to view societal structures. Following this, the course shifts to literary modernism with Virginia Woolf’s ‘To the Lighthouse.’ The exploration of Woolf’s work highlights a pivotal shift: the liberation found in abandoning the quest for an absolute ‘really real’ to embrace the richness of the ordinary.
The journey then moves into the heart of postmodern thought, examining thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Ludwig Wittgenstein. This segment critically assesses the role of ‘forms of life’ and ‘language games,’ questioning the necessity of foundational certainty for compelling cultural expression. The course doesn’t shy away from complex theoretical terrain, engaging with critical theory through Adorno and Horkheimer, and the politics of control via Foucault. These modules offer a robust understanding of the philosophical efforts to escape totalizing systems.
Art’s response to this loss of foundations is also touched upon, with a brief yet insightful look at how contemporary artists redefine their practice. The course tackles the construction of identity in a post-foundation world through the works of Judith Butler and Slavoj Žižek, providing critical tools for understanding performative identities. The syllabus culminates with a review of all thinkers covered in both parts of the course, alongside ‘Postmodern Pragmatisms,’ which explores the resurgence of pragmatic philosophy focused on real-world problems.
Overall, ‘The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2)’ is an intellectually stimulating and exceptionally well-structured course. It’s ideal for anyone interested in cultural theory, literature, philosophy, and the evolution of Western thought. The course challenges assumptions and encourages critical engagement with the very concepts that define our contemporary world. Highly recommended for those seeking a nuanced understanding of our cultural landscape.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/modern-postmodern-2