Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/modern-postmodern-2
In the realm of philosophy and literature, few questions resonate as powerfully as those surrounding modernity and postmodernity. Coursera’s course, ‘The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2),’ offers a deep dive into these critical concepts, inviting students to consider how cultural shifts influence our understanding of society.
### Course Overview
This engaging course examines the evolution of ‘the modern’ from the late 18th century onwards, highlighting its significance in evaluating cultural change. The inquiry revolves around a crucial question: Are we still within the realms of modernity, or have we transitioned into the postmodern world?
### Syllabus Breakdown
The course is structured around various themes that are vital to grasping modern and postmodern philosophies:
1. **Intensity and the Ordinary: Sex, Death, Aggression and Guilt** – This section delves into Freud’s theories presented in *Civilization and its Discontents*, probing the deep-seated instincts that manifest in our daily lives.
2. **Intensity and the Ordinary: Art, Loss, Forgiveness** – Students engage with Virginia Woolf’s *To the Lighthouse*, exploring the liberating potential of abandoning the search for the ‘really real.’
3. **The Postmodern Everyday** – This unit revisits Ralph Waldo Emerson and moves toward Ludwig Wittgenstein, investigating how our lives and language require foundations to resonate.
4. **From Critical Theory to Postmodernism** – A thought-provoking examination of thinkers like Horkheimer, Adorno, and Foucault helps participants confront the philosophy that seeks to escape totality, shedding light on the politics of control.
5. **Paintings II** – Here, students briefly reflect on how modern artists respond to the erosion of foundational concepts in their works, prompting a redefinition of art itself.
6. **Postmodern Identities** – Short writings from Judith Butler and Slavoj Žižek dissect how identities are shaped and performed in a postmodern landscape lacking stable foundations.
7. **Late-term Review** – A comprehensive review session of all the thinkers studied in Parts I and II, along with complementary resources to reinforce learning.
8. **Postmodern Pragmatisms** – This module explores the revival of pragmatic philosophy, applying it to real human problems alongside postmodern thought.
### Why Take This Course?
‘’The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2)’ is not just a course; it’s an intellectual journey that equips you with the tools to analyze cultural phenomena critically. Whether you’re a student of literature, philosophy, or sociology, the insights gleaned from this course will enhance your understanding of contemporary issues and enrich your academic pursuits.
The engaging format, combined with high-quality readings and critical analysis, ensures a stimulating learning environment. The reflections on modern and postmodern art, alongside seminal philosophical ideas, encourage learners to engage with complex topics deeply.
### Recommendation
If you’re eager to explore profound questions surrounding modernity and its implications for identity, culture, and art, I wholeheartedly recommend enrolling in ‘The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2)’ on Coursera. It’s a unique opportunity to understand the ongoing transformation of cultural paradigms and to join a community of like-minded learners passionate about these themes.
So why wait? Sign up today and immerse yourself in an academic exploration that promises to broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding of the modern and postmodern worlds!
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/modern-postmodern-2