GER 391 - German Theory I

The Idealist Revolution and Beyond
This course offers an introduction to German Idealist philosophy. We will begin by looking at Kant’s doctrine of freedom and its importance for the understandings of subjectivity elaborated by his inheritors. In the second part of the semester, we will read several nineteenth- and twentieth-century thinkers who both extend and critique this tradition. Authors will include Kant, Schelling, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Benjamin, Arendt, Adorno, Źiźek, and Malabou. Conducted in English. Students taking the course for German literature credit will meet in extra sessions.

Introduction to Critical Theory
This course explores the German philosophical tradition since Kant, focusing on the emergence of the modern notions of class, race, and gender. We will be particularly concerned with how these traditional concepts are being rethought in contemporary postcolonial studies, critical race theory, and Afropessimism. In addition to philosophical texts, we will be working with literature, film, and video art. Authors will include Kant, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, Benjamin, Heidegger, Arendt, Spivak, Mbembe, and Moten. Conducted in English. Students taking the course for German literature credit will meet in extra sessions.

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group I
Prerequisite(s): For German credit: GER 212
Instructional Method: Conference
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken up to 3 times for credit if different topics.
Cross-listing(s): LIT 343
Notes: Topics vary. Review schedule of classes for availability.
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Understand how arguments can be made, visions presented, or feelings or ideas conveyed through language or other modes of expression (symbols, movement, images, sounds, etc.).
Analyze and interpret texts, whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts.
Evaluate arguments made in or about texts (whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts).