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Wesleyan University

The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 1)

Wesleyan University via Coursera

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Overview

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This course examines how the idea of "the modern" develops at the end of the 18th century in European philosophy and literature, and how being modern (or progressive, or hip) became one of the crucial criteria for understanding and evaluating cultural change. Are we still in modernity, or have we moved beyond the modern to the postmodern?

Taught by

Michael S. Roth

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Reviews

4.8 rating, based on 21 Class Central reviews

Start your review of The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 1)

  • Profile image for Anne Orton
    Anne Orton

    Anne Orton completed this course.

    Really enjoyed this excellent course which gives you a broad overview on the various themes in Art, Lierature, Science and Philosophy which made our modern world. Michael Roth is a fantastic lecturer, so knowledgeable yet accessible also. It was fascinating watching him search for the precise word he wanted to express his thoughts. Wish some of our English/European academics had his breadth and humanity. Well done Wesleyian!!
  • Profile image for Dolly Ye
    Dolly Ye

    Dolly Ye completed this course, spending 10 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be medium.

    A illuminating class on our conditions in a world that changes at an exponential speed.
    To quote one of the readings:"Modernity can best be grasped as an attitude, an ethos.
    - This ironic heroization of the present, this transfiguring play of freedom with reality, this ascetic elaboration of the self — Baudelaire does not imagine that these have any place in society itself, or in the body politic. They can only be produced in another, a different place, which Baudelaire calls art."––– "What is Enlightenment" Foucault

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    Really good course! Michael S. ROth's lectures are of very high quality, informative, well thought through, and not boring at all. The reading materials are carefully selected and well explained for people who are new to literature, but also experienced readers found their match in the assignments' questions and comparisons.

    Brilliant!
  • Dorothy

    Dorothy completed this course, spending 3 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be medium.

    Exciting introduction to some of history's great thinkers. The professor did a great job of describing the context and culture during the time of each of the authors. This course has made it much easier for me to select which books or lines of thought to pursue on my own. There is even a bonus lesson on some famous artwork!
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    I only audited this course but have to say that the prof's lectures were top notch and the material covered was excellent and most provocative. Strong activity in the discussion threads too.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    This course, and Part 2 of the same name, is just fabulous. So interesting and broadening. I have learnt so much about the development of ideas and ways of seeing the world. What a great teacher Michael Roth is: engaging, enthusiastic and a master of breaking down complex ideas to assist our understanding of them.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    The Lectures and Readings are excellent. The essay assignments are excellent as well for honing your writing skills. I'd recommend this clas for anyone who wants to learn more about literature and philosophy.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    It was awesome, best decision ever to take this class. It was a hard course to take (more demanding than I expected) but totally enriching and worth the effort.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    One of the best classes ever! Involving and interesting.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    It's a great class! The readings and essays take a lot of time, but stick with it and you'll learn a lot.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    The reading list was great; the professor's lectures were enjoyable and substantive.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    Excellent... it was interesting, fun and enlightening.
  • Profile image for Valeria Benatti
    Valeria Benatti

    Valeria Benatti completed this course, spending 3 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be medium.

    An effective and catchy overview of relevant thinkers which contributed to shape the culture and society of the 19th century. I am looking forward to starting the second part.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    5 star course! thank you for the clear explanations, the dynamic delivery and the broadness and depth of your approach to the history of ideas.
  • Aana

    Aana completed this course, spending 3 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be hard.

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