126-033 The Cultural Critics

Availability

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

37.5 points of second/third-year subjects

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject will explore some central themes in German thought from the nineteenth century to the early part of the twentieth century. Students will be introduced to Marx's interpretation of history, Nietzsche's conception of morality and Freud's theory of civilisation. Critical understanding will be facilitated in the course by a series of close textual readings within a cultural and historical framework. Students will thereby be encouraged to develop and articulate their own positions with respect to the texts studied.

Assessment

An assignment or classpaper of 1000 words, and written work totalling 4000 words.

Prescribed Texts

• S Freud, Abriß der Psychoanalyse/Das Unbehagen in der Kultur. Fischer.
• H Heine, Zur Geschichte der Religion und Philosophie in Deutschland. (Departmental extract).
• K Marx & F Engels, Manifest der Kommunistischen Partei. Reclam.
• F Nietzsche, Zur Genealogie der Moral. Goldmann.