126-033 The Cultural Critics

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

37.5 points of second/third year subjects. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed 37.5 points of European studies at second/third year, see Prerequisites.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject will explore some central themes in German thought from the 19th century to the early part of the 20th century. Students will be introduced to Marx's interpretation of history, Nietzsche's conception of morality and Freud's theory of civilisation. Students should develop a critical understanding of these themes through a series of close textual readings within a cultural and historical framework. Students will be encouraged to develop and articulate their own positions with respect to the texts studied.

Assessment

A 1000 word class paper and an essay of 3000 words for third year, 4000 words for fourth year.

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.