The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 1)

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/modern-postmodern-1

Introduction

### Course Review: The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 1) on Coursera **Overview** "The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 1)" is an engaging online course offered on Coursera that delves deeply into the evolution of modern thought, tracing its roots from the late 18th-century European philosophy and literature. The course examines how the concept of "the modern" shaped cultural changes and aspirations during a revolutionary period in history. It poses intriguing questions about our current societal position: Are we still anchored in modernity, or have we strayed into the realm of the postmodern? **Syllabus Breakdown** This course is meticulously structured, unfolding across various enlightening modules. The content spans significant philosophical and literary figures, starting with renowned thinkers like Immanuel Kant and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and concluding with the profound insights of Friedrich Nietzsche and Charles Baudelaire. Here's a closer look at the main themes: 1. **Philosophy, Modernity, and Intellectual History** The course initiates with a compelling examination of philosophy's relevance to modernity, highlighting how thinkers like Kant and Rousseau reflect on progress and knowledge’s impacts. This section establishes a strong foundation for understanding the evolution of modern thought. 2. **What is Enlightenment?** Exploring Rousseau’s "Discourse on the Origins of Inequality," learners investigate the interplay between knowledge acquisition and socio-political dynamics, which plays a crucial role in modern philosophical discourse. 3. **From Enlightenment to Revolution** Here, students focus on Karl Marx, addressing themes of alienation, class struggle, and the revolutionary spirit that swept across Europe. This segment is particularly vital for grasping the implications of modern philosophy on societal structures. 4. **Modernism and Art for Art’s Sake** By analyzing Gustave Flaubert’s "Madame Bovary," the course examines the artistic responses to societal conventions and failures during the mid-19th century. This exploration of literature is complemented with critical discussions surrounding the notion of art itself. 5. **Re-imagining the World** Through the lens of Charles Darwin’s work, students consider the transition in thought from enlightenment-driven narratives to perspectives that see the world without fixed goals, offering a refreshing take on progress. 6. **From Struggle to Intensity** In this module, the focus turns to Baudelaire and Nietzsche, emphasizing an aesthetic shift from existential quests to an embrace of experiential intensity. This approach encourages a deeper understanding of modernism's emotional and artistic dimensions. 7. **Paintings** A quick survey of evolving painting techniques illustrates how artists began to prioritize the aesthetic surface rather than merely striving for realism, weaving together artistic innovation with philosophical thought. **Conclusion & Recommendations** Overall, "The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 1)" is a thoughtfully crafted course that successfully bridges literature, philosophy, and the arts to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of modernity and its implications. The curriculum is rich with historical context and critical analysis, making it particularly suitable for those interested in European intellectual history, philosophy enthusiasts, and students of literature. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of modern thought and its transformation into postmodernism. It offers a stimulating blend of theoretical frameworks and textual analysis, fostering rich discussions and reflective learning experiences. Whether you're a student, a professional in the humanities, or simply a curious learner, this course will undoubtedly enhance your perspective on the complexities of modern life and culture. Dive in, engage with the materials, and prepare to challenge your understanding of what it means to be modern.

Syllabus

Course Pages

“The Modern and the Postmodern Part I” covers the first half of a full semester course on European history, literature and philosophy. We begin with Immanuel Kant and Jean Jacques Rousseau and conclude with Friedrich Nietzsche and Charles Baudelaire and a very quick look at painting at the time they wrote. Although in the final week themes of postmodernism begin to emerge, a discussion of how modernism becomes postmodernism is at the heart of Part II of this course.

Why is philosophy relevant to modernity? Through reading Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Immanuel Kant, we examine philosophy as a reflection on modernity and progress.

Using Rousseau’s Discourse on the Origins of Inequality, we study how the pursuit of knowledge is related to the politics of inequality.

Karl Marx is our focus here as we move from a consideration of ideas to a confrontation with alienation, class struggle and revolution.

We read Flaubert’s Madame Bovary as a reflection on convention, stupidity and art in the wake of the failures of mid-19th century revolution.

We situate Charles Darwin’s great achievement in the context of the English Enlightenment traditions and reimaging the world without a goal for change.

Through an examination of Charles Baudelaire and Friedrich Nietzsche, we focus on an aesthetic embrace of intensity instead of search for the “really real.”

A Quick Survey of how advanced painting moved toward a consideration of the surface of the canvas and away from a quest for the most realistic representation of the world.