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Academic Year 2003/2004

The Treason of the Intellectuals: Power, Ethics, and Cultural Production
HIST 291 SP
Crosslistings:
COL 291

In his 1928 essay Julia Benda railed against the "treason" of the European intellectual establishment who abandoned disinterested intellectual activity in favor of political and nationalist engagement. In this course we will explore the relation of intellectuals to politics and the ethical ramifications thereof. Beginning with the Dreyfus Affair the course will emphasize political involvement in France and Germany and focus on the relationship between political action and intellectual and cultural production. Figures to be considered are: Ernst Junger, Carl Schmitt, Martin Heidegger, Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Hannah Arendt, Leo Strauss, Emile Zola, Julian Benda, Maurice Blanchot, Robert Brasillach, Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Maurice Merlean-Ponty, and Raymond Aron. We will investigate Emmanuel Levinas and the possibilities of political inactivity.

MAJOR READINGS

Authors to be read include (but will not be limited to): Ernst Junger, Carl Schmitt, Martin Heidegger, Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Hannah Arendt, Leo Strauss, Emile Zola, Julian Benda, Maurice Blanchot, Robert Brasillach, Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Raymond Aron, Emmanuel Levinas.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Class attendance and participation are essential to pass this course.

At least on class presentation.

Two short papers and one research paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Only COL majors will be allowed to take this course on a credit/unsatisfactory basis. All others must take this course for a grade.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS HIST    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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