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Academic Year 2005/2006

Cosmic Dissolution/Evolution?
COL 103 FA

This course examines the movement of central concepts, values, images, and institutions from the late Middle Ages to modern times. This succession may be viewed as progress, or as a breakdown, or as a series of conflicts. It may give rise to questions about the notion of a dominant culture or a univocal tradition; in any case, students will be encouraged to interpret the meaning of this sequence. Class discussion, opportunities for writing, and interdisciplinary work with literary, philosophical, historical, and other texts are emphasized.

MAJOR READINGS

Dante Alighieri, ON WORLD GOVERNMENT
Niccolo Machiavelli, THE PRINCE
Martin Luther, OPEN LETTER TO THE GERMAN NOBILITY
Anonymous, LAZARILLO DE TORMES
Denis Diderot, JACQUES, THE FATALIST
Mikhail Lermontov, A HERO FOR OUR TIME
Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO
Charles Darwin, ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES
Umberto Eco, FOUCAULT'S PENDULUM

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Several papers, 6-10 pages each.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Sophomores will be admitted during the Drop/Add period if places are available.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA COL    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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