More Syllabus Advice
So, I think I have changed my mind a bit on the 19th Century class. I don't think I am going to order the Pinkard book for the class. It is a great book, and will still influence the way I do the class, but I think it is a bit too large to use for solely introductory purposes. I think, rather, that I am going to begin the class by reading a shorter essay by Robert Pippin on the "Kantian Aftermath."
I am also now strongly considering reading some pre-Hegel primary sources. Continuum has a book called Philosophy of German Idealism that has selections from Fichte, Jacobi, and Schelling (including perhaps the most kick-assedly titled philosophy essay ever, Fichte's "A Crystal Clear Report to the General Public Concerning the Actual Essence of the Newest Philosophy: An Attempt to Force the Reader to Understand").
What do you all think of reading selections from Fichte, Jacobi, and/or Schelling in an undergrad class?
I also could use a bit of advice on one of my other classes. Next fall I am also teaching a lower-level class called "European Worldviews," in which we will basically read a few philosophy texts, divided up into the categories(/"worldviews") "Enlightenment," "Romanticism," and "Existentialism." For each of the categories, we will also look at how the philosophy influenced/meshed with arts and literature.
In terms of determining what to teach in the class, I have a good handle on the following things:
Can any of you suggest something for the following?:
Any and all help is greatly appreciated...
I am also now strongly considering reading some pre-Hegel primary sources. Continuum has a book called Philosophy of German Idealism that has selections from Fichte, Jacobi, and Schelling (including perhaps the most kick-assedly titled philosophy essay ever, Fichte's "A Crystal Clear Report to the General Public Concerning the Actual Essence of the Newest Philosophy: An Attempt to Force the Reader to Understand").
What do you all think of reading selections from Fichte, Jacobi, and/or Schelling in an undergrad class?
I also could use a bit of advice on one of my other classes. Next fall I am also teaching a lower-level class called "European Worldviews," in which we will basically read a few philosophy texts, divided up into the categories(/"worldviews") "Enlightenment," "Romanticism," and "Existentialism." For each of the categories, we will also look at how the philosophy influenced/meshed with arts and literature.
In terms of determining what to teach in the class, I have a good handle on the following things:
- the Enlightenment philosophy texts
- the Romantic art/literature
- the Existentialist philosophy and art/lit
Can any of you suggest something for the following?:
- Works of art (including music) and/or literature to pair with the
Enlightenment?
- a philosophical work to pair with Romanticism that might be readily
accessible to non-majors?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated...
Posted by J.C. Berendzen on
Wednesday March 22, 2006 at 11:31am
2) I'll still go with Schiller's letters. Something like some of Wordsworth or (particularly) Coleridge's theoretical writings that accompanied their poetry might be easier (although I'm not even convinced of this). Although you could probably also cobble together shorter pieces from the Schlegel brothers' fragments and/or short essays by Emerson which might give you a little more flexibility).
You know you would be cool if you assigned Holderlin's theory of "Change of Tonalities" ---- It would be a real trip to then compare this with Goethe's more accessible (and actually potentially a good pick) color theory and try to derive a theory of genre.
1) The philosophical material I will cover for the Enlightenment segment will surely include Kant's "What is Enlightenment?" (a text that should probably be included in all classes taught at all times anywhere...), and something French (probably Diderot). Not sure about the Scottish enlightenment (probably depends on if I use a reader...). The Kantian view will be most stressed...
2) I would prefer to use a sort novel for the literary romanticism segment, rather than poetry. That is based solely on my own preferences. I suppose perhaps I might combine both by reading Rousseau's Julie--but do I really want to teach something with the sub-title "Letters of Two Lovers Who Live in a Small Town at the Foot of the Alps"? Blech...
2) There will be no Holderlin, nor derivations of theories of genre...
Would the theme of fatalism not conflict with the largely Kantian reading I am going to give of the enlightenment? (this is an honest question, as I have not read Jacques the Fatalist.)
As an aside, I think I have decided to forego getting the Hegel Reader in favor of using Yovel's recent translation, with running commentary, of the Preface to the Phenomenology. I can then get the other parts of the Phenomenology I want to use, and the parts of the Phil of Right I want to use, on-line. The one punch in the gut is that the Phenomenology available on line is the Baillie Phenomenology of Mind version. I will probably have to adjust the translation. On the good side, though, it is the "lordship and bondage" translation...
--as far as literature is concerned, satire might be the best way to go. Thus Diderot and Voltaire might be obvious choices. But what do you guys think of doing Swift(Gulliver's Travels?) ?
--If I want to get really highbrow and abstract with the discussion of enlightenment art, I could have them listen to Haydn's string quartets, and discuss the way in which the interplay of the instruments is meant to resemble a public discussion. I could also pair this with the way in which Haydn added attention grabbing aspects to his works, because they were played in performances for the general public, and then tie this into Kant's What is Enlightenment.
--To answer Ammon's earlier question about classicism: yes, it might fit. For example, I might show a few of David's paintings and discuss the ways in which he was rebelling against rococco's excesses...
I very much like the string quartet idea (I have seriously been considering writing an essay on the idea of music as a language only through chamber music). If you're not totally wedded to Haydn, I might suggest Mozart's "Dissonance" Quartet (if that's the one I'm looking for --- implicit shoutout to Wooster) --- no. 14 or 15 I believe, which was (if I recall correctly) dedicated to Haydn and certainly was written to be played with him.