PHI 372 - The Postmodern Impulse

3 credit(s)
Explores the history of postmodernism, after a brief review of modernism and modernity. Examines distinct but overlapping varieties of postmodernism, some from fine arts; others from philosophy, history, or social science. Themes cutting across the diverse strands of postmodernism include the ideas of representation, image, and sign, as well as ideas of power, multiplicity, and corporeality. Questions addressed range from how we are to read John Cage’s music, or Disneyland, to how we ought to situate ourselves in relation to world capitalism, identity politics, and cyberspace. Other movements severely critical of modernism are noted (e.g., pragmatism and critical theory). Readings include modern authors (Marx, Baudelaire, Le Corbusier, Nietzsche) as well as postmodern thinkers, such as Venturi, Derrida, Foucault, Lyotard, Irigaray, Baudrillard, Deleuze, and others.
Prerequisite(s): One second level PHI course other than PHI 220, or B+ or higher earned in one first-level PHI course; or permission of instructor.

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