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| Office: Atrium 267; x3028 | Section: 01; MW 2:00 - 3:15. |
| Email: esteinha@ix.netcom.com | Classroom: Wing 221 |
The 19th century was an age of fearless thought that produced great speculative metaphysical systems and radical new ideas. We start with Hegel, who developed the idea of history as progress towards a kind of extremity he called the Absolute. Then we'll turn to America and read Emerson. Finally, we'll spend the last part of the course dealing with the provocative thought of Nietzsche. The courageousness of 19th century thought is especially important as we face the uncertainty of the new millenium, and we will look at the past with our eyes turned towards the future.
If you have any problems that might affect your performance in the course at any time, please talk to me right away. If you have questions, ask me!
The course itself is a pilgrimage: we start out with the hard stuff and get easier. Of course, you're supposed to do the readings, come to class, and speak up.
There are no exams. You will do regular (biweekly) short (2pp.) writing assignments. I think this is better than a few big "term papers" since it's easier to keep up with the work. I accept late papers but there are penalties that increase with lateness.