We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2)

This course examines how the idea of "the modern" develops at the end of the 18th century in European philosophy and literature, and how being modern (or progressive, or hip) became one of the crucial criteria for understanding and evaluating cultural change. Are we still in modernity, or have we moved beyond the modern to the postmodern?

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

Two deals to help you save

We found two deals and offers that may be relevant to this course.

Save money when you learn. All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

Valid until December 12

Annual Subscription Savings

Unlock programs from Google, Microsoft, and IBM and join 77% of learners who reported positive career outcomes.

Only $239!

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Pages

Intensity and the Ordinary: Sex, Death, Aggression and Guilt

With a focus on Civilization and its Discontents, we examine how Freud’s theories tried to expose profound instincts as they appeared in daily life.

Intensity and the Ordinary: Art, Loss, Forgiveness

A reading of Virginia Woolf’s modernist novel To the Lighthouse shows how giving up the search for the “really real” can liberate one to attend to the everyday.

The Postmodern Everyday

We go back to Ralph Waldo Emerson and forward to Ludwig Wittgenstein to consider how forms of life and language games need to foundation to be compelling.

From Critical Theory to Postmodernism

Through a consideration of Max Horkheimer & Theodor Adorno along with Michel Foucault, we confront the philosophical effort to escape from totality in order to understand the politics of control.

Paintings II

A very brief consideration of how artists are responding to the loss of foundations to produce work that redefines art.

Postmodern Identities

We examine short pieces by Judith Butler and Slavjo Zizek to understand how identities get formed (and performed) in a world without foundations.

Late-term Review

Review of all the thinkers we have studied in Parts I and II of the class, along with some complementary material.

Postmodern Pragmatisms

After postmodern playfulness, or alongside it, we see the resurgence of the pragmatic impulse to return philosophy to real human problems.

Extra (Optional) Writing Assignment

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the development of the concept of "the modern" in European philosophy and literature, providing insight into the historical evolution of cultural change

Suitable for learners with a strong foundation in European philosophy and literature, as the course delves into complex theories and concepts

Examines the interplay between modernism and postmodernism, offering a critical lens for understanding contemporary cultural shifts

Addresses philosophical concepts of totality and control, equipping learners with analytical tools for dissecting power structures

Offers insights into the evolution of art and its response to the loss of foundational structures in modern and postmodern eras

Engages with works by renowned thinkers such as Freud, Virginia Woolf, Max Horkheimer, and Michel Foucault, providing exposure to influential perspectives

Save this course

Save The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

Reviews summary

Modern and postmodern philosophy

learners say that this engaging and challenging philosophy course is largely positive. They particularly enjoyed the written assignments and the way that Professor Roth brings new thinkers and ideas into the curriculum. Students remark that the course was well-paced, with clear explanations and relevant discussions of modern and postmodern philosophy. Reviewers also mention that the course encourages critical thinking, allowing learners to explore different perspectives. Overall, reviewers say that this course is a valuable learning experience that they would recommend to others.

Rigorous and thought-provoking assignments

"The course itself was excellent, but there was no discussion of the topics in the forum, only requests for peers to review assignments, a process I ended up resorting to as well on a couple of occasions because of the significant delay in assignments being reviewed."

"The peer reviewed assignments were hard work but made sure I had understood the lectures - indeed they were a major component in my learning."

"This course (Part 1 and 2) provides an in-depth review of different ways of thinking about the world as described in literature and media arts. As such, it is valuable as a check on the certainty we all want to feel about our ideas and notions."

Well-organized and easy to follow

"This course (Part 1 and 2) provides an in-depth review of different ways of thinking about the world as described in literature and media arts."

"The materials presented in this course can be a way to know more about thinkers. Basic familiarity helps us to use some of the theories that are suitable for comparative study."

"Finding Coursera has literally transformed my existence as a retiree, no less, and this course has been fascinating with Michael Roth as course leader excellent throughout."

Thought-provoking and insightful readings

"The second part of the course was also incredible. Professor Roth, brilliant as in the first. Highly recommended course for all who love the humanities."

"This course is superb! It's suitable for people who are new to this area of study, but because it takes the material in original areas, it is very useful for people who are familiar already. Professor Roth is an engaging and enthusiastic presenter who really draws you in."

"I found this one of the more challenging MOOCs I've taken. Some of the readings were fairly complex although most were enjoyable."

Engaging and enthusiastic instructor

"Professor Roth, brilliant as in the first. Highly recommended course for all who love the humanities."

"Professor Roth made tricky concepts clear and his enthusiasm and passion were contagious."

Delayed feedback on assignments

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) with these activities:

Review of Psychology of Personality

Show steps

Freud’s theories tried to expose profound instincts as they appeared in daily life.

Browse courses on Personality Psychology

Show steps

Re-read notes from an introductory college course on the Psychology of Personality
Review a summary of Freud’s psychoanalysis theory
Watch a video summarizing the foundations of Personality Psychology

To the Lighthouse

Show steps

In her modernist novel, Virginia Woolf shows how giving up the search for the “really real” can liberate one to attend to the everyday.

View Orlando: A Biography (Annotated) (Original 1928... on Amazon

Show steps

Read a summary of To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Read the first two chapters of the novel

Discuss the characteristics of Postmodernism with a classmate

Show steps

Through a consideration of Max Horkheimer & Theodor Adorno along with Michel Foucault, we confront the philosophical effort to escape from totality in order to understand the politics of control.

Browse courses on Modernism

Show steps

Find a classmate who is also taking this course
Schedule a time to meet up
Discuss the characteristics of Postmodernism

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Create a Modern Art-style collage

Show steps

Explore the characteristics of Modern Art and create a collage of your own using those techniques.

Browse courses on Modern Art

Show steps

Find a free online tutorial on how to create a collage in the style of Modern Art
Gather your materials
Follow the steps in the tutorial to create your collage

Attend an exhibition of contemporary art

Show steps

Discuss how artists are expanding upon and challenging concepts of Modern and Postmodern art.

Browse courses on Modern Art

Show steps

Find an exhibition of contemporary art in your area
Visit the exhibition
Take your time to look at the art and read the descriptions
Talk to other people at the exhibition about the art

Analyze a sample of postmodern art

Show steps

Consider how artists are responding to the loss of foundations to produce work that redefines art.

Browse courses on Modern Art

Show steps

Find a piece of postmodern art that you are unfamiliar with
Analyze the work using the elements of art and design
Write a brief description of your analysis

Write a blog post about the relevance of Modernism today

Show steps

Shows how Modernism is still relevant to art and literature in the 21st century.

Browse courses on Modernism

Show steps

Choose a specific aspect of Modernism to focus on
Research the topic and gather evidence to support your claims
Write a draft of your blog post
Revise and edit your blog post
Publish your blog post

Contribute to an open-source project on Modernism or Postmodernism

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of Modernism and Postmodernism by contributing to a community of scholars working on related topics.

Browse courses on Modernism

Show steps

Find an open-source project on Modernism or Postmodernism
Read the project documentation
Identify an area where you can contribute
Make your contribution to the project
Submit your contribution for review

Career center

Learners who complete The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Philosopher

Philosophers study the fundamental nature of reality, knowledge, and morality. They may work in a variety of settings, including universities, research institutions, and think tanks. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Philosophers because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that philosophy has developed and changed over time. This course can help Philosophers to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philosopher

Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. They may specialize in a particular field, such as history, literature, or philosophy. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Professors because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that knowledge has been produced and disseminated over time. This course can help Professors to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their teaching and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural Anthropologists study the customs, beliefs, and behaviors of different cultures. They may work in a variety of settings, including universities, research institutions, and government agencies. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Cultural Anthropologists because it provides a deep understanding of how different cultures have developed and changed over time. This course can help Cultural Anthropologists to better understand the different ways that people live and think, and to develop a more nuanced understanding of the human condition.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cultural Anthropologist

Historian

Historians research and write about the past. They may work in a variety of settings, including universities, research institutions, and museums. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Historians because it provides a deep understanding of how different periods of history have been interpreted and understood over time. This course can help Historians to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Sociologist

Sociologists study the social behavior and institutions of human beings. They may work in a variety of settings, including universities, research institutions, and government agencies. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Sociologists because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that society has been organized and understood over time. This course can help Sociologists to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist

Religious Studies Scholar

Religious Studies Scholars study the beliefs and practices of different religions. They may work in a variety of settings, including universities, research institutions, and religious organizations. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Religious Studies Scholars because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that religion has been interpreted and understood over time. This course can help Religious Studies Scholars to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Religious Studies Scholar

Public Historian

Public Historians use historical research to inform public policy and decision-making. They may work in a variety of settings, including museums, historical sites, and government agencies. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Public Historians because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that history has been used to shape public opinion and policy. This course can help Public Historians to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Historian

Librarian

Librarians help people find and access information. They may work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, school libraries, and university libraries. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Librarians because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that information has been organized and accessed over time. This course can help Librarians to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Art Critic

Art Critics evaluate and interpret works of art, often writing reviews or essays that are published in newspapers, magazines, or online. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Art Critics because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that art has been interpreted and understood over time. This course can help Art Critics to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Critic

Curator

Curators are responsible for the care and management of collections of objects, such as works of art, historical artifacts, or scientific specimens. They may work in a variety of settings, including museums, libraries, and archives. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Curators because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that objects have been collected, interpreted, and displayed over time. This course can help Curators to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curator

Museum Educator

Museum Educators develop and deliver educational programs for museum visitors. They may work in a variety of settings, including museums, historical sites, and nature centers. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Museum Educators because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that museums have been used to educate the public over time. This course can help Museum Educators to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Editor

Editors oversee the creation and publication of written content, such as books, magazines, and newspapers. They may work in a variety of settings, including publishing houses, magazines, and newspapers. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Editors because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that texts have been written, edited, and published over time. This course can help Editors to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and publish news stories for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They may specialize in a particular area, such as politics, business, or sports. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Journalists because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that news has been reported and consumed over time. This course can help Journalists to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Writer

Writers create written content, such as books, articles, and scripts. They may work in a variety of settings, including publishing houses, magazines, and newspapers. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Writers because it provides a deep understanding of the different ways that writing has been used to communicate and persuade over time. This course can help Writers to develop a more informed and sophisticated approach to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Archivist

Archivists organize and maintain historical documents and artifacts. They may work in a variety of settings, including libraries, museums, and government agencies. The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2) may be useful for Archivists because it provides a deep understanding of how ideas and values have changed over time. This course can help Archivists to better understand the context of the documents and artifacts they are working with, and to develop a more nuanced understanding of the past.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Reading list

We've selected 26 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2).

Post-Truth, Scepticism & Power

Save

This comprehensive reference work provides a wide-ranging overview of the key concepts, movements, and debates in postmodernism.

The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2)

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Modern and postmodern philosophy

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses