American Thought 4219-AW107
This course provides students with a general introduction to the history of American thought, focusing on the major American Philosophers from the Colonial era to the 20th century.
The purpose of this course is to give a general overview of American Thought: from Puritanism to rise of Postmodernism. The main focus will be on American philosophy, but conceived in an accessible, non-technical way, and with an emphasis on its socio-political aspect. We will try to show that, despite strong European influences, American thought is unique and in no way reducible to philosophies that dominated the thought of the Old Continent. The series of lectures will start with Puritan Covenantal Theology, which formed the foundations of American political thinking; go through American Enlightenment and The Founding Fathers; continue through “Young America” of R. W. Emerson and H. D.Thoreau; explore the truly American philosophical invention that is Pragmatism; analyze the theoretical impact of the immigrants after and finally tackle the issue of Postmodernism.
1. The Bible
2. The American Puritans
3. The Great Awakening/American Puritan II
4. The American Enlightenment
5. The American Enlightenment con’t
6. The American Enlightenment con’t
7. American Mind under Democracy
8. American Mind under Democracy con’t
9. The Gilded Age and Industrialization on the American Mind
10. The Gilded Age and Industrialization on the American Mind con’t
11. Pragmatism
12. Pragmatism con’t
13. The invasion of 20th Century German Thought
14. German Invasion Continued.
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
1. Knowledge
Upon completing this course a student:
a) has in-depth knowledge about most important intellectual currents in the history of American thought,
b) recognizes complexity of interrelations between social and philosophical ideas and social conditions and political changes in the USA,
c) knows the essential terminology in areas of philosophy, sociology and political thought in English.
2. Skills:
Upon completing this course a student:
a) is able to creatively interpret an important philosophical text to present its most important theses,
b) is able to critically use selected theories and concepts to explain specificity and originality of the American intellectual heritage,
c) can compile and present results of his/her own independent research focusing on a given question.
3. Competences:
Upon completing this course a student:
a) understands and appreciates the complexity of the American philosophical and social thought as well as its relations with European thought.
b) is able to formulate his/her opinion regarding selected important philosophical and social debates in the U.S.,
c) helps other students in understanding and interpreting complex issues from the American intellectual history.
Assessment criteria
Assessment:
1. Regular attendance. Two absences are allowed without consequences. In case of greater number of absences, some additional reading or an extra assignment paper may be required.
2. Active participation in class discussions, based first of all on assigned reading.
3. Class presentation (required). Each presentation - based on assigned reading - may be prepared by one or two students, depending on class size.
4. Final written examination (class essay).
Grade distribution (approximately):
Attendance, participation in class discussions: 25%
Class presentation: 30%
Final examination: 45%
In order to complete the course, student needs to prepare a class presentation and receive at least a passing grade (“3”) from the final exam.
Practical placement
None.
Bibliography
King James Bible
Cotton Mather Magnalia Christi Americana & The Christian Philosopher
Jonathan Edwards “The Nature of True Virtue”, “Freedom of the Will” and Dissertation Concerning the End for Which God Created the World
Gertrude Himmelfarb's The Roads to Modernity
Benjamin Franklin Autobiography and Poor Richard’s Almanack
Thomas Jefferson Autobiography & Notes on the State of Virginia, The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Paine Common Sense & The Age of Reason
Tocqueville Democracy in America Vol II pt 1
Emerson “The American Scholar” & Essays
William Graham Sumner The Forgotten Man & What Social Classes owe to Each Other
Leonard “Origins of the myths of Social Darwinism”
Thurston Veblen Theory of the Leisure Class
Pierce “Fixation of Belief” and What Pragmatism Is?
William James Pragmatism
Hickman “Introduction to Dewey”
John Dewey “Ego as Cause” & Experience and Nature
Bloom Closing of the American Mind