HIS/PHI 3930:Philosophy of History

David L. Rouse
Office: Z216
376-4577

TEXTS:   Jean-Francois Lyotard. The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1984. Paul Rabinow, editor. The Faucault Reader. New York: Pantheon, 1984. Immanuel Wallerstein. The Essential Wallerstein. New York: The New Press, 2000.

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE: The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to contemporary problems in the philosophy of history and to explore how history and philosophy as academic disciplines interact with one another.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING: Students are expected to attend class and do the assigned readings before each class session. The course grade will be based on a mid-term, a final exam, and a term paper. Each will count as 25% of the course grade. The remaining 25% will be based on class participation. The term paper topic is to be mutually agreed upon between instructor and student. History majors are encouraged to do a critical analysis of a major historian's work.

Grades are assigned as follows.

92-100 A
90-91.9 A-
88-89.9 B+
82-87.9 B
80-81.9 B-
78-79.9 C+
72-78.9 C
70-71.9 C-
68-69.9 D+
62-68.9 D
60-61.9 D-
0-59.9 F

Students are expected to know and abide by the rules of The University of Virginia's College at Wise, including the Honor Code. Cheating on an assignment can result in a grade of "F" independent of any sanction that may be imposed by the Honor Court.

If you need course adaptation or accommodation because of a disability or if you have emergency medical information to share with me, please make an appointment to talk with me as soon as possible. To make inquiries regarding disability services, please contact Whitney Wells, ADA Coordinator, at 276-328-0265 or wew3x@uvawise.edu , or visit Academic Support Services in Zehmer Hall.

 

Schedule

Date

Topic/Assignment

23 Aug

General Introduction to the Course

28

Survey of Historiography

30

Survey of Historiography

04 Sept

Lyotard, "The Post-Modern Condition"

06

Discussion

11

Foucault, pp. 32-75

13

Foucault, pp. 76-120

18

Foucault, pp. 124-167

20

Foucault, pp. 170-205

25

Foucault, pp. 206-238

27

Foucault, pp. 239-256

02 Oct

Discussion

04

Review

16

Midterm

18

Essential Wallerstein, pp. xi-xxii

23

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 3-32

25

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 33-68

30

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 71-111

World Map Hapsburg Empire Dutch Empire British Empire

01 Nov

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 112-148

06

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 149-184

08

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 185-220

13

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 221-289

15

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 293-323

20

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 324-352

27

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 355-386

29

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 387-434; Term papers due

04 Dec

Essential Wallerstein, pp. 435-47

06

Review

  Final Exam