The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 1)

Really enjoyed this excellent course which gives you a broad overview on the various themes in Art, Lierature, Science and Philosophy which made our modern world. Michael Roth is a fantastic lecturer, so knowledgeable yet accessible also. It was fascinating watching him search for the precise word he wanted to express his thoughts. Wish some of our English/European academics had his breadth and humanity. Well done Wesleyian!!

Really good course! Michael S. ROth's lectures are of very high quality, informative, well thought through, and not boring at all. The reading materials are carefully selected and well explained for people who are new to literature, but also experienced readers found their match in the assignments' questions and comparisons.

Brilliant!

I only audited this course but have to say that the prof's lectures were top notch and the material covered was excellent and most provocative. Strong activity in the discussion threads too.

A illuminating class on our conditions in a world that changes at an exponential speed.
To quote one of the readings:"Modernity can best be grasped as an attitude, an ethos.
- This ironic heroization of the present, this transfiguring play of freedom with reality, this ascetic elaboration of the self — Baudelaire does not imagine that these have any place in society itself, or in the body politic. They can only be produced in another, a different place, which Baudelaire calls art."––– "What is Enlightenment" Foucault

Exciting introduction to some of history's great thinkers. The professor did a great job of describing the context and culture during the time of each of the authors. This course has made it much easier for me to select which books or lines of thought to pursue on my own. There is even a bonus lesson on some famous artwork!

The Lectures and Readings are excellent. The essay assignments are excellent as well for honing your writing skills. I'd recommend this clas for anyone who wants to learn more about literature and philosophy.

One of the best classes ever! Involving and interesting.

This course, and Part 2 of the same name, is just fabulous. So interesting and broadening. I have learnt so much about the development of ideas and ways of seeing the world. What a great teacher Michael Roth is: engaging, enthusiastic and a master of breaking down complex ideas to assist our understanding of them.

It was awesome, best decision ever to take this class. It was a hard course to take (more demanding than I expected) but totally enriching and worth the effort.

It's a great class! The readings and essays take a lot of time, but stick with it and you'll learn a lot.

The reading list was great; the professor's lectures were enjoyable and substantive.

Excellent... it was interesting, fun and enlightening.

An effective and catchy overview of relevant thinkers which contributed to shape the culture and society of the 19th century. I am looking forward to starting the second part.

5 star course! thank you for the clear explanations, the dynamic delivery and the broadness and depth of your approach to the history of ideas.