This subject reflects on European cultural and intellectual life from the 1880s to the start of the Second World War and its relationship to European experiences of violence. It starts by examining the crisis of liberalism (1880-1914) and its cultural expressions in philosophy and art. It discusses the advent of nationalism, imperialism, total war as well as the intellectual roots and cultural manifestations of left and right totalitarianisms (Fascism, Nazism, Stalinism). It introduces Nietzsche, Freud and the notions of will, power, subconscious, art for art's sake, modernist art, revolutionary art, revolutionary vanguard, race, masses. Students read texts representative of the period... -- Course Website
Instructor: Dr Natalie Doyle
