FWS: Optimism of the Intellect

Catalog description

Optimism of the Intellect: this FWS will invert Antonio Gramsci's famous phrase, 'pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will." Instead, the FWS will argue that any optimism as it relates to political thought must depart from optimism of the intellect. It is only with and through thinking that it becomes possible to be in the world in a different way. This course focuses on learning about and developing skills in writing. The course expects that the comprehension of the subject matter students will derive from the course readings, enabling the students to demonstrate their analytical proficiency through their writing.