CHMN394
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Byung-Chul Han: Critical Perspectives
Course Title
Byung-Chul Han
Course Long Title
Byung-Chul Han: Critical Perspectives
Course Typically Offered
FA - Fall Only
Min Credit Hours
3
Description
Byung-Chul Han: Critical Perspectives
This course will focus on the work of a single thinker: the Korean-born, German philosopher Byung-Chul Han. Since 2005, Han has distinguished himself by a steady output of short, pocket-sized books (some twenty titles so far) about urgent and timely topics ranging from "burnout" and "the transparency society" -- in two of his most famous works -- to what he has theorized as "psychopolitics" and "the aesthetics of injury." His work has also developed a focus on Far Eastern thought, in particular Zen Buddhism and Daoism. A writer who, in a time of general disorientation, has been seeking to convert his readers toward the philosophical project of careful thinking, Han in his work reminds us of the classical origins of philosophy as the focused pursuit of wisdom in close relation to the quickly developing societies around us. But are Han's diagnoses of our contemporary situation correct? And what do we think of the solutions he proposes in response? Course requirements include weekly reading and writing. Students will read two books by Han in full, as well as excerpts from all of Han's other books.
This course will focus on the work of a single thinker: the Korean-born, German philosopher Byung-Chul Han. Since 2005, Han has distinguished himself by a steady output of short, pocket-sized books (some twenty titles so far) about urgent and timely topics ranging from "burnout" and "the transparency society" -- in two of his most famous works -- to what he has theorized as "psychopolitics" and "the aesthetics of injury." His work has also developed a focus on Far Eastern thought, in particular Zen Buddhism and Daoism. A writer who, in a time of general disorientation, has been seeking to convert his readers toward the philosophical project of careful thinking, Han in his work reminds us of the classical origins of philosophy as the focused pursuit of wisdom in close relation to the quickly developing societies around us. But are Han's diagnoses of our contemporary situation correct? And what do we think of the solutions he proposes in response? Course requirements include weekly reading and writing. Students will read two books by Han in full, as well as excerpts from all of Han's other books.