HIST 4258 Suspicious Minds: Marx, Nietzsche, Freud
This course examines three influential and infamous intellectuals -- Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Sigmund Freud -- whose critical thought has indelibly marked the world since the mid-nineteenth century. In addition to reconstructing these thinkers basic projects within their historical contexts, we will assess their long-term influences and investigate their untimely, even controversial resonance today. Beyond advocacy or denunciation lies understanding and explanation. Students can consider this course as a gateway to (but not a requirement for) HIST4227: Critical Theory and Post-Structuralism (spring 2027).
Course overview
- Department
- History
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Both
- Offered
- Every Fall
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- History core I or II, or equivalent in AP credits.
Requirements fulfilled
- History: Free history electives (two courses at the 2000 or 4000 level) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- History: LAMA electives in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, or Africa (two courses at the 2000 or 4000 level) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- History: U.S. History elective (one course at the 2000 or 4000 level) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- History: Upper-division history electives (three courses at the 4000 level) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.53 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.82 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 1
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2022 | Julian Bourg | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 17 of 25 |