Andrew Feenberg: Courses on Herbert Marcuse, Frankfurt School Critical Theory, Alternative Modernity, and Philosophy of Technology

SYLLABUS

Selected Courses: 1999 - to date

Philosophy of Technology: CMNS 857

This course will introduce philosophy of technology through literature, major texts in the Continental tradition, and recent approaches to technology studies in the social sciences. We will begin with Aldous Huxley’s famous novel Brave New World which lays out in narrative form the dystopian terms of 20th Century technology critique. The domination of man by machine is the theme. A dystopian logic of technology underlies the philosophical work of Heidegger and his student Marcuse. Marcuse’s theory, however, opens up the possibility of a radical transformation of technology. With Habermas we have a very different attempt to come to terms with the existing technology by limiting its reach. The contributions of recent science and technology studies are represented here by articles by Pinch and Bijker and Latour, and a collection of case studies by Collins and Pinch. The constructivist approach is non-determinist and focuses on empirical study of cases. We will then read my recent book which draws on all these sources to present an approach I call “critical constructivism.” We will conclude with the contents of a special section of the Information Society Journal in which several authors apply critical constructivism to the study of information technology. [Full Syllabus] Fall 2010

Seminar in Frankfurt School Critical Theory

This course introduces Frankfurt School Critical Theory through the writings of Benjamin, Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse, and Habermas. The course also includes background readings in Marx and Lukács. The course presupposes some knowledge of Marx’s work and the philosophical tradition. If you do not know Marx, at the very least read Marx and Engels' Communist Manifesto carefully to get an idea what you’ve been missing. A minimal acquaintance with modern philosophy (Descartes to Kant) will be very helpful. I will lecture on the philosophical background and the more difficult texts. [Full Syllabus] Fall 2007

Philosophy of Technology: CMNS 857

This course will introduce philosophy of technology through literature, major texts in the Continental tradition, and recent approaches to technology studies in the social sciences. We will begin with Aldous Huxley’s famous novel Brave New World which lays out in narrative form the dystopian terms of 20th Century technology critique. The domination of man by machine is the theme. A dystopian logic of technology underlies the philosophical work of Heidegger and his student Marcuse. Marcuse’s theory, however, opens up the possibility of a radical transformation of technology. With Habermas we have a very different attempt to come to terms with the existing technology by limiting its reach. Foucault approaches similar issues of science and technology based domination from a more empirical standpoint. He relates the acquisition of social knowledge to the exercise of power through procedures and devices. His work will help us to interpret the contributions of recent science and technology studies, represented here by Pinch and Bijker and Latour. We will conclude with my own book which draws on all these sources to present an approach I call “critical constructivism.” [Full Syllabus] Winter 2006

Alternative Modernity CMNS 858-5

This course will consider the possibility of alternative modernities from the standpoint of a critical constructivist approach to technology studies. We will challenge deterministic theories of modernization and convergence of all advanced societies by examining a variety of theoretical and cultural works. Constructivist technology studies shows the influence of values on design in the case of many particular devices. In this course we will attempt to go beyond case histories to consider the larger context in which modernities are understood and developed. This approach opens up the field of research very widely. The materials of the course are extremely diverse and will challenge the students to learn about everything from medical ethics to Japanese history, Critical Theory to French postmodernism. [Full Syllabus] Spring 2003

Philosophy of Technology 555

This course will introduce philosophy of technology through literature, major texts in the Continental tradition, and recent approaches to technology studies. [Full Syllabus] Spring 2003

Philosophy of Technology 333

Industrial society is an experiment with a brief past and an uncertain future. Other forms of human society--tribal and feudal societies--have proven their ability to survive over thousands of years. Our society is the first to base itself on artificial sources of power and mechanical means of production. In less than two centuries, this new form of society has transformed the globe and made the human race capable of realizing its highest ideals but also powerful enough to destroy itself. [Full Syllabus] Fall 1999

Phil. 506

This is a course on 20th century existentialism, Critical Theory, and postmodernism. The main philosophers covered include Heidegger, Lukacs, Adorno and Horkheimer, Habermas and Foucault. The theme is the response to the crisis of scientific-technical rationalism and the breakdown of traditional concepts of individuality and history. This response at first takes the form of attempts to create "concrete" philosophies that focus on the personal and socio-historical dimensions of human life. The century is ending with new developments related to the turn to language through communication theory or linguistics. [Full Syllabus] Fall 1999

Andrew Feenberg

Canada Research Chair in Philosophy of Technology

School of Communication

Simon Fraser University

British Columbia, CANADA