The evidence of social discontent is today overwhelming.

From movements against imperialism and white supremacy to populist campaigns driven by decades of austerity and the scapegoating of migrants; and from the onset of climate anxiety and digital disassociation to doomsaying induced by rapid technological change – the only constant is today a sense of unease as likely to result in apathy as revolt.

And while cultural critics have long recognized the sources of social discontent, important questions remain about the relevance of past diagnoses and prescriptions for the problems of the present.

Are we today still capable of imagining a society better than our own? Can terms like ‘civilization’, ‘culture’ and ‘society’ still motivate contemporary thought and action? Should the political imaginary of the 1960s oblige us to continue that era’s long march through the institutions? Or take up the alternative imperative to turn on, tune in and drop out instead? Does the knowledge of discontent really make resistance possible – or are such experiences not also a source of enjoyment felt as we continue sabotaging our individual and collective interests?

In this course, we will address these questions through a wide range of philosophical, historical, scientific and literary sources. In the process, we will deal with such pressing contemporary issues as utopia and nihilism, consumerism and neocolonialism, youth culture and character typologies, ecological collapse and psychological self-management, patriarchy and internet culture. Our aim will be to develop a more critical and multidisciplinary philosophical perspective on current forms of discontent, and better understand the possible ways of addressing contemporary social problems. 

Everyone interested is encouraged to participate. No prior knowledge of the subject is required.

Because ideas will be discussed in relation to specific historical circumstances, and always in relation to the problems of the present, the course does not require any prior familiarity with philosophy. Instead, students are expected to regularly attend class meetings, and invited to reflect upon how the problems of the course might inform their own thinking and practice. Throughout the course, students will be expected to actively engage with the course material through reading, writing, discussion and related tasks.

Every two weeks students will be expected to submit a one-page reflection on the course readings– these can range from more academic to more exploratory and experimental forms of writing. Ideally, a student-produced zine will serve as the culminating activity for the course.

This course comprises the first part of a year-long seminar. The second part, “Society and Its Discontents II,” will be offered during the Summer semester. Students are free to participate in a single semester or both semesters of the year-long course.