HS474: Postmodernism and Philosophy (Autumn 2019-20)

HS474: Postmodernism and Philosophy (Autumn 2019-20)

Course Name: Postmodernism and Philosophy

Course Code: HS474

Credits: 6

Course Instructor: Prof. Pravesh G. Jung

Course Type: Institute Elective (Theory)

Prerequisite: None

Course Content: The first half of the semester involved laying the foundation of postmodernism and the philosophical ideas, (like modernism) leading up to it. We did readings of modern thinkers like Plato, Locke, Bacon, Hume, Descartes and Kant. This was followed up with the postmodern ideas of thinkers like Nietzsche, Foucault and Derrida in the second half of the semester. 

Useful Books: There are no recommended textbooks for this course. Class notes are absolutely a life saver and the only place to read from for the exams.

Lectures: The attendance in the lectures is compulsary, and it is quite necessary since there are no textbooks or resources to study the course contents directly from. Prof Jung connects ideas of different thinkers and puts them across in a way that you wouldn't find anywhere else. His lectures are super engaging and fun. He mostly uses the blackboard for teaching.

Assignments: There was one assignment at the end of the course where we had to pick up any topic and connect the postmodern thinking with it. We had to write an essay and submit it towards the end of the semester.

Exams: There was just a midsem and  an endsem. His exams are mostly descriptive and require a lot of thinking and putting together the concepts taught in class in a structured manner. He insists on his students learning how to write well, with a proper flow and clarity in writing, and doesn't bother much about the grades. So his grading policy is not really chill.

Online study materials: Some of the doubts can be cleared by reading about the ideas of the philosophers online. There are plenty of websites which explain them in simple language, but is no substitute for his lectures.

Pro tips: Approach the professor for the doubts anytime you have them. He is more than willing to spend extra time in discussing with his students and most of these discussions are extremely insightful and interesting.
Do not take this course if you are looking for an elective that would be chill and give you an easy grade.

Personal comments: It can be a pretty interesting course that makes you question reality and life, so be prepared for a roller coaster ride when you take it up. Prof Jung is hands down the best professor I have had in my insti life and I think everyone should take a course with him, if they have an opportunity to do so. It is a wonderful experience and quite refreshing from the usual courses that we take in insti. It helped me gain a perspective about everyday things from a philosophical point of view and also appreciate humanities in general.  

Respondent: Sowmya