Human Society and Modern Civilization:

History and Ideas of the Modern Society

Instructor: Gibung Kwon Ph. D.

Term: Spring 2009

Course Introduction:

This course examines ideational genesis and evolution of the modern society,
particularly its major institutions. It is designed to provide for the students a deep
understanding of the modern political and economic systems. As the students read
and discuss important classical and contemporary works on the subject, it is hoped
that they become better able to understand the foundational principles of the
modern global order of things (i.e., the organizations of states, people, and goods)
and to probe the future possibilities open to us in the 21st century.

Course Requirements:
Those taking this course are required to read the materials thoroughly and
participate in the class actively.
a) Class participation ― 30%
b) Presentation, individual or group ― 30%
c) Exam.& Term Paper ― 40%

Main Course Materials

(Listed below are the main texts for the topic which all the students are required
to read. For those scheduled to have a presentation, additional materials can be
freely consulted for the class.)

*G. Bataille, The Accursed Share: An Essay on General Economy.

N. Elias, The Civilizing Process.
J. Habermas, Philosophical Discourse of Modernity.
G. Hegel, Philosophy of Right.
*A. O. Hirschman, The Passion and the Interests.
*M. Foucault, The Oder of Things.
A. Giddens, The Consequences of Modernity.
*William Ophuls, Requiem for Modern Politics.
J. G. A. Pocock, Virtue, Commerce and History.
*K. Polany, The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of Our
Time.
*G. Simmel, The Philosophy of Money.
A. Smith, The Wealth of Nations.

1
-
 *Alain Touraine, Critique of Modernity.
M. Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.

Schedule:

1. Organizational Meeting: Week 1.

2. Dawn of Modernity: Week 2-3

*Karl Polany, The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of Our
Time.
*Norbert Elias, The Civilizing Process.
J. Habermas, Philosophical Discourse of Modernity.

3. Ideas and Origins of Modern Society: Week 4-5.

J. G. A. Pocock, Virtue, Commerce, and History, part. 1.
*A. O. Hirschman, The Passion and the Interests: Political Arguments for Capitalism
before its Triumph.

4. State and Civil Society: Week 6-7.

*Hobbes, Leviathan.
*Hegel, Philosophy of Right.

5. Classical Economy and Market: Week 8

*A. Smith, The Wealth of Nations, Intro. & Book 1, 5.
J. S. Mill, Principles of Political Economy, Book III, ch. iv xi.

6. Production and Value: Week 9.

*Marx, Capital, part. 1.
_______, "Preface to the Critique of Political Economy".

7. Ascetic Origin of Capitalist System and Luxury & Consumption: Week 10-11.
*M. Weber, The Protestant Ethics and Spirit of Capitalism.
*G. Bataille, The Accursed Shares.
W. Sombart, The Quintessence of Capitalism: A Study in the History and
Psychology of the Modern Businessmen.

8. Discourse Analysis of Political Economy: Week 12-3.

*M. Foucault, The Order of Things.
A. Giddens, The Consequences of Modernity.

9. Money and Market Society: Week 14.

2
-
 *G. Simmel, The Philosophy of Money.

10. Modernity and A New Beginning: Week 15-6.

*William Ophuls, Requiem for Modern Politics.
*Alain Touraine, Critique of Modernity, translated by David Macey (Oxford:
Blackwell, 1995).

3
-