Presentation of the content, method, and the requirements of the Colloquium course and discussion. IN ORDER TO VIEW THE COURSE SYLLABUS, PLEASE USE THE "RESOURCES" TAB.

Philosophical analysis of Oedipus the King by Sophocles. Oedipus, believing in his free will, attempts to escape the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother, yet his very actions lead him to fulfill it. This paradox highlights the ancient Greek concept of fate (moira), suggesting that human efforts to alter destiny are ultimately futile. However, the play also raises the question of moral responsibility—if Oedipus is bound by fate, can he truly be blamed for his sins? Sophocles presents a world where fate is inescapable, yet human suffering arises from ignorance and hubris, creating a tragic conflict between divine determinism and the illusion of free will. Reading: Sophocles, Oedipus the King Assignments/deadlines: Presentation of the possible topics for a philosophy essay.

Critical discussion of Kant’s understanding of practical reason. In this session, we will explore the concepts of enlightenment, transcendental synthesis, categorical imperative, and social contract theory to examine the enhancement of autonomy and freedom in modern and post-modern society. Reading: Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (extracts); Roger Scruton, Kant (extracts) Assignments/deadlines: -

Critical inquiry with Emmanuel Levinas and Charles Taylor. In this session, we will explore the sources of authenticity in Western tradition and, then, discuss the post-modern understanding of freedom: “Each of us has an original way of being human.” (Taylor) Reading: Charles Taylor, The Ethics of Authenticity (extracts) Assignments/deadlines: Discussion of the draft of the philosophy essay.

Philosophical discussion about freedom in the class community of inquiry. Each student will present a summary of their home essay and open a discussion on their ideas and findings. The general focus of the discussion will be on different notions of freedom and liberty and their possible conflicts (the issue of value pluralism). Reading: - Assignments/deadlines: Philosophy essay due.

This introductory session in history surveys the multifaceted understandings of liberty in Europe from c.1500 to 1700. It shows how the cultures of the Renaissance and the Reformation threw up challenging and optimistic formulations of the human capacity to embrace liberty. It also shows that liberty could be tightly connected to status and gender and, moreover, it shows that there were powerful political, religious and social arguments against liberty. A special focus on England in the 1640s reveals the contested concepts of liberty in the pre-modern age. Reading: Christopher Hill, World Turned Upside Down, chapters 2, 9, 15, 17. Assignments/deadlines: -

This session will explore the French Revolution as a foundational moment in the modern discourse on freedom. We will examine how revolutionary ideas of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty challenged existing power structures and how the radical phase of the revolution (1792–1794) laid the groundwork for later anarchist thought. The discussion will address the influence of revolutionary events—such as the abolition of monarchy and direct democratic experiments—on the emergence of anarchism as an extreme form of freedom, rejecting all hierarchical authority. Reading: William Godwin, Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793), book III, chapters 4 ‘Of Political Authority’ and 5 ‘Of Legislation’ Assignments/deadlines: -

This session will focus on how the 20th century saw the rise of two ideologies—fascism and communism—that, despite their differences, both sought to eliminate individual freedoms in pursuit of a collective vision. We will analyse how regimes like the ones in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union used state power, propaganda, and repression to suppress political opposition, control society, and redefine the meaning of freedom. Reading: George Orwell, The Prevention of Literature (1946) Assignments/deadlines: -

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SESSION WILL TAKE PLACE IN ROOM L312. Having been divided into groups, students will use their knowledge gained from their attendance at the history sessions and readings to articulate and defend positions on the relationship between liberty and revolution. Reading: Previous readings. Assignments/deadlines: Debate.

A consideration of freedom vis-a-vis the legacy of patriarchy, Victorian morals and colonialism, as presented in the work of a celebrated contemporary British playwright premiered in 1979. Reading: Caryl Churchill, Cloud Nine Assignments/deadlines: -

A consideration of freedom in the context of a totalitarian state, focused on a TV play that examines ethical principles vis-a-vis totalitarian oppression as well as the rules of a popular game by way of analogy. The discussion will incorporate the first major statement by Václav Havel as a political dissident which inspired Stoppard’s play. Reading: Tom Stoppard, Professional Foul; Václav Havel, ‘Letter to Dr Husák’ Assignments/deadlines: Abstracts for literature/theatre essay due.

A discussion of a recent experimental play focused on a seemingly absurd gesture of defiance in the context of present-day Europe. The discussion also explores the unorthodox presentation of the subject by its author, examining the role of the spectator in the theatre, as well as the status of art in relation to political change. Reading: Tim Crouch, My Arm; Tim Crouch and Andy Smith, what happens to the hope at the end of the evening; Seda Ilter, “‘A Process of Transformation”: Tim Crouch on My Arm’; Dan Rebellato, ‘what happens to the hope at the end of the evening’ (extract). Assignments/deadlines: -

Based on a summary of observations from the three literature and theatres sessions, the debate will proceed to examine the potential that verbal and performative arts have as forms of cultural intervention in politics and society, as well as their limits in this sense. Reading: Derek Attridge, The Singularity of Literature, chapter 1 ‘Introductory’, pp. 1-14,; chapter 2 ‘Creation and the Other’, pp. 36-46. Questions to guide the class discussion: 1. How does Attridge define “the singularity of literature”? 2. How does Attridge define “the other”? 3. What effect may literature (and art in general) have according to Attridge? Assignments/deadlines: Literature/theatre essay due.

A closing discussion followed by the preparation of the structure of the final colloquium, including the appointment of mentors for colloquium presentations. Reading: - Assignments/deadlines: Colloquium presentation abstracts due.

Students present their work in the form of 20-minute conference papers in structured panels followed by discussion.