Wokeness Course

Woke: the Origins, Dynamics and Implications of an Elite Ideology

This 15-week course presents a theoretical, historical and social scientific analysis of cultural socialism. Uniquely among university courses worldwide, it focuses attention on the western cultural left and its accompanying symbolic system of wokeness – defined as the sacralization of minority identity.

The aim is to assess woke in an empirical and analytical manner rather than from a particular political or normative position.

I begin by defining terms and setting out competing theories regarding the origin and reproduction of wokeness in the West. Students will obtain a grounding in the history, ideology, organizational dynamics, public opinion, electoral implications, policy aspects and philosophy of this idea. This will involve consideration of how woke interacts with classical liberalism, populism and conservatism to produce a recursive radicalizing pattern, abetting polarization. Woke will also be examined in light of global population shifts and techno-economic developments.

The course is non-credit bearing, with students able to select from one of two options:

A) Option A

Self-Study. $100 (£80)
15 Exclusive Lectures; Video and Audio Files
Lecture Slides (downloadable)
Readings based on leading research

B) Option B

Lecture with one 90-minute seminar per week. $600 (£480).
15 Exclusive Lectures; Video and Audio Files
Lecture Notes (downloadable)
Readings based on leading research
15 Group Seminars
Note that space on this option will be limited for capacity reasons, with places allocated based on the date/time stamp of when interest was registered.

Please indicate interest by specifying which option you prefer. This must be done by emailing me on epkaufm25@gmail.com, cc’ing eric.kaufmann@buckingham.ac.uk with ‘registration of interest’ in the title (no payment can be accepted at this point – the university will be in touch soon with more information).

C) Option C

MA in the Politics of Cultural Conflict, or PhD. Inquire here.

Best,

Eric Kaufmann

Course Director