Anti-Fascism and Competing Ideologies

Questions continue to arise in our contemporary era as to what anti-fascism -- or antifa (a contraction of anti-fascism)-- represents.  This course (a) examines the historical roots of anti-fascism and contrasts its characteristics with other ideological orientations (historical fascism, far right extremism, liberalism, and conservatism) and (b) introduces characteristics of each of these world views, including anti-fascism, to analyze the political landscape of our current historical moment. Importantly, students will engage in learning how an ideology contributes to strategies to create a worldview in the interests of a particular governing order with specific social, political, and economic practices. In our collaborative investigation of competing ideologies, we learn how different viewpoints lead to debates over what is considered just and fair.

Students in this accelerated summer course can expect to engage in readings and dialogue that consider the implications of various ideological orientations when put in practice in the 2020s and beyond. Students in this learning community can also anticipate regular writing assignments in preparation for lectures, media, workshops, and seminars.

This program offers two credit options: 4 or 8. All enrolled students will meet twice weekly in class for 4 credits. Students who enroll for 8 credits will, in addition to those sessions, have individual meetings with faculty in regards to writing an individual research project related to program themes and current political events.