Structure), Douglas R. Hofstadter (Godel, Escher, Bach), and James Gleick (
Chaos). There will be a double-thrust to many of the seminars, which will be
divided ...
Sussman/Systems & their Theory/Syllabus--)
Henry Sussman, Dept. of Germanic Languages and Literatures, WLH 307; 432-0792; = == == Office Hours: Tues. 2-4:00 PM & by appointment Spring 2013 GMAN 645 01; CPLT 651 01; PHIL 608 01; GMAN, GMST 315 01; LITR431 01; HUMS 368 01 Systems and their Theory: (Or: Systems, Chaos, and Games) Mon., 3:30 Course Syllabus Introduction: This is a course spanning the developments between some of the most original and still-telling early systems-makers, Kant and Hegel, and some important 20t 11-century fiction writers, among them Kafka, Proust, Borges, Calvino, and Pynchon, whose works built and played upon the architecture of systems. As a way of extending some of the ideas introduced in the course, we will be reading a number of scholars and scientists who themselves have thought about the systematic dimensions of culture and life: Geoffrey Bateson, Steps to an Ecology of Mind, Anthony Wilden (System and Structure), Douglas R. Hofstadter (Godel, Escher, Bach), and James Gleick (Chaos). There will be a double-thrust to many of the seminars, which will be divided between elucidations of systematic pictures of the world and specific instances, whether from criticism, literature, or other art forms. We will work hard at disceming the followthrough between conceptual systems and the systematic dimensions of our everyday lives, whether legal, institutional, or familial. Readings: [Items marked* available at World Languages Center, University Bookstore; items marked** distributed through Libraries' Online Reserve.] Immanuel Kant, The Critique of Pure Reason (selections).* G. W. F. Hegel, The Phenomenology of Mind_( selections).* Geoffrey Bateson, Steps to an Ecology of Mind, Parts II, III, and VI.* Anthony Wilden, System and Structure, Chs. VII, VIII.** James Gleick, Chaos (Chs.: "The Butterfly Effect," Strange Attractors," "Images of Chaos."* · Douglas R. Hofstadter, Godel, Escher, Bach, Chs, 1-7.* Jacques Derrida, Dissemination, selected passages from "Plato's Pharmacy" and "The Double Session"** Marcel Proust, "In a Budding Grove," from In Remembrance of Things Past* Franz Kafka, The Trial*
Sussman/Systems & their Theory/Syllabus--3
Unhappy Consciousness and the Dubious Elevation of the Minister. Pp. 104-38. #7
10/15
Systematicity in Literature: Marcel Proust, In a Budding Grove, Vol. 2, In Remembrance ofThings Past
#8
10/22
Proust continued: questions of love place, naming, art, gender, and genre.
Assignment# 1 due: 7-10 pp. paper (depending on level). Relevant treatment of systems in theory and culture, grounded in readings, topic worked out in conjunction with instructor. #9
10/29
The Systems ofEveryday Life: Borges, "The Babylonian Lottery," "The Library of Babel"; Calvino, "t zero," "The Chase," "The Count of Monte Cristo." Also, Martin, The Organizational Complex_(selected chapters).
#10
11/5
Open and closed systems, feedback: Martin continued. Also, duplicated chapters, Gregory Bateson, Steps to an Ecology Of Mind, Parts II & V. Anthony Wilden, System and Structure, Chs. 7, 8, & 12.
#11
11/12
More on Bateson & Wilden & their impact. More on the interplays between: analog & digital, symmetry & complementarity, system & environment
11/19 No Class. Thanksgiving Break #12
11126
Consciousness, Cybernetics, I. Hofstadter, Godel, Escher, Bach, Ch. 1-3. Also Gleick, Chaos, chapters indicated above. Bateson continued.
#13
12/3
Consciousness, Cybernetics, II: Hofstadter, GEB, Ch. 5-7.
Brief presentations regarding final project beginning Weeks 12 & 13. #14
12/10
Monday, Reading Week: Complete class presentations
12/12
Assignment# 2 (or postscript, Paper #1) due: "The Systems ofEveryday Life" (6-8 pp.).
ASSIGNMENTS:
Sussman/Systems & their Theory/Syllabus--4
1) "Conventional" essay, 8-12 pp., demonstrating familiarity with systematic philosophers, awareness of the "follow through" of their projects in art, literature, and other manifestations of culture, sympathy with (or at least understanding of) counterprojects of questioning, dismantling, debunking systematic undertakings, whether in art, philosophy, or literature. 2) Paper #2: A project or sketch of how this semester's readings have some light to shed on systems encountered in a non-academic setting, whether in the family, community, one's personal heritage, the Law, government, social customs (e.g. the gift), the media, technology, or other venues. The papers can be combined.
