Minor in History of Ideas
The History of Ideas program is grounded in understanding what we have believed and how we have expressed those beliefs over time.
Simply put, our goal is to help you examine, through an interdisciplinary lens, the origin, development and impact of ideas throughout history.
As a student in the program, you will learn to think broadly about the evolution of ideologies, speak deeply about values such as morality and justice, and interrogate both unconventional and established texts on human ideas.
A minor in the History of Ideas is an especially ideal companion to a degree in philosophy or history. You can expect to gain skills in textual analysis, critical evaluation and academic methodologies. This will prepare you not only for graduate work in the humanities or social sciences, but also for a career in law, public service or journalism, which prioritize critical evaluation of texts.
Why Brandeis?
Our unique program enables you to engage in truly interdisciplinary study with some of the country’s leading scholars in history, philosophy, literature, political science, cultural studies and international relations. You will have access to a wide range of departments and scholars outside of your major to help round out your academic experience as a historian, philosopher or cultural critic.
The Director of the History of Ideas Program will help you tailor a curriculum to best suit your academic trajectory, equipping you with the skills and knowledge necessary for advanced academic work.
Academics and Research
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The History of Ideas minor is structured to complement your academic degree program through course work in related fields and meaningful seminars. Recent seminars include “What's the Big Ideas? Some People and Concepts You Should Know About from Darwin to Derrida” and “The Varieties of Religious Experience, 1350-1900.” Your other courses, selected in consultation with your adviser, will span different methodological practices, time periods and regions.
Students will present a substantial research paper or project to program faculty and students at a spring colloquium. This paper or project may develop out of work done in a history of ideas seminar. But it can also be drawn from independent research, such as a senior thesis or independent study, or from other work that students have done since coming to Brandeis. The colloquium is designed to give students the opportunity to engage with each other about their creative work at Brandeis.
Student Excellence
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Our department offers senior thesis grants of up to $500 to support interesting projects related to the history of ideas in the arts, sciences, humanities or social sciences, and a senior thesis prize of about $500, chosen by the faculty from among all theses submitted.
Other Opportunities
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Each semester, our department hosts film screenings. Recent or upcoming films include Buster Keaton's "Sherlock Jr.," Luchino Visconti's "The Leopard" and Ai Weiwei's "Human Flow."
We bring eminent scholars to Brandeis to speak on a wide range of topics. Recent topics have included the ethics of ecosocialism, Walter Benjamin, and human rights. We have even co-sponsored the annual meeting of the North American Kant Society!
