Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative

Artemy Magun Explores Dialectics Amidst Contemporary Political Discourse

After his insightful discussion on Meduza journalist Vladislav Gorin’s podcast “What Happened?”, in the episode titled “Navalny says that Russia missed the chance for democratization in the 1990s because of Yeltsin and his entourage. What does political science think?”, Artemy Magun, along with Margarita Zavadskaya, dissected Russia’s missed opportunities in the 1990s. Now, he is preparing for the new academic year.

In Fall 2023, Professor Magun will lead the course “Introduction to Dialectics.” Delving deep into the philosophical methodology that seeks to explore historical and social realities through logic, this course offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the dynamic transformations of society, such as the shift from liberalism to fascism and from peace to war.

Course Highlights:
Schedule: September 6 – December 20, Wed, 2.30 – 5.30 PM (Berlin Time, UTC + 2)
Max Enrollment: 22
Distribution Area Requirement (Bard): Meaning, Being, and Value
Language of Instruction: Russian

Understanding such transformations requires insight that goes beyond mere surface observations. The new does not merely replace the old; it incorporates and preserves its core essence. In this course, students will explore dialectics as a theory of reflection, discerning how ideas transform into reality.

While dialectics was formally introduced by Hegel, its roots can be traced back to philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Proclus. Participants will study the writings of these pioneers, as well as the opinions of influential thinkers like Marx, Adorno, and Žižek, gaining a comprehensive understanding of modern methods of applying dialectics to social analysis.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to dive into the nuances of dialectics under the guidance of a seasoned academic like Professor Magun. Enroll in “Introduction to Dialectics” now.