Philosophy of Fascism

Course Number:	EDU 5710 S33
Instructor:	Eric Jacobson, Ph.D.
Location:	Online.
Dates and Times:	Jan 07, 2026 – Feb 25, 2026. Wednesdays 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm with additional independent work.
Credits:	3 Graduate Credits
Tuition:	Set by and payable to the Vermont Center for Social Research

Course Description

Is this Fascism?

Upon finding refuge in America, several German-Jewish philosophers sought to understand the terms fascism, authoritarianism and totalitarianism. They focused on morality, participation and subjectivity rather than the figure of the dictator. They asked if this could happen in America. We will begin with a survey of contemporary debates and then read selections from Adorno/Horkheimer, Dialectic of Enlightenment (1947), Adorno, The Authoritarian Personality (1950), and Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951). We will conclude with Benjamin’s Thesis on the Philosophy of History (1940)

Audience: Upper level BA Humanities students, Graduate politics and philosophy interests, teachers, nurses, mature continuing students.

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

We will read key texts from the mid-20th century research on the origins of totalitarianism, fascism and the authoritarian personality.
We will ask what of this work is still relevant and can help us understand situation which we find ourselves today?
We will apply concepts and theories of fascism from the 20th century to contemporary phenomena and examine any corresponding affinities or differences.

Course Objectives: Students will be able to:

identify common features of fascism in the 20th and 21st centuries.
develop a capacity to discuss the present political situation and to think about what can be done to change it.
gain an ability to read and discuss complex philosophical material without fear and intimidation, and challenge its premises.

Required Readings/Resources

A digital copy of all required readings will be provided free of charge.

Theodor Adorno, et al, The Authoritarian Personality, Verso, 2019
Hannah Arendt, Origins of Totalitarianism, Library of America, 2025
Walter Benjamin, Selected Writings, 4: 1938–1940. Harvard University Press, 2006.
Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno, Dialectic of Enlightenment, Stanford University Press, 2007.
Siegfried Kracauer, Selected Writings on Media, Propaganda, and Political Communication, Columbia University Press, 2022.

For additional course information

Eric Jacobson

Vermont Center for Social Research

(802) 433-4433

For additional registration information

This course requires registration with the Vermont Center for Social Research first using the Register Now link below.

Center for Schools Team

(802) 468-1325