Philosophy of Fascism, Jacobson, Summer 2026

Course Number:	EDX 5710 S69
Instructor:	Eric Levi Jacobson, Ph.D.
Location:	Online
Dates and Times:	July 01 – Sep 02, 2026. Eight (8) synchronous video meetings on Wednesdays from 12:00 - 1:30 with the remainder of the course in an asynchronous, independent format.
Credits:	3 Graduate Credits
Tuition:	Set by and payable to educational partner Vermont Center for Social Research (VTSR)

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 Horkheimer/Adorno (1947) Dialectic of Enlightenment, Adorno (1950) The Authoritarian Personality and Arendt (1951) The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951). We will conclude with Benjamin (1940) Thesis on the Philosophy of History.

Audience: Educators in Social Studies, Global Citizenship, History and English, Graduate politics and philosophy interests, mature continuing students. (This course is offered at the graduate level. For undergraduate credit, please contact VTSR directly.)

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.

Course Schedule

Weekly topics will be presented by instructor and can be found on the VTSR website.

Duration: 8 online meetings
Date and Time: Wednesdays 12:00-13:30, July 1 - August 19, 2026
Final date of submission: September 2, 2026

Required Readings/Resources

All readings will be provided to participants. Please contact VTSR for more information.

Arendt, Hannah (2025) The Origins of Totalitarianism, Mariner/Harper Collins https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-origins-of-totalitarianism-hannah-arendtanne-applebaum?variant=43184755834914

Horkheimer, M. and Adorno, T. (2025) Dialectic of Enlightenment, Stanford University Press https://www.sup.org/books/theory-and-philosophy/dialectic-enlightenment

Adorno (2019) The Authoritarian Personality, Verso Books https://www.versobooks.com/products/804-the-authoritarian-personality?srsltid=AfmBOop25iZ2uxmjPCduGhKMGmeJCLzcZ2KezmEJprx5blHbKxZT5Hko

Benjamin, Walter (2024) On the Concept of History. In: Selected Writings, Volume 4: 1938–1940 Harvard University Press. https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674022294

Toscano, A (2020, October 28). The Long Shadow of Radical Fascism. Boston Review. https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/long-shadow-racial-fascism/

For additional course information

Eric Levi Jacobson

(802) 433-4433

This course requires registration with the Vermont Center for Social Research (VTSR) first. Please click on the Register Now! button below.