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Paris' Latin Quarter and Post-Modern Ideas: Existentialists, Situationists, and May 1968 with Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

Paris' Latin Quarter and Post-Modern Ideas: Existentialists, Situationists, and May 1968 with Samuél Lopez-Barrantes


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

In the shadow of the Nazi Occupation of Paris, a new era of thinkers sat on the terraces of Saint Germain and tried to envision a different way to think about existence and identity. This seminar provides an overview of the main ideas of Existentialism and Situationism, with a particular focus on Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, and the revolutionary ideas of Guy DeBord.

1968 was a turbulent year in human history that saw the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, the live-broadcasting of the brutality of the Vietnam War, and historic protests in France that inspired others throughout the world. Using existentialists ideals and Marxist theorist Guy de Bord’s little-known but highly influential “The Society of the Spectacle” as a basis, this course covers the stories and philosophies that emerged in the Latin Quarter after World War Two, bringing history full circle to Rousseau’s famous statement: “[Humanity] is born free and is everywhere in chains.”

Led by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes, a novelist and expert in literary and intellectual history, this interactive seminar will cover the story of the men and women whose ideas still influence modern-day philosophy. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with a better understanding of the ideas behind Existentialism as well as Situationism, an anti-consumerist philosophy that helped inspire the May ’68 student revolts, a philosophy that has recently come back into fashion in response to the influence of social media in the modern world.

Samuél is a writer and musician who has lived in Paris since 2008. He holds an M.A. in European Society from University College London and an MFA in creative writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Samuél teaches creative writing at the Sorbonne, and is also a pianist and singer in the American indie-rock trio, Slim & The Beast.

Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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Christine Arroyo (Carmel, US)
An amazingly informative lecture.

I absolutely loved this. I'm reading The Mandarins and hearing about the continuation of the existentialists into the 50's and 60's was so fascinating and so well researched. Samuel was an amazing guide through this history. Thank you so much!

J
Jan Leno (Brignoles, FR)
A few interesting slices of post-WWII philosophy grounded in Paris

As always, Samuel is an excellent guide, covering a good deal of material with knowledge of the key ideas, individuals, and historical context.

C
Chuck (Palm Springs, US)
Insight and Dialogue

A fascinating 90 minutes with intellectual and scholarly insights.

J
Jerry O'Leary (Tacoma, US)
Engaging discourse on Philosophy and social change

Samuél is engaging, knowledgeable and informative. In a brief hour he presented a tremendous amount of information in a clear and easy to access presentation.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
100%
(4)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Christine Arroyo (Carmel, US)
An amazingly informative lecture.

I absolutely loved this. I'm reading The Mandarins and hearing about the continuation of the existentialists into the 50's and 60's was so fascinating and so well researched. Samuel was an amazing guide through this history. Thank you so much!

J
Jan Leno (Brignoles, FR)
A few interesting slices of post-WWII philosophy grounded in Paris

As always, Samuel is an excellent guide, covering a good deal of material with knowledge of the key ideas, individuals, and historical context.

C
Chuck (Palm Springs, US)
Insight and Dialogue

A fascinating 90 minutes with intellectual and scholarly insights.

J
Jerry O'Leary (Tacoma, US)
Engaging discourse on Philosophy and social change

Samuél is engaging, knowledgeable and informative. In a brief hour he presented a tremendous amount of information in a clear and easy to access presentation.