Technologies of the Soul: The History of Healing

Movements that sought to heal society formed a distinct counterpoint to establishment science, religion and culture throughout modernity. In this course, we will examine distinctly modern, non-medical forms of healing from the late 18th until the mid twentieth centuries. This course engages cultural history and theory, science, opera and religion asking whether movements such as Mesmerism, Wagnerism, or Anthroposophy formed a hopeful expansion of the healing role of science art and religion? Or did such developments subvert established norms that provoked anxiety? Ultimately we will probe the limits of the humanities while exploring movements that have challenged such boundaries.