Individual and Knowledge

The “(selections)” notation suggests focusing on key chapters or sections of longer, foundational works. This provides a more accessible and manageable entry point for high school students to grasp core arguments and potentially spark further interest.

  • The Self and Identity

      
    The Interpretation of Dreams (selections)
    Sigmund Freud
    While rooted in psychology, Freud’s work profoundly influenced how the humanities and social sciences understand the unconscious mind, the formation of the self, and the role of early experiences in shaping identity.
    Psychology/Philosophy
      
    Mind, Self, and Society
    George Herbert Mead
    A foundational text in symbolic interactionism, exploring how the self develops through social interaction and the internalization of societal perspectives.
    Sociology/Social Psychology
      
    The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life
    Erving Goffman
    Examines social interaction as a performance where individuals strategically present themselves to others to create desired impressions.
    Sociology
      
    Black Skin, White Masks
    Frantz Fanon
    A powerful exploration of the psychological impact of racism and colonialism on the formation of Black identity.
    Postcolonial Studies/Psychology/Sociology
      

    Knowledge and Truth

      
    The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
    Thomas Kuhn
    Introduces the concept of paradigm shifts and how scientific knowledge changes over time.
    History of Science/Philosophy of Science
      
    On Certainty
    Ludwig Wittgenstein
    Explores the foundations of knowledge and the role of certainty in our belief systems and practices.
    Philosophy
      
    Epistemology: A Very Short Introduction
    Robert Audi
    A concise overview of the major theories and problems in the philosophy of knowledge.
    Philosophy