Brooklyn Institute for Social Research
Classes in Seattle
The Brooklyn Institute for Social Research, established in 2011, offers liberal arts education and research opportunities to local communities while supporting young scholars. With a mission to engage various intellectual traditions, the institute aims to provide accessible education and foster active, engaged citizens.
8 classes with availability
Critical Theory and the Now: An Introduction to the Frankfurt School
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Examine influential ideas that shaped modern critical thought through the writings of leading twentieth-century philosophers and social theorists. Explore concepts connecting culture, politics, history and art while considering their relevance to contemporary society. Engage with thought-provoking texts that encourage deeper analysis of today's world.
Nov 16th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
25 Seats Left
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Mon. Nov 16th, 6:30–9:30pm ET
(12 hours over 4 sessions)
What is Participatory Democracy? Theory, Activism, and Power
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school @ Online Classroom
Delve into the complexities of participatory democracy, exploring its diverse interpretations and potential for societal transformation. Through readings and discussions, you'll engage with classical and contemporary thinkers, examining how civic participation can reshape political power and address social inequalities. Consider whether participatory democracy offers a genuine alternative to existing systems.
Nov 17th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 5 Times
$355
3 Seats Left
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Tue. Nov 17th, 6:30–9:30pm ET
(15 hours over 5 sessions)
Museums: a Critical Introduction
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Explore how museums became influential spaces for preserving, interpreting and presenting art, culture and history. Examine the political, ethical and cultural forces shaping these institutions, including colonialism, repatriation and curatorial authority. Develop a critical perspective on museums and their role in shaping knowledge and cultural narratives.
Nov 18th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
25 Seats Left
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Wed. Nov 18th, 6:30–9:30pm ET
(12 hours over 4 sessions)
Tragedy and Decolonization: From Pessimism to Emancipation
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Explore how tragedy and decolonization intertwine through literature, theory, and political struggle. From the Haitian Revolution to contemporary liberation movements, examine how writers and thinkers like Césaire, James, Fanon, and Soyinka reimagined tragedy to confront history, violence, and the pursuit of freedom.
Nov 18th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
24 Seats Left
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Wed. Nov 18th, 6:30–9:30pm ET
(12 hours over 4 sessions)
Thomas Mann: The Magic Mountain
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Explore Thomas Mann’s modernist masterpiece through a close reading of its complex themes and philosophical questions. Examine the tensions between life and death, science and mysticism, and progress and tradition. Engage in thoughtful discussions about the novel’s characters, symbolism and historical context.
Nov 18th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
25 Seats Left
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Wed. Nov 18th, 6:30–9:30pm ET
(12 hours over 4 sessions)
Ruth Wilson Gilmore: Race, Capitalism, and Incarceration
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Explore Ruth Wilson Gilmore’s influential work on race, capitalism, incarceration, and prison abolition. Examine how carceral systems shape social expectations and ideas of freedom, justice, and responsibility. Consider alternative approaches to justice beyond retribution and imprisonment while engaging with critical questions about society and liberation.
Nov 22nd
2–5pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
25 Seats Left
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Sun. Nov 22nd, 2–5pm ET
(12 hours over 4 sessions)
Bach: Music and Transcendence
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Explore the complex life and enduring musical legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach. Examine the beliefs, emotions and religious convictions that shaped his compositions, from sacred works to major instrumental pieces. Discover how the intellectual and spiritual conflicts of his era influenced Bach’s distinctive musical voice and lasting appeal.
Nov 22nd
2–5pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
25 Seats Left
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Sun. Nov 22nd, 2–5pm ET
(12 hours over 4 sessions)
Gershom Scholem: Mysticism and the Philosophy of History
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Delve into the rich intellectual legacy of Gershom Scholem. Explore his profound insights into Jewish mysticism and its intersection with contemporary politics and the Jewish historical condition. Uncover Scholem's influential philosophy of history, rooted in kabbalah, messianism, and a deep engagement with language, literature, and nationhood.
Nov 22nd
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
25 Seats Left
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Sun. Nov 22nd, 6:30–9:30pm ET
(12 hours over 4 sessions)
More classes to explore
2 Brooklyn Institute for Social Research classes have no available dates matching these filters.
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Simone de Beauvoir: Existentialism, Phenomenology, Feminism (Seattle)
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school @ 2219 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA
Explore Simone de Beauvoir’s groundbreaking contributions to existentialism, feminism, and the philosophy of gender and freedom. Through close readings of The Second Sex and other key texts, examine how embodiment, identity, and social structures shape human experience. Trace Beauvoir’s enduring influence on modern debates about selfhood, power, and justice.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
A Ruthless Criticism of Everything Existing: an Introduction to Marx (Seattle)
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Engage with Karl Marx's "ruthless criticism of everything existing" as this course examines his transformative contributions to philosophy, economics, and politics. Through key texts and influential interpretations, explore how Marx's ideas shaped diverse movements, from feminism to ecosocialism. No prior background is required to dive into this critical exploration.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Reviews of Brooklyn Institute for Social Research
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George Eliot: Daniel Deronda
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Late-Capitalist Architecture
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Reading the Iliad
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Solarpunk: Theory, Fiction, and Radical Futures
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Herman Melville: The Confidence-Man
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Architectural Experiments: Revolutions in Design
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Emanation and Return: an Introduction to Neoplatonism (In-Person)
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Kierkegaard: Either/Or
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Ruins: Beauty, Feeling, and Catastrophe (In-Person)
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Leo Strauss: Philosophy Between the Lines
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Hysteria, Dreams, and Psychoanalysis: an Introduction to Freud
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Leo Tolstoy: Anna Karenina (In-Person)
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The Subway: Urbanism, Infrastructure, and Social Life
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Vergil’s Aeneid: Myth, Empire, and Ruin
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Vergil’s Aeneid: Myth, Empire, and Ruin
First, I was really out of my element. I was lost from the start! I found the reading difficult….and I think I had the wrong book. Second, the discussions were tedious and baffling. The “class” was filled with Aeneid groupies who tried one-upping each other at every turn; I didn’t get anything out of that except being annoyed that everyone was trying to impress each other with their academic prowess. It just was the wrong class for me. I’m sure the students I’m referring to loved it! But it was really beyond me. And that’s on me. -
Mining: Industry, Ecology, and Capitalism
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James Joyce: Ulysses
It was not easy, but I didn't expect it to be. I got some very useful insight into the book, which will help in my second reading. I will be looking for more classes taught by Professor Porte. -
Hannah Arendt: The Human Condition
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Proust in Time: The Prisoner
pretentious, and unwelcoming professor -
Henry James: The Portrait of a Lady
