Dutch Culture and Identity

Volledige vakbeschrijving

This course will give an introduction to the philosophy of ‘national’ culture and identity by focussing on a conceptual analysis, discussion and criticism of particular facts, ideas and developments of the typical ‘Dutch culture and mentality’. It presents a philosophical examination of the idea of ‘national’ identity and seeks to understand whether there really are a collection of unique parameters that correspond to Dutch ‘National Culture’. This means that, apart from an introduction to the understandings and tools of the philosophical theories concerned, there will be a presentation, clarification and theoretical discussion of a number of particularly important elements and characteristics (seen from a historical, religious, sociological, political, psychological, ethical and legal point of view) of the general, and more artistic, intellectual culture in the Netherlands. Some of the topics to be addressed: thoughts on national flag and anthem, influence of second world war and occupation, tolerance, (political) ideas on ethnic relations and immigration, thoughts on organisation of classes and social stratification, concepts of social and medical health care, (e.g. unemployment, social imbalance, gender roles and same-sex marriage, drugs and approach to addiction, genetic testing, mental disability, physician assisted suicide, euthanasia), thoughts on education, views on organisation of government, outlooks on international relations (development-cooperation) and ‘Dutch’ assessments of art and artists. The course will take place over periods 1 & 2 and will involve one lecture per week and a fieldtrip.