Nineteenth- and twentieth-century European philosophy gave rise to an astounding number of brilliant thinkers (including Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Arendt, Lacan, Adorno, Gadamer, Irigaray, Deleuze, and Derrida), who in turn initiated an equally astounding number of important philosophical movements (including existentialism, structuralism, critical theory, hermeneutics, French feminism, and post-structuralism). Fortunately, this bewildering diversity comprises a recognizable tradition in virtue of a common theme: the relentless critique of the conceptions and projects of reason inherited from the Enlightenment, Kant, and Hegel. Unfortunately, because many of these critiques are written in ways that attempt to undermine and transform our notions of rationality, they can be maddeningly difficult to read. This course will introduce students to continental philosophy by teaching them to interpret the challenging forms from which its content is inseparable. The course will be run as a workshop in reading hard texts (class time and assignments will be devoted to the development and practice of rigorous analytical techniques), and will prepare students for more advanced work in the humanities and social sciences. Format: lecture and discussion. Requirements: several short papers, one final paper, attendance and participation No prerequisites. (Philosophy 102 recommended). Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 19). This course is part of the Critical Reasoning and Analytical Skills initiative.