Brooklyn Institute for Social Research
Classes in NYC
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.
18 classes with availability
Stoicism: a Philosophical Introduction (In-Person)
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school @ 68 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY
Explore the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and its ideas about tranquility, ethics, politics, and human nature. Examine influential writings from Greek and Roman thinkers while considering questions of happiness, justice, freedom, and self-improvement. Reflect on the enduring relevance of Stoic thought in modern life.
Nov 16th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
23 Seats Left
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Mon. Nov 16th, 6:30–9:30pm ET
(12 hours over 4 sessions)
Critical Theory and the Now: An Introduction to the Frankfurt School
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school @ 75 Broad St, New York, NY
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 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)
King Lear: Madness, Soveriegnty, and Crisis (In-Person)
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school @ 68 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY
Explore Shakespeare’s portrayal of political instability, power, and social upheaval through close reading and historical context. Examine philosophical influences from Montaigne and Machiavelli alongside theories of monarchy in early seventeenth-century Britain. Consider how the play’s themes of sovereignty, community, and political fracture remain relevant today.
Nov 19th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
25 Seats Left
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Thu. Nov 19th, 6:30–9:30pm ET
(12 hours over 4 sessions)
Queer NYC: After Stonewall (In-Person)
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school @ 304 Bond St., Brooklyn, NY
Explore the history of queer life and activism in New York City from the 1950s through the era of marriage equality. Examine Stonewall, community organizing, the AIDS crisis, and the evolving politics of gay rights through influential writings by queer activists, artists, and scholars.
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)
The Subway: Urbanism, Infrastructure, and Social Life
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school @ Online, New York, NY
Explore the intricate relationship between urbanism, infrastructure, and social life through the lens of the New York City subway. Investigate its historical, sociological, and economic impact, from its role in urban expansion to its influence on everyday life and politics. Delve into the subway's cultural representations and envision the kind of life it enables and could enable.
Nov 17th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
25 Seats Left
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Tue. Nov 17th, 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)
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)
Care Work: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Explore the social, political, and philosophical dimensions of care and its often undervalued labor. Examine how race, gender, class, and citizenship shape care work and relationships. Investigate the global politics of care networks, social reproduction, and the possibilities of radical care.
Nov 17th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
25 Seats Left
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Tue. Nov 17th, 6:30–9:30pm ET
(12 hours over 4 sessions)
Aristotle and the Poets: Truth, Fiction, and Tragedy
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Examine the foundations of Western aesthetic theory through the study of classical philosophy and Greek tragedy. Explore how dramatic works shape ethical understanding, emotion and the nature of representation while engaging with influential texts and timeless questions. Ideal for anyone interested in literature, philosophy and the enduring power of drama.
Nov 19th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$355
25 Seats Left
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Thu. Nov 19th, 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)
Artistic Realism: From Representation to Revolution
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
The middle of the nineteenth century saw a vast transformation in art and aesthetics from the ideal values of polite bourgeois society to a revolutionary form of radical Realism. Leading the charge of the Realist movement was Gustav Courbet, who asked, “Whose lives are portrayed in art?” And “Whose life is worth depicting?” We might also ask: Whose life is worth looking at? When Courbet presented his now famous “A Burial at Ornans” in...
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)
The Sublime: Aesthetics, Terror, and Pleasure
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Explore the evolution of a foundational aesthetic concept through philosophy, literature, music and visual art. Examine how its meaning has shifted across history while shaping ideas about emotion, culture and politics. Engage with influential thinkers and artistic works to gain a deeper understanding of its lasting relevance.
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)
Hannah Arendt: The Origins of Totalitarianism
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Delve into the historical origins of totalitarianism and its modern implications in this thought-provoking course, exploring Hannah Arendt's profound analysis of imperialism, anti-Semitism, and the erosion of individualism. Uncover the connections between racism, nationalism, and the collapse of social cohesion, and gain new insights into today's refugee crisis and statelessness.
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)
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)
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
25 Seats Left
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Wed. Nov 18th, 6:30–9:30pm 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
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Architectural Experiments: Revolutions in Design
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school @ 15 E 40th St , New York, NY
Explore how architecture has served as a vessel for radical imagination and collective aspiration across two centuries of social transformation. From utopian phalansteries to the avant-garde visions of Red Vienna and anti-functionalist collectives, this course examines how the built environment can embody dreams of a world beyond capitalism.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Machiavelli: Power and Politics (In-Person)
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school @ 75 Broad St, New York, NY
Explore the strategic, power-based approach of Machiavelli's The Prince and its profound impact on modern political theory. Delve into his major works, including The Discourses on Livy and Mandragola, and examine the interpretations of thinkers like Gramsci and Althusser. Uncover how Machiavelli's ideas challenge the interplay between morality and politics and their relevance to contemporary political discourse.
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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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
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Don DeLillo: Underworld
