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Brooklyn Institute for Social Research

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.

Brooklyn Institute for Social Research

Upcoming Classes at Brooklyn Institute for Social Research

  • What is a Social Movement?

    Explore the intricate relationship between class, community, and politics in social movements. Uncover the complexities of modern capitalism and the impact of cultural realms on political life. Join us in an in-depth analysis of historical case studies to understand the strategic vacuum between economic and cultural accounts.

    Next start date: Tuesday, Apr 9th, 6:30–9:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Bioengineering: from Terraforming to Designer Babies

    In this thought-provoking course from the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research, you'll explore the core principles of biotechnology and the ethical, political, and economic implications of manipulating biological matter. Uncover the exciting possibilities and real constraints that shape the future of bioengineering today!

    Next start date: Tuesday, Apr 9th, 6:30–9:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Theories of the State: Politics, Institutions, & Power

    Uncover the enigmatic nature of the state as you delve into the intricate web of politics and power. Explore the origins, functions, and impact of this elusive entity that permeates every aspect of society. Join us as we navigate the theories of the state and shed light on its influence in shaping our modern world.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 10th, 6:30–9:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Numbers: History, Mathematics, Philosophy

    Uncover the profound roots and enigmatic nature of numbers as you explore their historical, mathematical, and philosophical dimensions. Join us in a captivating exploration of the concept of number, examining its evolution, cultural significance, and the fundamental questions it poses about the nature of reality.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 10th, 6:30–9:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Philosophy & Deconstruction: An Introduction to Derrida

    Discover the world of Jacques Derrida and his ideas that revolutionized American academia. This course delves into Derrida's wide-ranging engagements with various fields, exploring foundational concepts of differance, deconstruction, and more. Join us as we uncover the transition from structuralism to poststructuralism through the lens of the charismatic and influential philosopher.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 11th, 6:30–9:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Solarpunk: Theory, Fiction, and Radical Futures

    Explore a radical vision of the future where nature and technology align, challenging the pessimistic outlook on climate change. Immerse yourself in the art, theory, and speculative fiction of solarpunk to reimagine a world of decommodified energy and human liberation. Join us on this intellectual journey towards a harmonious coexistence of technology, nature, and human life.

    Next start date: Sunday, Apr 14th, 2–5pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Dreams and Dreaming: Philosophy, Psychology, and the Unconscious

    Explore the realm of dreams through the lenses of philosophy, psychology, and the unconscious in this interdisciplinary course. Discover how dreams have inspired artists, writers, and theorists, shedding light on the nature of reality and our connection to others. Delve into the works of Freud, Benjamin, Coleridge, and more as you unravel the profound connections between dreams and waking life.

    Next start date: Sunday, Apr 14th, 2–5pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Melanie Klein: Love, Guilt, and Psychoanalysis

    Delve into the depths of human emotions and the complexities of the mind with a comprehensive exploration of psychoanalysis. Gain insights into the intricate workings of the psyche through this captivating course.

    Next start date: Sunday, Apr 14th, 2–5pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Kathi Weeks: Feminism and the Problem with Work

    Discover radical philosopher Kathi Weeks as she challenges traditional notions of work and family. In this course, delve into topics like Universal Basic Income and postwork possibilities, drawing insights from canonical philosophers and contemporary thinkers. Explore the intersection of feminism, antiwork politics, and social reproduction in this eye-opening journey of reimagining work.

    Next start date: Sunday, Apr 14th, 2–5pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • The Soviet Avant-Garde: Culture, Politics, Aesthetics

    Explore Russian and Soviet avant-gardes during the first three decades of the 20th century. Discover how artists grappled with finding "communistic expression of material structures" and the shifting status of the arts in the early Soviet state. Dive into the works of Kazimir Malevich, El Lissitzky, Sergei Eisenstein, and more.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 17th, 6:30–9:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Saidiya Hartman: Scenes of Subjection

    Delve into the transformative insights of Saidiya Hartman's groundbreaking works on Black life and history. Join us at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research as we explore Hartman's profound reimagining of freedom, agency, and the legacy of the Atlantic slave trade. Engage with critical questions on power, labor, and race in the postmodern era through an examination of Hartman's influential texts alongside other prominent scholars in the field.

    Next start date: Monday, Apr 29th, 6:30–9:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Herman Melville’s The Confidence-Man

    Embark on a riveting exploration of trust, deceit, and existential uncertainty in Herman Melville’s masterpiece. Join us at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research as we dissect The Confidence-Man, delving into its satire of capitalist modernity and probing questions of faith, knowledge, and societal norms. Unravel the complexities of Melville’s characters and their morally ambiguous world through close readings and insightful discussions led by expert scholars.

    Next start date: Sunday, May 5th, 2–5pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Racial Capitalism: Race, Class, and the Black Radical Tradition

    Delve into the profound intersections of race, class, and capitalism in a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary radical movements. Join us for an in-depth examination of Cedric Robinson’s concept of racial capitalism and its implications for understanding modernity, nationalism, and Black Radicalism. Uncover the complexities of these interwoven systems through close readings and discussions led by expert scholars at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research.

    Next start date: Tuesday, May 7th, 6:30–9:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Mesopotamia: Civilization, Archaeology, and Material Culture

    Embark on a captivating exploration of Mesopotamian civilization through archaeology and material culture. Join us at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research as we delve into the origins, structures, and legacy of this ancient society, unraveling its significance amidst historical interpretations and contemporary geopolitical contexts. Uncover the complexities of Mesopotamia's urbanization, social structures, and technological advancements, and discover how its material remains offer insights into our understanding of the past and present.

    Next start date: Wednesday, May 8th, 6:30–9:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • The Politics of Pregnancy: Gestation, Abortion, and Labor

    Delve into the complex terrain of pregnancy politics, exploring gestational labor, abortion rights, and reproductive justice. Join us at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research for a deep dive into theoretical frameworks, historical perspectives, and contemporary debates surrounding the manufacture of human fetuses. Challenge conventional notions and scrutinize the intersections of gender, sexuality, and capitalist political economy in shaping reproductive realities.

    Next start date: Sunday, May 12th, 2–5pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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  • Theorizing Repression: From Psychoanalysis to Counterinsurgency Theory

    Uncover the entwined history of psychoanalysis and state power in a captivating exploration of repression tactics. Join us at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research as we delve into the intersections of Freudian theory with military strategy, urban policing, and guerrilla warfare. Through an array of diverse readings, we'll analyze how psychoanalytic concepts have been utilized to pathologize dissent and justify both state and revolutionary violence, raising critical questions about power, resistance, and the psyche.

    Next start date: Sunday, May 12th, 2–5pm Eastern Time
    Price: $335
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15 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research
Union Square, Manhattan
15 W 16th St
Btwn 5th & 6th Avenues
New York, New York 10011

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Description

The Brooklyn Institute for Social Research was established in 2011 in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. Its mission is to extend liberal arts education and research far beyond the borders of the traditional university, supporting community education needs and opening up new possibilities for scholarship in the 21st century.

The Brooklyn Institute for Social Research provides liberal arts educational opportunities to local communities. At the same time, it provides material and intellectual support and space for young scholars to teach, write, research, publish and, put simply, work. We are a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization.

Although consciously modeled, in part, after the famous Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt, Germany – especially in its heyday under the directorship of Max Horkheimer – we are not all scholars in that tradition, nor is any intellectual, literary or artistic tradition unwelcome in our Institute. As we honor and build upon their extraordinary contributions to human thought and social commitments, we strive to engage the worlds of philosophy, literature, science, the arts and social sciences with the world at large and people everywhere. At a time when the price of traditional higher education reaches ever higher, even as support for scholars and scholarship has substantially diminished, we are committed to the idea that to learn, teach, study, write and think is labor worth doing both for its own sake and for the sake of communities and citizens who are active, engaged and alive.


Reviews of Brooklyn Institute for Social Research

(4.6-star rating across 29 reviews)
  • James Joyce: Ulysses

    Reviewed by Francis D G. on 7/5/2022
    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.
  • Proust in Time: The Prisoner

    Anonymous review on 2/19/2021
    pretentious, and unwelcoming professor
  • God or Nature: Spinoza’s Ethics

    Anonymous review on 3/31/2020
    This was a great class. I'm excited to continue to take BISR classes every month for the rest of my life! LOL I'm serious.
  • The Singularity: AI & the Post-Human Future

    Anonymous review on 2/27/2019
    Required more structure. Seemed more of a reading review club, than an instructional class.
  • Jorge Luis Borges: Mysticism, Fiction, and Politics

    Anonymous review on 7/31/2018
    Teacher was knowledgeable, good readings, active participants.
  • Signal and Noise: An Introduction to Statistics

    Reviewed by Sergio C. on 6/27/2018
    Excellent class. Excellent instructor. Raphaële breathed life into stats. Very fun class!
  • Mining: Industry, Ecology, and Capitalism

    Anonymous review on 11/8/2023
  • Hannah Arendt: The Human Condition

    Anonymous review on 6/26/2021
  • Henry James: The Portrait of a Lady

    Reviewed by Christine S. on 12/13/2020
  • Don DeLillo: Underworld

    Reviewed by Christine S. on 11/19/2020
  • Freedom, Politics, and the Individual

    Reviewed by Christine S. on 10/10/2020
  • The Mahabharata: From Exile to Apocalypse

    Reviewed by Christine S. on 7/10/2020
  • Feminist Science Fiction

    Reviewed by Matt P. on 3/31/2020
  • The Good, the Bad, and the Evil

    Reviewed by Morgan H. on 2/18/2020
  • An Introduction to Schopenhauer

    Reviewed by Anh T. on 12/11/2019
  • Kant’s Critical Aesthetics

    Reviewed by Blanca Q. on 8/5/2019
  • Hannah Arendt: The Human Condition

    Anonymous review on 7/10/2019
  • Fiction and Inner Life: Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway

    Reviewed by William J. on 3/23/2018
  • Fiction and Inner Life: Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway

    Anonymous review on 3/23/2018
  • Introduction to Music Theory

    Reviewed by Marinis P. on 3/21/2018
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Review Summary by CourseHorse

Students who have taken classes at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research found the classes challenging, but appreciated the useful insight they gained into the material, which helped with their further study. Others specifically praised Professor Porte's teaching and expressed a desire to take more classes with them. Students seemed to enjoyed the class and expressed excitement about continuing their education with BISR. Other students especially recognized the knowledge and expertise of the instructors and appreciated the quality readings assigned in the classes. Direct quotes: 1. "I got some very useful insight into the book, which will help in my second reading." 2. "Excellent class. Excellent instructor. Raphaële breathed life into stats. Very fun class!" 3. "This was a great class. I'm excited to continue to take BISR classes every month for the rest of my life! LOL I'm serious."

Teachers at Brooklyn Institute for Social Research

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