What is modernity? How did philosophy, literature, and art throughout nineteenth century Europe shape notions of modernity? How did these notions of modernity help shape culture and politics? Is our contemporary world best designed as modern or postmodern? This free, online Coursera class from Wesleyan University is designed to facilitate exploration of these questions. Taught by Wesleyan University president Michael S. Roth, this seven week course centers on texts by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, Charles Baudelaire, and Friedrich Nietzsche. In addition, this course invites students to examine art work and Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary. By registering for the course, students may access all course videos, readings and discussions.