History of Utopian Communities: Past and Present

What life might you and others choose to live that is as much apart from the world as it is in the world? 

Students will define the term "utopia," contextualize its meaning as an idea born of the Renaissance Humanist, Sir Thomas More, and examine its sub-categories—social, economic, religious, ecological, feminist, educational, and transnational.

Inside the Classroom

We will investigate the aspirations of various social groups and their leaders and use some of these as case studies. We will examine the wider influence of social utopianism in European society and politics to consider how utopian ideals have shaped revolutionary movements. Questions that the class will have students think through:

• If a group of you had the opportunity to design a more perfect world, what would it look like?
• What political convictions, social values, and/or spiritual beliefs might be the guiding principles of that life?

Outside the Classroom

Outside the classroom, students will visit communes, monasteries, religious retreats, and former utopian communities. The community will take a trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to visit with Amish communities, as well as Philadelphia over fall break to visit with a modern urban utopian community. In the spring semester, they will conduct interviews with members of a chosen utopian community and have the opportunity to live and work in that community for up to a week.

Students will write a social contract and experiment with mutually agreed upon rules to live by in the residence hall.

Research and Capstone Project

For this SSIR course, students will design their own capstone experience that includes group externships. Each proposed project would consist of groups of two to four students who either:

• Elect to live outside UR with selected communities for an intensive period, or 
• Visit with them on a regular basis throughout the spring semester

The project must consist of students spending at least 50 hours with the community they select. The research and planning for this capstone experience will be put forth in a proposal format outlining the project in the fall semester. Students have access to $1,000–$1,200 per student to support the project.

• Gmail
• Fac/Staff Email
• Bannerweb
• Blackboard
• HR
• Library
• IS