Faculty Fellow and Senior Lecturer, Barrett, the Honors College
Affiliated Faculty, Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict
Honors Faculty Fellow
Location: Sage South Hall, Room 151
Voice:480-927-6641
Fax:480-965-0760
E-Mail
Introduction
David Pickus is from Chicago. He received a B.A. in history from
Lawrence University and earned his Ph.D. in German intellectual
history from the University of Chicago in 1995. His academic interests
cover central Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East and China. An
expanded version of this thesis was published as a book “Dying
with an Enlightening Fall: Poland in the Eyes of German Intellectuals,
1764-1800 (Lexington Books, 2001).” In the academic year 2007-08
David was a Fulbright scholar in Belgrade, Serbia. David is currently
working on a study of the German-American philosopher, Walter
Kaufmann, as well as researching intellectual life in Yugoslavia and
the Balkans.
Courses & Teaching
David offers both semesters of the Human Event. The first
semester (171) concentrates on the origin and development of values
and belief systems. It looks at the worldviews of some of the major
religious and philosophical systems of antiquity and the middle ages,
asking students to compare these values and examine them in
conjunction with their own. The second semester (172) shifts the focus
to modernity. Students in this semester read classic authors like
Tolstoy, Nietzsche, Freud and Huxley to study the intertwined topics
of self-deception, rationality, barbarism and civilization.
David offers occasional advanced (394) courses in German, Jewish and European history. In addition, he teaches a seminar on the history of the modern Middle East. In all his courses David asks students to open themselves to differing perspectives; to consider objections and alternatives and to make responsible judgments of their own. David thinks that reading important books and discussing them in the classroom is one of the most valuable ways to learn about others and yourself.
Study Abroad
In a globalizing world David strongly believes that college
students should be informed about current events and trends. If
possible, he would like all Barrett students to go on at least one
study abroad/study away program. For the past three years he has
teamed up with Dr. Ning Wang of ASU’s School of Global Studies
to offer a five- week study tour of China. This trip is designed to
help students who would like to learn more about China, but have no
opportunity to do so in depth. No prior background knowledge is
necessary to join. What is necessary is a willingness to learn about
China’s historic traditions and reflect on the tremendous
changes China is currently undergoing. The itinerary includes Beijing,
Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sichuan province, and many more. The programs and
tours explore China’s politics, culture, economy, ecology and
society. Along the way, students will meet and speak with a wide
variety of people ranging from political and business leaders to
students and factory workers.
David also offers a study abroad tour to Serbia. This program, running in June and July, teams ASU students with Serbian peers and offers an intensive investigation of Belgrade and the surrounding countryside. Students are offered internships in Serbian business and ministries, and join Serbian students in devising new entrepreneurial projects. The program also offers an extensive academic and cultural program.
More information on study abroad tours are available by clicking here.
Research, Mentoring and Student Activities
David has published essays in a number of academic journals. He
is actively involved in research and encourages students to develop
scholarly interests of their own. He also serves as an advisor and
reader for Honors theses in the humanities and social sciences.
Students are welcome to contact him to discuss their own projects. In
addition, David leads a discussion group on current events
“Politics and World Affairs” that holds bi-monthly
meetings. All students are welcome to attend.