G.F.W. Hegel, Lectures on the Philosophy of World History: Introduction, Trans. H.B. Nisbet,
Cambridge University Press, 1975.
This is the translation I will reference. There are in addition at least 3 other English translations of the Introduction that are either in print or easily orderable in used editions.
Karl Marx, Selected Writings,
Edited by David McLellan,
Oxford University Press, 1977
This is the best single volume anthology of Marx’s work, including complete texts and key excerpts from the works spanning his lifetime. We will read excerpts from some of the following works: Introduction to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right, the 1844 Manuscripts, Theses on Feuerbach, Holy Family, German Ideology, Communist Manifesto, Critique of Political Economy, Capital, Critique of the Gotha Programme.
Post-Rational Critics:
A single anthology will be either more or less than what we need. The readings will be primarily from handouts of articles by representative thinkers such as Lyotard, Rorty, Foucault, and others.
General background on Hegel:
[Very highly recommended]
Michael Inwood. A Hegel Dictionary. Blackwell Publishers.
A valuable resource in helping the reader get through the thickets of Hegel's language. Contains many useful explanations of common Hegelian terms such as 'in itself', 'for itself', 'bad infinite', and of course, 'Spirit'. Also contains brief summaries of Hegel's chief works and much other useful information.
[Very highly recommended]
Jon Stewart. Ed. Hegel Myths and Legends. Northwestern University Press.
A series of articles that debunk most of the popular myths about Hegel that have circulated for decades, particularly in the English speaking world. Covers some of the following myths:
Hegel as a worshipper of the State and a forerunner of modern fascism.
This myth was spread by Karl Popper and Bertrand Russell among others.
Kauffman's demolition of Popper is a particular masterpiece in this anthology.
Hegel's views on the 'End of History', recently popularized in vulgarized form by Francis Fukuyama.
Hegel as a conservative apologist, as associated with his statement 'The
real is rational.'
The myth that Hegel glorified war.
The myth that Hegel denied the law of contradiction.