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Psychoanalysis and Social Theory (SOTH30004)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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As part of the University’s response to COVID-19 and the associated Government restrictions and guidelines, most subjects will continue to be delivered online in Winter and Semester 2.
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
You’re currently viewing the 2020 version of this subject

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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Psychoanalysis has informed and influenced contemporary social theory in manifold ways. Psychoanalysis has been central to theorising the decentred subject, it has radically affected conceptualisations of ideology, thrown reason under radical suspicion and has contributed to a better understanding of identities. including identities of nation, race, gender and ethnicity. This subject investigates these issues in the context of a consideration of texts by Freud, Klein, Lacan, Kristeva, Adorno, Fromm, Habermas, Zizek, Mitchell, Giddens and Althusser. Students who complete this subject should gain a sound knowledge of some major traditions in psychoanalytic theory, particularly Freudian, Kleinian and Lacanian, and should come to possess an awareness of why social theory has been drawn to psychoanalysis in order to analyse subjectivities, group processes, intergroup relations, ideological formations, and forms of reason.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should:

  • Possess knowledge of some major traditions in psychoanalytic theory, particularly Freudian, Kleinian and Lacanian;
  • Possess knowledge of some major traditions of social theory and their appropriations of psychoanalysis;
  • Possess an understanding of the place of psychoanalysis within certain forms of feminist theory;
  • Possess an awareness of why social theory has been drawn to psychoanalysis for the purpose of both theorising and analysing subjectivity, group processes, intergroup relations, ideological formations, and forms of reason;
  • Possess an understanding of the ways in which social theory has turned to psychoanalysis in order to develop methods of analysis which may be used in the study of empirical cases, be these individual or social;
  • Possess an awareness of the centrality of psychoanalysis to the contemporary.

Last updated: 8 August 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 8 August 2023

Assessment

Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Class participation and contribution

Hurdle requirement: Regular participation in tutorials is required.		Throughout the teaching period10%

A tutorial paper

  • 400 words
Mid semester10%

An essay

  • 1600 words
Mid semester30%

A final essay

  • 2000 words
During the examination period50%
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Additional details

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10 marks per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Last updated: 8 August 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorJohn Cash
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursThirty contact hours per semester. 2 x one hour lecture and 1 x one hour tutorial per week for 10 weeks. The lecture and tutorial programs are staggered and cover the 12 weeks of semester.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020
    Last self-enrol date14 August 2020
    Census date21 September 2020
    Last date to withdraw without fail16 October 2020
    Assessment period ends27 November 2020

    Semester 2 contact information

    johndc@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 8 August 2023

Further information

Last updated: 8 August 2023