Studies in French Philosophy (315-0-21)
Topic
Sex, Prisons, and the Plurality of Power
Instructors
Penelope L Deutscher
847/491-5293
Kresge 3245
Meeting Info
555 Clark B01: Tues, Thurs 6:30PM - 7:50PM
Overview of class
The course offers a foundational competency in the main concepts and texts of Michel Foucault, the most broadly influential late-twentieth-century French philosopher. We will foreground the aspects of Foucault's approach that have most impacted inquiry and critique in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. We will give special attention to the fields of gender and sexuality studies, and Black studies as contexts of uptake, criticism, and revision of Foucauldian concepts. Thematically, the course will focus on Foucault's writings on sexuality, madness, health, prisons, delinquency, families, power, biopolitics, surveillance, selfhood and individuality, knowledge, and truth. Conceptually, we'll debate and apply core Foucauldian concepts such as: archaeology and genealogy; discipline and biopower, the productivity and plurality of power; normalization and its dependence on "abnormality;" the conditions under which freedom is also a form of "subjection"; the carceral society, the possibilities of social resistance and transformation; the historical a priori; and epistemic rupture. We'll critically assess the contribution of Foucault's major works (focusing on History of Madness, Discipline and Punish, and History of Sexuality). The course is reading intensive- students will read a) weekly excerpts by Foucault; b) their own choice of one work by Foucault as the basis of their final paper (a number of options are extensively discussed in class), and c) at least one extra chapter or article by a contemporary critic (many options are provided). Canvas will be the forum for weekly contributions to class debate- your critical responses to Foucault and each other are encouraged.
The course is open to both undergraduates and graduates — discussion sections are offered for graduate students after the Thursday class each week (with Penelope Deutscher) and for undergraduates on Fridays (with Micol Bez).
Learning Objectives
1) Familiarity with, and ability to apply core concepts from a 20th C French philosopher of global significance - Foucault is a point in reference in all contemporary fields of the humanities and social sciences. 2) Students will acquire new critical and philosophical perspectives on fundamental social institutions relating to sexuality, imprisonment, rationality, and health. 3) Students will acquire and apply a range of Foucauldian concepts concerning power and resistance.
Class Materials (Required)
Class materials must be purchased.
A) Weekly set excerpts from a wide range of Foucault's texts in The Foucault Reader, ed Paul Rabinow (Pantheon Books, 1984);
B) further excerpts available on Canvas:
C) PLUS student's choice of one full work by Foucault from a range of proposed optional
Class Materials (Suggested)
Johanna Oksala, How to Read Foucault (NY: Norton, 2008; ISBN 0393328198)
Class Notes
The course is open to both undergraduates and graduates — discussion sections are offered for graduate students after the Thursday class each week (with Penelope Deutscher) and for undergraduates on Fridays (with Micol Bez).
The class is open to undergraduates at all levels but its level is oriented towards juniors and seniors.
Class Attributes
SDG No Poverty
SDG Peace & Justice
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Registration is reserved for Philosophy PhD Graduate Students
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Associated Classes
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-420: Thurs 8:00PM - 8:50PM