Fw: Univ. of Essex MA in Philos. and Psychoanalysis

MA PHILOSOPHY AND PSYCHOANALYSIS Department of Philosophy and Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies University of Essex Throughout the last century European philosophy and psychoanalysis have been engaged in an intense dialogue. Many of the questions which psychoanalysts discuss, such as the nature of the mind and the self, the dynamics of interpersonal relations, fantasy and interpretation, subjectivity and gender, have also been of deep concern to philosophers in the continental tradition. The MA Philosophy and Psychoanalysis at the University of Essex is a unique programme which explores this exciting interface between two disciplines. It brings together the expertise of the Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies at Essex, whose teaching staff includes distinguished psychoanalytic practitioners, and the experience of a Philosophy Department well known for its innovative work in continental philosophy. The core of the MA in Philosophy and Psychoanalysis is a joint seminar, taught by members of both the Philosophy Department and the Centre. Topics which have been explored in the past include: the genesis of moral awareness, modernity and the problem of evil, transference and intersubjectivity. By the end of their scheme of study for this MA, students will be able to apply both philosophical and psychoanalytical approaches to illuminate moral, existential, social and cultural issues. Course Structure The MA normally consists of the following three courses, plus a

(1) Joint Graduate Seminar in Philosophy and Psychoanalysis I (PY938) and II (PY939) This course explores the interconnections between psychoanalytic theory and philosophy, and how these fields may mutually be of benefit to each other. In particular, it examines the philosophical implications of Freudian and post-Freudian metapsychology and brings them to bear on cultural, epistemological and political questions. Authors studied in recent years include Freud, Klein, Kristeva, Butler, Derrida and Lacan. (2) Nietzsche II (PY934) and Heidegger II (PY935) Nietzsche II (PY934): This course explores Nietzsche's thinking and how it has influenced subsequent developments in Continental philosophy. Heidegger II (PY935): This course provides a close study of at least one major text by Heidegger. It also aims to explore how subsequent developments in Continental philosophy have been shaped by the influence of Heidegger. (3) Psychoanalytic Theory I (PA901) This course provides a grounding in psychoanalytic theory, with an orientation towards the 'British School'. It is a core course for most of the MA programmes in the Centre, and also provides an essential foundation for any student with an interest in psychoanalysis. It includes Freud, Klein and the core Object Relations theorists such as Fairbairn, Guntrip and Winnicott. While basically a course in theory, it builds on the premise that psychoanalytic conceptualization is fundamentally clinical, and it therefore makes ample use of clinical material. (4) The dissertation may be in any relevant area of philosophy, psychoanalytic theory, or the domain of intersection between the two. The maximum length of the dissertation is 12,000 words. In place of course (2) students may take one of the following options, after consultation with the MA Director: MA Seminar in Continental Philosophy I (PY930) and II (PY931) The aim of this course is to explore and analyze a topic or issue that has arisen within the tradition of Continental philosophy. In recent years such topics have included "Time and Existence," dealing with the problem of time in Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Heidegger, and "Levinas and ethics." In place of course (3), students may take one of the following options, after consultation with the MA Director: Psychoanalytic Theory II (PA902) This course continues the work of Psychoanalytic Theory I. It is characteristic of the British School that such a course should include Jung, with which it begins. Students will then explore the Post-Kleinians such as Bion, Meltzer and Rosenfeld. The course finishes with a thematic approach, in which various core psychoanalytic concepts are considered. Psychoanalytic Methodology (PA928) This course is unusual in contributing to creating a critical debate on the application of psychoanalysis. It explores the use and validity of psychoanalytic ideas in generating knowledge, both inside and outside the consulting room. It asks whether the extrapolation of ideas from the controlled setting in which they were gained, as in the natural sciences, is valid for ideas gained within the psychoanalytic setting; and what it means to think psychoanalytically. It examines how we use psychoanalytic insights in the generation of truth and meaning, using specific illustrations of the application to literature, art and social science; to the nature of culture itself and its symbolic underpinnings; and to the nature of persons who engage in these activities. Part-time students will normally take 2 and 3 in their first year and 1 and 4 in their second year. Entry Requirement: Normally a first or good second-class honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant area. Teaching staff involved with the course include: Simon Critchley (Philosophy), Peter Dews (Philosophy), Espen Hammer (Philosophy), Beatrice Han (Philosophy), Katrin Flikschuh (Philosophy), Karl Figlio (Psychoanalytic Studies), Bob Hinshelwood (Psychoanalytic Studies) and Joan Raphael-Leff (Psychoanalytic Studies). Enquiries to: Graduate Secretary Department of Philosophy University of Essex Telephone: +44 (0)1206 872705 Wivenhoe Park Facsimile: +44 (0)1206 873377 Colchester CO4 3SQ E-mail: philo(a)essex.ac.uk World Wide Web For those with access to the World Wide Web or Internet, further information about the Department is available at URL address: http://www.essex.ac.uk/philosophy C:\My Documents\pubs\p&pleaflet.doc --- To signoff from this list, send e-mail to listserv(a)yorku.ca that reads

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