Syllabus

Critical Theory A, Fall 2007

Instructor: Dale Carrico; dalec@berkeley.edu
Course Site: http://arguere.blogspot.com

Course Objectives:
Contextualizing Contemporary Critical Theory: Kantian Critique, the Frankfurt School, Exegetical and Hermeneutic Traditions, Literary and Cultural Theory from the Restoration period through New Criticism, from Philosophy to Post-Philosophy: Marx, Nietzsche, Freud.
Survey of Key Themes in Critical Theory: The Problem of Scientificity, The Problem of Rhetoric, Linguistic Turns, Cosmopolitanisms, Theory and Emancipation.
Survey of Key Critical Methodologies: Critique of Ideology, Post-Marxism, Psychoanalysis, Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, Critical Race Theory, Gender Theory, Science and Technology Studies, etc.

Grade Breakdown:
Attendance/Participation 15%
Co-facilitate Class Discussion 15%
Mid-Term Exam: 35%
Final Exam: 35%

Week One | August 28
Administrative Introduction, Personal Introductions.

Week Two | September 4
Introduction to Critical Theory: History, Themes, Problems
Oscar Wilde, "Soul of Man Under Socialism"

Week Three | September 11
*Nietzsche: Ecce Homo
Preface
Why I Am So Wise
Why I Am So Clever
Why I Am a Destiny (or Fatality)

Week Four | September 18
Marx on Commodity Fetishism, from Capital

Naomi Klein, No Logo, selection
One
Two

Week Five | September 25
Sigmund Freud, on the Psychotic Doctor Schreber (Handout)

Week Six | October 2
*Roland Barthes, Mythologies, Purchase Book

Week Seven | October 9
Carpenter (dir.), They Live, In-Class Screening
Hand in Take Home Mid-Term Exam

Week Eight | October 16
*Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punish, Purchase Book

Week Nine | October 23
*Michel Foucault, History of Sexuality, Purchase Book

Week Ten | October 30
*William Burroughs, "Immortality"

Week Eleven | November 6
*Valerie Solanas, "SCUM Manifesto"

Week Twelve | November 13
*Franz Fanon, Black Skin, White Masks, Purchase Book

Week Thirteen | November 20
*Carol Adams, “Preface” & “On Beastliness and Solidarity," Handout

Week Fourteen | November 27
*Judith Butler, Undoing Gender, Handout

Week Fifteen | December 4
*Donna Haraway, “A Manifesto for Cyborgs”

Week Sixteen | December 11
Closing Remarks
Hand in Take Home Final Exam