Twentieth Century Psychoanalysis

Catalog description

Psychoanalysis has been one of the most influential and controversial traditions in 20th century and contemporary thought. What began as a method for healing psychic neuroses in suffering patients has developed into a philosophical paradigm for conceptualizing the human condition. Ironically banished from a meaningful place in psychology departments, psychoanalysis has found willing disciples in literature, sociology, philosophy and mostly left-wing politics. Yet, psychoanalysis has been adopted as an interpretative framework by both rightists and leftists, by conservatives and liberals alike. The interdisciplinary nature of psychoanalysis makes it fruitful for a humanities-oriented perspective course. This class concentrates on the intersection of psychoanalysis with literature and philosophy. It seeks to study the cultural and social significance of psychoanalysis through the material impact of literature and philosophy.