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MA in Jungian and Post-Jungian Studies

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Course Director: Mr Kevin Lu
Principal teaching staff:
Prof Andrew Samuels Dr Roderick Main, and Mr Kevin Lu

 

Introduction

First presented in 1998, this unique and internationally acclaimed MA has been designed for a wide range of students from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds. It takes an informative, critical, and reflective stance in relation to the key texts of Jung, the diverse contexts from which analytical psychology emerged, and the core concepts developed by Jung, post-Jungians and scholars. It explores both clinical theory and applications in areas such as cultural and gender studies, social and political theory, philosophy, myth, and religion.

Who should study the MA in Jungian and Post-Jungian Studies?

The degree will be suitable for:

  • Good honours graduates (or equivalent) from any discipline
  • Psychotherapeutic practitioners and others in the caring professions who wish to deepen their Jungian theoretical formation
  • Those planning to undertake doctoral research with analytical psychology as its subject matter, theoretical framework, or method
  • Mature students who wish to acquire or deepen a creative depth psychological perspective for reasons of professional or personal development
  • International graduates and professionals

Key Features of the Programme

  • Available both full-time (one year) and part-time (two years)
  • Specially timetabled to enable those not local to the University to attend
  • Taught by internationally renowned academics and analysts
  • Concepts module taught by a team of analysts from across the whole spectrum of Jungian theoretical and clinical orientations
  • In certain circumstances, possession of this MA may meet the academic (though not the clinical or other) requirements of (a) some trainings in analytical psychology and Jungian analysis that are recognised by the International Association for Analytical Psychology and of (b) those seeking Individual Membership of the International Association for Analytical Psychology. (The MA itself is an academic not a clinical qualification.)

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Aims and Learning Outcomes

Aims:

  • To develop the ability to analyse closely various key texts by Jung;
  • To assist students to locate analytical psychology within the context of other relevant historical, cultural, philosophical, socio-political, clinical, and epistemological discourses;
  • To provide an in-depth understanding of Jungian and post-Jungian theory and concepts;
  • To explore the possibilities and limitations of applying analytical psychology to various socio-cultural fields or topics;
  • To help students define and carry out research in an area of special analytical psychological inquiry and to provide them with the necessary skills for such research.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of the degree scheme, students should be able to:

  • Critically evaluate the guiding ideas, underlying assumptions, forms of argument, uses of evidence, and modes of expression in key texts by Jung;
  • Understand enough of the contexts in which analytical psychology developed to discuss ways in which it either reflected or added a new dimension to those contexts;
  • Discuss in depth the key theories and concepts of analytical psychology, both as formulated by Jung and as developed by post-Jungians;
  • Apply analytical psychology critically to the illumination of cultural and social issues;
  • Define and research into an area of special interest.

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Programme Structure and Content

  1. Module 1: PA971 Key Texts of C. G. Jung (Co-ordinator: Dr Roderick Main) (18 weeks)

    This module will examine in depth some of Jung's key texts. The first half of the module will critically explore texts relating to Jung's theory of myth and its application. It will also include analysis of the mythopoeic dimension of Jung's own writing. The second half of the module will examine texts exemplifying Jung's work as psychological theorist and as critic of science, religion, and society. Again, attention will be given to the manner as well as the matter of Jung's writing. The particular texts studied on the module may change from year to year.

  2. Module 2: PA972 Jung in Contexts (Co-ordinator: Dr Roderick Main) (18 weeks)

    This module explores the historical, philosophical, cultural, and religious background of analytical psychology. It includes a core of seminars in which special attention is paid to Jung's collaborative relationship with Freud and to their divergence. In the other seminars, issues more specific to Jung's own thinking and to their development in analytical psychology are explored. This structure allows the development of a comparative as well as a contextual view of analytical psychology.

  3. Module 3: PA973 Key Concepts in Jungian and Post-Jungian Psychology (Co-ordinator: Professor Andrew Samuels) (18 weeks)

    The module introduces the central theoretical concepts of analytical psychology which will be located within critical, comparative and experiential perspectives. A further aim is to introduce students to the general field of contemporary post-Jungian psychology and familiarise them with the relevant literature. The interface between analytical psychology and psychoanalysis will be fore-grounded. In addition, opportunities will be provided for the theoretical exploration of the connection between these key concepts and their clinical use.

    The module will be taught by sixteen analytical psychologists from a variety of backgrounds, groups, and theoretical perspectives.

  4. Module 4: PA974 Selected Applications of Analytical Psychology (Co-ordinator: Professor Andrew Samuels) (18 weeks)

    This module is designed to appraise the applicability of Jungian and post-Jungian modes of enquiry in diverse social and cultural fields with special reference to selected pressing problems in contemporary Western societies. Current controversies and debates will be presented for evaluation from the perspective of Jungian and post-Jungian psychology. The relevance of the epistemological, ethical and clinical positions developed within the Jungian and post-Jungian traditions for those working in other fields will be elucidated.

  5. PA981 Dissertation

    The dissertation is an opportunity for students to research and write in greater depth on any chosen topic in Jungian studies. Work on the dissertation is supported by regular research fora and individual tutorials.

  6. Supervision

Students receive at least one 30-minute one-to-one tutorial per term. These are also intended as supervision sessions for the dissertation.

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Attendance

Modules 1 and 2 are taught on Tuesdays during the autumn and spring terms.

Modules 3 and 4 are taught on Wednesdays during the autumn and spring terms.

Research fora and tutorials take place throughout the year, including the summer term. Full-time students attend on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Part-time students attend on Tuesdays in year one and on Wednesdays in year two. Attendance at these times is a requirement of the course. There is no distance-learning option for this course.

Entry Qualifications, Course Fees and Additional Costs

Entry Qualifications - Applicants should have a good first degree (first class or upper second class) or an equivalent professional qualification plus a sample of written work demonstrating academic ability. Applicants without such qualifications, but who can otherwise demonstrate relevant experience and academic ability, will also be considered. Students whose first language is not English would normally be expected to demonstrate English language proficiency to at least the following levels: iBT 89, TOEFL (computer) 230, or IELTS 6.5.

Course Fees and Additional Costs - Information about current tuition fees can be found at: http://www.essex.ac.uk/fees/pgt.aspx

Part-time students will pay fees on a pro-rata basis for the current academic year. It is possible to pay fees by termly instalments.

Students on this course will also need to budget for the substantial reading packs that we supply for most modules. Acceptance of the packs is optional but it certainly helps to have the pack. We suggest allowing around £120 over the course period for this purpose. It is necessary to have easy access to the Collected Works of C. G. Jung as we mostly do not provide readings from Jung in the packs. These works are, of course, available in the University Library, but you may find it helpful to own at least the major volumes.

For details of financial support please see the booklet Introduction to the Graduate School or visit: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/funding/index.shtm

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Teaching Methods and Assessment

The course will be taught by means of tutor-led seminars and research fora, one-to-one tutorials, and structured independent study.

The course is assessed by four 5,000-word essays (one each for modules 1 to 4) and a 12,000-word dissertation.

How to apply

This course can be applied for online, (please note that online applications will still require additional information to be mailed to the Centre). Alternatively, please email cpsgrad@essex.ac.uk for an application form by post, or download the application form in PDF format.

Applications for MA in Jungian and Post-Jungian Studies should send a sample of academic written work to the Centre's Senior Student Administrator with other documents.

NB: Although great care is taken in compiling this information, it is for the general guidance of prospective students and the University reserves the right to make changes to modules and programmes of study.

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