PA935-7-SP-CO:
Clinical and Critical: Contemporary Dialogues in Psychoanalytic Theory
2023/24
Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
24 August 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MA C89012 Psychoanalytic Studies,
MA C89024 Psychoanalytic Studies,
MA C890MO Psychoanalytic Studies,
MPHDC89048 Psychoanalytic Studies,
PHD C89048 Psychoanalytic Studies
The module provides an exploration of contemporary issues and debates in psychoanalytic theory and technique, focusing on some of the main post-Freudian clinical revisions that constitute the psychoanalytic imaginary of our times, but also on the development of a critical take on psychoanalytic theory.
While the clinical context is the main site of observation, the module is also committed to take psychoanalysis outside the clinic and to allow it to illuminate societal processes that mobilise our critical reflection.
The module focuses on themes such as: the relationship of the psyche and the soma, the creativity of the hysterical symptom, post-Freudian conceptions of memory and dreams, the phenomenon of submission to authority, the scene of trauma, psychic splitting, revised conceptions of the superego, innovations in psychoanalytic technique and un-represented states of mind.
The added value of the module is that is gives a special attention to lesser known, but highly consequential theoretical traditions in psychoanalysis, which offer important and productive revisions to the Freudian paradigm. The module works in a comparative manner with traditions that lie beyond the classical British object relations developments. The traditions the module draws on are the Budapest School of Psychoanalysis, the French tradition, and the American tradition. Some of the authors discussed are: Sándor Ferenczi, Michael Balint, Frantz Fanon, Jacques Lacan, Jean Laplanche, André Green, Julia Kristeva, Jessica Benjamin, Thomas Ogden.
Aims
1. To present the work of Post-Freudian schools of Psychoanalysis and set them in relation to Freud’s thinking.
2. To explain leading themes and concepts in contemporary psychoanalysis, with a focus on clinical concepts.
3. To encourage a comparative method in approaching psychoanalytic theories.
4. To acquaint students with the forms of creativity and the challenges of comparing different psychoanalytic traditions, in a way that is connected to contemporary psychoanalytic thinking.
5. To encourage a critical vocabulary for a psychoanalysis in our times, by extending the reflection outside the clinic.
By the end of the module, students should be able:
1. To demonstrate an understanding of a range of psychoanalytic concepts, and to use them to explore clinical and non-clinical themes.
2. To discuss, compare and debate the trends and evolution of psychoanalytic thinking.
3. To discuss, compare and contrast theories critically.
[1] Marginal voices in psychoanalysis
[2] Revisiting the Psyche and the Soma
[3] Revisiting the Memory and Dreams
[4] Forms of Submission. A Phenomenology
[5] Revisiting the Scene of the Trauma
[6] Reading Week
[7] Toward Phenomenology of Psychic Splitting
[8] The Psychic Life of Fragments. Superego end Orpha.
[9] Neo-Catharsis. Innovations on Psychoanalytic Technique
[10] Un-represented States of Mind. Implications for the Contemporary Clinic
9 x 2 hour per week seminars
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Young-Bruehl, E. and Schwartz, M.M. (2012) ‘Why Psychoanalysis Has No History’,
American Imago, 69(1), pp. 139–159. Available at:
https://muse-jhu-edu.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/article/480774.
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Harris, A. (2015) ‘"Language is There to Bewilder Itself and Others”’,
Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 63(4), pp. 727–767. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1177/0003065115599989.
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Wilson, E.A. (2015)
Gut Feminism. North Carolina: Duke University Press. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctv11hpr18.
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Ferenczi, S. and Suttie, J.I. (2018a)
Further contributions to the theory and technique of psycho-analysis. 1st edn. Edited by J. Rickman. London: Routledge. Available at:
http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9780429475245.
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Kristeva, J. (1984) Revolution in poetic language. New York: Columbia University Press.
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Ferenczi, S. and Mosbacher, E. (1994a)
Final contributions to the problems and methods of psycho-analysis. Edited by M. Balint. London: Karnac. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=709592.
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Ogden, T.H. (1997) ‘Reverie and Interpretation’,
The Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 66(4), pp. 567–595. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1080/21674086.1997.11927546.
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Benjamin, J. (1980) ‘The Bonds of Love: Rational Violence and Erotic Domination’,
Feminist Studies, 6(1). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.2307/3177655.
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Ferenczi, S. and Mosbacher, E. (1994b)
Final contributions to the problems and methods of psycho-analysis. Edited by M. Balint. London: Karnac. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=709592.
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Laplanche, Jean (no date) ‘The theory of seduction and the problem of the other’,
The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 78(4), pp. 663–682. Available at:
https://search.proquest.com/docview/1298183360/94FD2A6514E44922PQ/1?accountid=10766&imgSeq=1.
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Ferenczi, S. and Mosbacher, E. (1994h)
Final contributions to the problems and methods of psycho-analysis. Edited by M. Balint. London: Karnac. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=709592.
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Ferenczi, S. and Dupont, J. (1988b) The clinical diary of Sándor Ferenczi. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
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Lacan, J. (1938) ‘Family complexes in the formation of the individual. Unpublished manuscript, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin.’ Available at:
http://www.lacaninireland.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/FAMILY-COMPLEXES-IN-THE-FORMATION-OF-THE-INDIVIDUAL2.pdf.
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Ferenczi, S. and Mosbacher, E. (1994i)
Final contributions to the problems and methods of psycho-analysis. Edited by M. Balint. London: Karnac. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=709592.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
100% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Raluca Soreanu, email: raluca.soreanu@essex.ac.uk.
Professor Raluca Soreanu
ppspgt@essex.ac.uk
01206 873745 Room 5A.202
No
Yes
Yes
Dr Noreen Giffney
Ulster University, Jordanstown Campus, Northern Ireland
Lecturer in Counselling
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 18 (90%) hours available to students:
2 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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