PA208-6-AU-CO:
Freud: Mind, Culture and Society

The details
2019/20
Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 03 October 2019
Saturday 14 December 2019
15
14 May 2019

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
PY504

 

PA209, PA218, PA401, PA403, PA407

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the distinctive character of psychological thinking when the concept of a deep unconscious is introduced; that is, an unconscious whose origins, content and processes are not just outside our awareness, but are far removed from those of conscious life. Sigmund Freud called this form of psychology 'depth psychology', and it includes the traditions that grew from his work and from that of Carl Jung.

The theories of psychoanalysis and of analytical psychology are fascinating and significant in their own right, both in their importance in clinical practice and as conceptual systems. They also introduce a profound, new dimension to the understanding of society, culture and politics. Indeed, Freud and Jung (whose work is explored in a separate module PA209 Jung) wrote extensively in these areas, as well as on clinical practice.

This module will provide an introduction specifically to the theories of Freud, and will also explore their significance in social and cultural analysis. In these areas, psychoanalysis provides both models of social and cultural phenomena, and methods for studying them, based mainly on an understanding of the unconscious, of nuclear complexes (e.g., the Oedipus complex) and Freud's fundamental discovery, the transference.

Module aims

• To provide a critical and in-depth introduction to the psychology of Sigmund Freud
• To enable an understanding of the place and contribution of psychoanalysis to the development of depth psychology and the talking therapies
• To explore the ways in which Freud theorised about culture, society and politics
• To outline the ways in which Freud’s theories have been applied to understanding culture and society

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Synthesise the key elements comprising Freudian psychology
• Define and critically assess the key concepts of Psychoanalysis
• Contextualise Freud’s contribution to the development of depth psychology
• Note the distinctive features of Freud’s understanding of the unconscious
• Comprehend the ways in which Freud’s psychology may elucidate cultural and social phenomena

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

Weekly one-hour lectures by staff, followed by one-hour seminars led by Graduate Teaching Assistants, both from the Department of Pscyhosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies.

Bibliography

  • Sigmund Freud; James Strachey. (1917) Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XVI (1916-1917): Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis (Part III). vol. 241
  • Sigmund Freud; James Strachey. (1911) Formulations on the Two Principles of Mental Functioning. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XII (1911-1913): The Case of Schreber, Papers on Technique and Other Works. vol. 213
  • Sigmund FreudJames Strachey. (1900) The Interpretation of Dreams.
  • Sigmund Freud; James Strachey. (1928) Dostoevsky and Parricide. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XXI (1927-1931): The Future of an Illusion, Civilization and its Discontents, and Other Works. vol. 173
  • PEP Web, http://0-www.pep-web.org.serlib0.essex.ac.uk/
  • Sigmund Freud; James Strachey. (1921) Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XVIII (1920-1922): Beyond the Pleasure Principle, Group Psychology and Other Works. vol. 65
  • Sigmund Freud; James Strachey. (1933) New Introductory Lectures On Psycho-Analysis. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XXII (1932-1936): New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis and Other Works. vol. 1
  • Makari, George. (2008) Revolution in mind: the creation of psychoanalysis, London: Duckworth.
  • Sigmund Freud; James Strachey. (1893) Katharina, Case Histories from Studies on Hysteria. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume II (1893-1895): Studies on Hysteria. vol. 125
  • Sigmund Freud; James Strachey. (1916) Some Character-Types Met with in Psycho-Analytic Work. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XIV (1914-1916): On the History of the Psycho-Analytic Movement, Papers on Metapsychology and Other Works. vol. 309
  • Sigmund Freud; James Strachey. (1906) Psychopathic Characters on the Stage (1942 [1905 or 1906]). The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume VII (1901-1905): A Case of Hysteria, Three Essays on Sexuality and Other Works. vol. 303
  • Sigmund Freud; James Strachey. (1938) Splitting of the Ego in the Process of Defence. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XXIII (1937-1939): Moses and Monotheism, An Outline of Psycho-Analysis and Other Works. vol. 271

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 1    50% 
Coursework   Essay 2    50% 

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

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Leonardo Niro, email: l.niro@essex.ac.uk.
Mr Leonardo Nascimento
Student Administrator, 5A.202, telephone 01206 87 4969, email ppsugrad@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

Prof Barry Richards
Bournemouth University
Professor of Political Psychology
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information

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