Module Directory

This module introduces the fundamental concepts and logics of poststructuralist discourse theory, including discussions of Marxism, post-Marxism, deconstruction, and psychoanalysis. Students are invited to engage with contemporary debates in critical political theory, in order to explore the role that the categories of discourse and ideology can play in our understanding of the contemporary world. Attention will be focussed on the emergence and character of political ideologies like populism, neoliberalism, nationalism and socialism, as well as the interpretation, explanation and evaluation of key events and developments, such as the different ideological responses to the global financial crisis, the construction of new political identities, the role of social movements and political protest, and the ecological crisis.

This module has three principal aims:

• First, it introduces the basic concepts and logics of ideology and discourse analysis, focussing on debates in post-Marxism, genealogy, deconstruction and psychoanalysis. In particular, it clarifies key theoretical categories by: examining their associated conceptual frameworks and presuppositions; probing their value for political analysis and ideological critique; and exploring their usefulness in relation to selected empirical and illustrative cases.


• Second, the module engages with a set of contemporary issues and phenomena in the contemporary world, including the emergence, character and impacts of neoliberalism, nationalism and populism, set within the context of global capitalism and the climate crisis.


• Finally, it examines the idea of democracy and radical democracy as a critical and normative alternative to the dominant ideologies and discourses.

By the end of this module, students should have:

1. a thorough understanding of the different concepts and theoretical approaches to the study of populism, neoliberalism and radical democracy in the field of critical political theory;


2. an ability to use and comprehend the basic concepts and logics of ideology and discourse analysis, focussing on debates in post-Marxism, genealogy, deconstruction and psychoanalysis;


3. the capacity to read, analyse and engage with the key texts and thinkers discussed in the module;


4. the capacity to devise and execute independent theoretical and empirical research in the fields of social and critical political theory.

Students will also be expected to make short class presentations but these are not formally assessed. The class presentations are typically based on the seminar readings assigned to specific weeks. Presenters will act as discussants, pinpointing issues that are of special interest and raising questions for discussion.

The module will be delivered via:

2 hour weekly seminar.