PA208-4-AU-CO:
Freud: Mind, Culture and Society

The details
2024/25
Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
29 September 2021

 

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

 

PA209, PA218, PA401, PA403, PA407

Key module for

BA C890 Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies,
BA C89A Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies (Including Placement Year),
BA C89B Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies (Including Year Abroad),
BA C89C Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies (Including Foundation Year),
BA V305 Curating with Politics,
BA V306 Curating with Politics (Including Foundation Year),
BA V307 Curating with Politics (including Placement Year),
BA V308 Curating with Politics (including Year Abroad)

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, PA209-4-SP / PA209-5-SP / PA209-6-SP 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

Aims
To provide an 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

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module you should be able to:
Synthesise the key elements comprising Freudian psychology
Define and 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 Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies.

Bibliography

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    40% 
Coursework   Essay 2    60% 

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.
From Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Student Administrator, Room 5A.202, telephone 01206 874969, email ppsug@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Prof Barry Richards
Bournemouth University
Professor of Political Psychology
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 30 hours, 30 (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
Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies

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