PA209-4-SP-CO:
The Unconscious: Analytical Psychology, Culture and Society - Jung

The details
2024/25
Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
10 November 2023

 

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

 

PA402, PA407

Key module for

BA R9T8 European Studies and Modern Languages (Including Foundation Year),
BA R9T9 European Studies and Modern Languages,
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 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. This form of psychology has been called 'depth psychology', and it includes the traditions that grew from the work of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.

This module focuses specifically on Jung's theories. It contextualises the theories in relation to Jung's life and times, including his relationship to Freud and psychoanalysis; it critically analyses some of the central concepts of the theories; and it explores their significance in social and cultural analysis. The theories of analytical psychology provide both models of social and cultural phenomena and methods for studying them, based on understanding the unconscious, and particularly the collective unconscious, the archetypes, and the process of self-realisation that Jung called individuation.

Module aims

1. to provide a critical and in-depth introduction to the psychology of C. G. Jung;
2. to enable an understanding of the contribution of analytical psychology to the development of depth psychology and the talking therapies;
3. to explore the ways in which Jung himself theorised about culture and society;
4. to outline the ways in which Jung’s theories have been applied by others to understanding culture and society.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module you should be able to:

1. synthesise the key elements comprising Jungian psychology;
2. define and critically assess the key concepts of analytical psychology;
3. contextualise Jung’s contribution to the development of depth psychology;
4. note the distinctive features of analytical psychology that differ from Freud’s understanding of the unconscious;
5. comprehend the ways in which Jung’s psychology may elucidate cultural and social phenomena.

Module information

Other information:
As an option, this module can be taken either on its own or as a sequel to the complementary module, 'Freud: Mind, Culture, and Society' (PA208-4-AU).

Learning and teaching methods

Weekly face-to-face lectures followed by weekly face-to-face seminars

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 Christian McMillan, email: ckhmcm@essex.ac.uk.
Professor Roderick Main
Student Administrator, 5A.202, telephone 01206 874969, email ppsug@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr Angie Voela
University of East London
Reader
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 597 hours, 10 (1.7%) hours available to students:
587 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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