Modern Political Philosophy
Marc Stier
Readings
Examinations
Grades
First Paper Topics
Second Paper Topics
Preliminary Final Examination Questions
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Marc Stier
This course will examine the implications of psychoanalysis
for both the explanation and evaluation of political and social life. We will
consider such issues as: What are the sources of human conflict, both in the
family and in political life? What is the explanation of moral and immoral
action? Is a decent political and social life possible only when basic human
drives are repressed? Or can our poltical and social life be arranged in ways
that better enable us to be fulfilled? What accounts for historical changes in
human goals and purposes? What are the sources of patriarchy and how and to what
extent can it be overcome? What is the nature of political leadership? Under
what circumstances is political leadership dangerous? Under what circumstances
can it be liberating?
Texts include works by Freud, by other psychoanalysts with
perspectives different from that of Freud, and by political and social
philosophers who have drawn on these different versions of psychoanalysis.
REQUIREMENTS
Class sessions will proceed mainly by detailed discussion
of the texts. Thus it is important that all students use the editions of the
texts available in the book store and bring their books to class. Please buy
these books now or make some other arrangement for obtaining them. Even more
importantly, since the course cannot be successful without active class
participation, students are expected to do the assigned reading before class and
to be prepared to take part in class discussion. Students who have more than
three unexcused absences from class or who regularly come to class unprepared
will have the option of withdrawing from the class or failing. At times, the
instructor will give students questions to guide their reading of the texts.
Two papers of six to eight pages in length will be due on a
date to be announced. Paper topics will be suggested but, with the instructor's
approval, students can write on any question concerning these writers. Students
will have the option of rewriting their papers and improving their grades. A
comprehensive final examination will be held at a time to be scheduled by the
registrar.
The final grade will be determined according to the
following guidelines:
Class Participation 20%
First paper 25%
Second paper 25%
Final Examination 30%
COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST
Readings marked with an asterisk (*) will be available in a course
packet at Copywrite.
I. Introduction
II. Sigmund Freud
Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis, trans. James Strachey
(New York: Nortorn, 1959)
New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis,trans. James Strachey (New York:
Nortorn, 1961)
"On Narcissism: An Introduction" in Sigmund Freud, General
Psychological Theory, (New York: Collier 1963)*
"Instincts And Their Vicissitudes" in Sigmund Freud, General
Psychological Theory, (New York: Collier 1963)*
"Repression" in Sigmund Freud, General Psychological Theory, (New
York: Collier 1963)*
"The Unconscious" in Sigmund Freud, General Psychological Theory, (New
York: Collier 1963)*
Beyond The Pleasure Principle, trans. James Strachey (New York: Nortorn,
1961)selections*
Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Egotrans. James Strachey (New York:
Nortorn, 1959)
Civilization and Its Discontents, trans. James Strachey (New York: Nortorn,
1961)
"Libidinal Types" in Sigmund Freud, General Psychological Theory, (New
York: Collier 1963)*
III. Psychoanalysis and the Project of Overcoming Repression:
Herbert Marcuse and Norman O. Brown
Herbert Marcuse,
Eros and Civilization (Boston: Beacon Press, 1969)
Norman O. Brown,
Life Against Death (Middletown: Wesleyan University Press, 1959)
IV. Alternatives to Freud: The Object Relations Approach
Karen Horney, New Ways in Psychoanalysis (New York: Norton, 1937)
Harry Stack Sullivan, The Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry (New
York: Norton, 1953), selections
D. W. Winnicott, essays to be announced*
V. Psychoanalysis and Feminism: Dorothy Dinnerstein and Nancy
Chodorow
Dorothy
Dinnerstein, The Mermaid and the Minotaur (New York: Harper & Row, 1976)
Nancy Chodorow, The Reproduction of Mothering (Berkeley:
University of California Presss, 1978)
V. Psychoanalysis and the Critique of Narcissism: Otto Kernberg
and Christopher Lasch
Otto Kernberg, Borderline Conditions and Pathological
Narcissism, (New York: Jason Arons, 1975), selections*
Christopher Lasch, The Culture of Narcissism (New York: Norton,
1978)
Christopher Lasch, The Minimal Self (New York: Norton, 198),
selections*
V. Conclusion
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