Imagined Societies

This subject is not offered in 2011.

This subject critically engages with questions regarding the place of subjectivity in the organisation of social and political relations, at both the theoretical and empirical levels. It investigates the ways in which discourses and subjectivities interact. Through critical engagement with such theorists as Freud, Klein, Lacan, Castoriadis, Kristeva, Butler, Zizek, Fanon, Nandy, Beck, Bauman, Giddens and Habermas, the subject highlights the place of the imaginary and the unconscious in the formation of ideologies and subjectivities. Through postcolonial theory issues of colonial and postcolonial identities are explored. Students completing this subject should possess knowledge of some major contemporary debates regarding the formation and organisation of subjectivities, an understanding of the centrality of subjectivity to the organisation of social and political relations, an awareness of the difficulties associated with analysing subjectivities in late or postmodernity, and an acquaintance with attempts to bring contemporary theories of subjectivity to the study of empirical cases.

Students who successfully complete this subject will

• possess knowledge of some major contemporary debates regarding the formation, structure and organisation of subjectivities.
• possess an understanding of the centrality of subjectivity to the organisation of social and political relations.
• possess an awareness of some contemporary approaches to the study of political subjectivities including ethnicity, race and gender.
• possess an awareness of the difficulties associated with analysing subjectivities in high or post-modernity.
• possess an acquaintance with some attempts to bring contemporary theories of subjectivity to the study of empirical cases, be these individuals, institutions, groups or societies.

An oral presentation of a 600 word seminar paper 10%, a research essay of 4400 words (due during the examination period), class participation and contribution 10%. Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment for this subject. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

To be advised

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• develop skills in written and oral communication.
• conduct independent research.
• make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument.
• form defensible judgements based on a critical evaluation of conflicting arguments.