116-452 Introduction to European Critical Theory

For third year: Successful completion of 116-133 French I: Contemporary French B and 116-134 French I: Language in Context II or equivalent.

For fourth year: Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in French.

European Studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first year European Studies.

This subject provides an introduction to major figures in European critical theory who came into international prominence in the 20th century such as Habermas, Adorno, Benjamin Foucault, Derrida, Lyotard, Barthes, Kristeva, Irigaray, Deleuze, Lacan and Baudrillard. It will survey the work of the German Frankfurt school and their interrogation of the relationship of aesthetics to politics in response to fascism and communism. It will continue with an exploration of major contributions of postwar French theorists who launch a full-scale questioning of meaning and representation. In these works, reference becomes infinitely deferred, meaning plural; the author or individual speaking subject is no longer the sole source of meaning and the world is mediatised. A particular focus will be the later Derrida, and issues such as memory, forgiveness, reconciliation, sovereignty and post 9/11 terrorism. On completion of this subject, students will have gained a critical understanding of the fundamental concepts and movements which have shaped critical thought and debate in the social sciences and humanities. They will be guided in the elaboration of their own research project, applying critical theory to a work of their choice. This subject is taught in English by specialists. It is based on the study of texts in the original language.

• apply certain methods of criticism on literary texts taken from a range of genres;

• elaborate their own research project, applying literary criticism to a work of their choice.

Written work totalling 5000 words: a 30-minute classpaper of 1500 words 35% (written version due 1 week after presentation), a 2,500 word essay (2000 words for third year students) 40% (due 1 week after the end of semester), and brief presentations on key issues for discussion (using net resources) totalling 500 words 25% (due at regular intervals during the semester).

Materials supplied by the department.