Course Catalogue

Humanities and Social Science

1. To explore the development of cultural and critical theory. 2. To examine and apply critical theory to the analysis of modern and contemporary experiences. 3. To develop students’ theoretical literacy and their ability to identify and work with primary and secondary sources.

Outline Syllabus:The module will begin by considering what it might mean to speak of critical theory, and situating the emergence of modern critical theory. Following this introduction students will be introduced to a range of key thinkers and their work. Thinkers covered might be subject to change but might indicatively include writers such as Walter Benjamin, Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Walter Benjamin, Georges Perec, Henri Lefebvre, and Giorgio Agamben among others.

Module Overview:
After completing the module, you should be able to:

• Use approaches within social and critical theory to explore modern and contemporary experiences and phenomena.
• Assess and respond to competing perspectives within critical theory.
• Explain the emergence of key strands of modern critical theory within historical and epistemic context.

Additional Information:This module will introduce students to a series of key thinkers in order to trace out the emergence of key strands in contemporary cultural and critical theory in relation to particular challenges associated with modernity and the conceptual, ethical, and political questions these presented. A particular emphasis will be placed upon the constitution and experiences of modern subjects in relation to the often traumatic experience of modernity. Students will be encouraged to examine the contemporary relevance of the thinkers covered on the module.