Modernity as Dominance

Uitgebreide vaknaam	Modernity as Dominance: Adorno and Foucault
Leerdoelen	Acquiring insight into the distinct conceptual characteristics of Frankfurt School Critical Theory and the Foucauldian poststructuralist critique of modernity. Getting acquainted with different views of the relation between these different types of critique. Ability to discuss these bodies of theory in written and oral forms.
Omschrijving	Theodor Adorno and Michel Foucault both developed, in their distinct ways, radical critiques of modernity – as a regime of disciplining power rather than emancipation, upsetting the received optimist angles to modernity. Adorno’s central concept was ‘instrumental reason’, Foucault employed concepts such as ‘discipline’ and ‘governmentality’. Both theoretical stances generated a host of commentaries, separately and in comparison. These hold different views of the relation between Adorno’s Critical Theoretical and Foucault’s poststructuralist forms of critique. We will study parts from these two philosophers’ own works, as well as a selection from the secondary literature, with authors such as Axel Honneth, Seyla Benhabib, Paul Rabinow, Thomas Lemke, Lois McNay and others. The two approaches clearly concur in certain respects, but what motives and premisses do they actually share, and where do they part company?
Uren per week	variabel
Onderwijsvorm	groepsdiscussie (Discussion seminar; reports of readings)
Toetsvorm	essay, schriftelijke opdracht(en) (In-between written assignments and final essay)
Vaksoort	master
Coördinator	dr. J.A. Vega
Docent(en)	dr. J.A. Vega
Verplichte literatuur	Titel Auteur ISBN Prijs A digital reader
Entreevoorwaarden	Preferably several third year courses in social and political philosophy. When no such previous knowledge, consult the lecturer.
Opmerkingen	This course will consist of active student engagement and discussions rather than lectures. Students are expected to prepare the texts well, actively contribute to the sessions, and feel co-responsible for the intellectual process that a master course is. Your obligations further include a number of written preparations; mine consist in providing you with steady feedback, and theoretical context where necessary. You will thus be able to trace your own progress as to intellectual insight and philosophical writing skills throughout the course. The course adopts a no-screens policy: no digital devices are allowed in class.
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type Ma Filosofie 1 semester I b keuze Ma Filosofie en Educatie 1 semester I b keuze Ma Filosofie en Maatschappij 1 semester I b keuze Master Exchange Courses - semester I b keuze Msc Philosophy, Politics and Economics 1 semester I b keuze Researchmaster Philosophy 1 semester I b keuze