Contemporary Theory

This course is an in-depth introduction to key figures and movements in Contemporary Theory, with an emphasis on live theorists working today. You do not need to have had any experience with contemporary theory to thrive in this class. We will read essays, excerpts, and whole texts by theorists such as Freud, Lacan, Kristeva, Ziziek, Zupancic, possibly Copjec (psychoanalysis); Derrida (deconstruction); Foucault, Badiou, Agamben (cultural/political theory); Benjamin, Adorno (Marxist theory); Said, Fanon (post-colonial theory), along with Deleuze and Nancy. One required mid-term paper (8 or so pages) and a final paper (12-15 pages). This course will also be tied to talks at Harvard's Mahindra Humanities Center presented in my Psychoanalytic Practices seminar there. (Theory Requirement.)