Anglo-American University in Prague Psychoanalysis and Society
| Course Name | Psychoanalysis and Society |
| Course Code | PSY 365/PSY 565 |
| Description | What is the relation between psyche and society? This course seeks to understand crucial contemporary and historical from the perspective of a socially informed depth psychology. The social is needed to contextualize the psyche but equally any explanation which leaves out a deep nuanced study of human subjectivity will be impoverished and unable to account for the richness of the reality investigated. The course explores this terrain from a multiplicity of psychodynamic perspectives, juxtaposing the stark reality of history and culture with various psychoanalytic tools for understanding. Competing intellectual traditions are not decided for and against but are seen as mutually enriching. Each individual is encouraged to take a stand on the issues involved and develop their own unique perspective. Students will use the course reader as well as other books, films, and academic materials for their study and research. |
| Learning Outcomes | Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: – Demonstrate abilities to apply definitions and main concepts of different psychological theories to explain and interpret different aspects of the environmental crisis. – Think theoretically and experientially about the clinical practice of ecotherapy. – Provide evidence of their abilities to analyze, synthesize and evaluate the studied material through active participation in class. – Compare and contrast differences between psychological theories, outline the limits and controversies individual theories imply when describing the same phenomena. – Demonstrate their in-depth familiarity with theories’ conceptual frameworks, and ability to apply those in interpretation of an ecological/environmental phenomena of choice. – Demonstrate and defend their individual critical evaluation and critically review other fellow students’ positions. – Show active pursuit of in-depth discussions in seminars, ability to lead a class debate on a topic of choice, and demonstrate attainment of interpretive psychoanalytic perspectives applicable not just to the realm of ecology/nature but also phenomena ranging from culture, politics and psychology to psychopathology and the media. |
| School | The School of Humanities & Social Sciences |
| Level | Bachelor/Master’s |
| Number of credits (US / ECTS) | 3 US / 6 ECTS |