PHM4940

Contemporary European thought A: Deleuze and Foucault

Claire Colebrook

8 points -2 hours per week -Second semester -Clayton

Objectives This subject aims to introduce students to a careful reading of selected texts of two recent French philosophers, Michel Foucault and Gilles Deleuze, who have been singly and jointly theorised the nexus between desire and power.

Synopsis. The subject is divided into three parts: in the first, the common cultural and theoretical background of French philosophy in the twentieth century (through vitalism, structuralism, phenomenology, existentialism, psychoanalysis and Marxism) will be briefly surveyed to contextualise the writings of Foucault. In the second part we examine those he derides as 'genealogy', his writings on prisons and disciplinary power; and his writings on the history of sexuality. In the third we will look at Deleuze's 'rhizomatic writings', concentrating on Nietzsche, Sacher van Masoh and 'A thousand plateaus'.

Assessment Written (6000 words): 100% -Option of a 3000-word essay and a 3-hour examination

Recommended texts

Descombes V Modern french philosophy
Foucault M Discipline and punish: The birth of the prison
Foucault M The history of sexuality vols 1-3
Gordon C (ed.) Knowledge/Power
Deleuze G Nietzsche and philosophy
Deleuze G Masochism coldness and cruelty
Deleuze G and Guattari F A thousand plateaus

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