Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis This is an introductory course on the writings of Jacques Derrida and their connections and relevance to issues in contemporary feminist theory. The subject is roughly divided into three parts: in the first, his earliest deconstructive concepts (the trace, writing, dissemination, the sign) are outlined and assessed; in the second, we will focus on those of his texts where he deals with the concept or metaphor, sexual difference), primarily through his readins of Nietzsche, Levinas and feminist issues. And in the final section, we will explore the ways in which his work has been utilised and criticised in contemporary feminist and political theory (eg through the work of Gayatri Spivak, Vicki Kirby, Dianne Elam and others)
Assessment Two essays (3000 words each): 100%