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Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

John E Toews
HIST 314
Seattle Campus

The Psychoanalytic Revolution in Historical Perspective

Genesis and evolution of Freudian theory in context of the crisis of liberal-bourgeois culture in central Europe and parallel developments in philosophy, literature, and social theory. Emergence and division of the psychoanalytic movement. Transformation of psychoanalysis in British, French, and especially American cultural traditions. Offered: jointly with CHID 314.

Class description

The course will examine Freudian theory as a culturally defined and historically specific way of thinking about the self and its relations. The first half of the course will focus on the emergence and elaboration of Psychoanalysis in the context of the crisis of liberal culture in central Europe between 1870 and 1914, and its transformation during and immediately after World War I. The second half will deal with the reception of psychoanalysis among Freud’s followers and critics within divergenet national cultures and will explore the significance of gender, ethnicity, religion, class in the assimilation and transformation of Freud’s conceptions of self formation and group identity

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Mixed lecture and class discussion

Recommended preparation

No prerequisites.

Class assignments and grading

Students will be expected to write short weekly responses to the assigned readings as preparation for class discussions and a longer (10 page) research paper on a topic of their choice.There will be one-hour midterm and final quizzes based on lecture content.

Grading Percentages Responses to assigned readings 30% Quizzes 30% Term Paper 40%


The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by John E Toews
Date: 01/15/2009