BASC80123 - Freud on the Human Condition

Course Description

Although Freud has been primarily known for his theories of individual psychology, Freud himself never saw his work in such narrow terms. Rather, Freud constantly strove to develop a comprehensive theory of the human condition by using his psychology to explain fundamental features of human evolution, history, and modern social life. This course will explore key elements of Freud’s worldview — which often equated children, neurotics, “primitives”, and proto-humans — through close reading and discussion of a number of works that put Freud’s psychological theories in a larger context. Texts include: An Autobiographical Study, An Outline of Psychoanalysis, Totem and Taboo, Moses and Monotheism, The Future of an Illusion, and Civilization and its Discontents.

Please read An Autobiographical Study before the first class.

Registered students will receive an email with instructions for joining the class in advance of course start date.