Major contemporary thinkers who write a form of social critique based in the continental tradition assume as background a wide knowledge of key thinkers and intellectual movements. One such figure is Judith Butler, whose important and influential work on gender, the body, and subject-formation, as well as her innovative engagements with themes in moral and political philosophy, draws on many rich sources including deconstruction, post-structuralism, psychoanalysis, existentialism and Frankfurt school critical theory. This course aims to place Butler's work in context in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of its aims and achievements. We will read a selection of Butler's texts alongside short readings from a range of influences that include Beauvoir, Foucault, Hegel, Nietzsche, Derrida, Adorno, Benjamin, Levinas and Freud. 

The format of the course is seminar style, with students expected to contribute substantively to the discussion each week. Where possible, students are recommended to also take PHIL 2059, Love, Death and Freedom. This will enhance appreciation of some key themes in French philosophy touched upon in this course.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Show intellectual discrimination - the ability to pick out key points and to construct an argument/interpretation.
2. Show a philosophical understanding of the text selected for study in the course, including: appreciation of and ability to engage with the key arguments; awareness of the philosophers and issues this work is responding to; and familiarity with some of the arguments that critics of the work have made.
3. Discuss ideas verbally and to engage in interactive dialogue about them.

Short Critical Analysis 1200 words (25%) [Assesses Learning Outcomes 1, 2]

Final essay 3000 words (55%) [Assesses Learning Outcomes 1,2]

Class Presentation 500 words (10%) [Assesses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3]

Tutorial performance (10%) [Assesses Learning Outcome 3]

Two hours per week of lectures and 12 tutorials.  Students are expected to undertake approximately 7 hours of independent study each week.

12 units of 2000-level or 3000-level Philosophy (PHIL) courses, one of them in the area of continental philosophy (PHIL2002, PHIL2059, PHIL2087, PHIL2097, PHIL2089) or by the written permission of the Course Convenor (permission number).

* Critchley, S.,Continental Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction

For Philosophy Honours either Advanced Continental Philosophy Advanced Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy or Advanced Analytic Philosophy is required.