General Description: This course examines influential theories of self formation and functioning especially with respect to how the theories handle social interaction and verbal communication. The course emphasizes close reading, analysis, and discussion of basic texts representative of major approaches. Typological variants of self as a function of culture, class, gender, etc. are considered only minimally given the time constraints of the course but will be the focus of a separate course building on this one.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing, preferably beyond the first year.

Formal Requirements: Substantial and difficult required reading. Preparation for each class discussion of brief written commentaries on the meeting's reading assignment. These commentaries will consist of two parts: a 500-word analytic summary of the argument of the reading and a 250-word critical response to some portion of the argument as summarized. The summary should not be a simple narrative description of what was in each chapter, but an analytic statement of the structure of the work (or theory) emphasizing its aims, basic premises, key concepts, development of the argument, etc. The critical response may be positive or negative in nature but should be directed at something central to the argument of the work or to comparison with other works in the course. We will discuss further in class what should go into good summaries and criticisms. We will use these summaries and criticisms as the basis for class discussions and they will, therefore, be due in class. Course grade will be based on the quality of these assignments.

Schedule of Readings

Books available from the Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 5757 University Avenue.

(Note: For the longer works, I will indicate which sections are most important.)

Week/Date Reading

1    01/06 Overview of the course

      01/08 W. James, Principles of psychology: chs. 1 (1-12), 4 (104-127); 7 (183-198), 8 (199-213), 9 (224-239)

2    01/13 W. James, Principles of psychology: ch. 10 (291-401).

      01/15 S. Freud, Introductory lectures: pt. I (15-82).

3    01/20 S. Freud, Introductory lectures: pt. II (83-242).

      01/22 S. Freud, Introductory lectures: pt. III (243-302).

4    01/27 S. Freud, Introductory lectures: pt. III (303-357/-463).

      01/29 S. Freud, The ego and the id: 1-56.

                V. Voloshinov, Freudianism: a critical sketch: 67-92.

5    02/03 G. Mead, Mind, self, and society: 1-134.

      02/05 G. Mead, Mind, self, and society: 135-227.

6    02/10 G. Mead, Mind, self, and society: 227-337.

      02/12 E. Goffman, The presentation of self in everyday life: 1-125.

7    02/17 E. Goffman, The presentation of self in everyday life: 125-255.

      02/19 M. Bakhtin, Art and answerability: 208-231, 1-99.

8    02/24 M. Bakhtin, Art and answerability: 99-208.

      02/26 P. Bourdieu, Distinction: pt. I (9-96).

9    03/02 P. Bourdieu, Distinction: pt. II (97-257).

      03/04 P. Bourdieu, Distinction: pt. III (257-375).

10  03/09 P. Bourdieu, Distinction: pt. III (376-500).