Welcome to this blog!
This is the place where you will find all the information regarding our seminar “From subjects to cyborgs” during the course of the semester. You are invited to look around. There is a course schedule available as well as information on the course requirements and on how to contact me. However, this is not the main purpose of this blog. The main purpose is to accompany the intellectual journey of our course by raising questions, documenting our insights and allowing us to continue our debates beyond the class sessions. You are all invited to participate through comments and – if you so wish – your own texts. I will begin by saying a little more about the contents and methods of the course and why I chose them.
The flashy (and therefore somewhat inaccurate) title “From subjects to cyborgs – contemporary conceptions of the self” outlines a broad and much to large set of questions to treat them all in one semester. The title is, however, a good indication of the kind of intellectual journey that I would like us to take this summer.
We will start by looking at some (almost) canonical texts of postmodern thought on the subject by Foucault and Butler. On the one hand these are a good basis for understanding that particular strand of theory. On the other, they resonate with the other texts we will read. In other words, we will return to these basic ideas throughout the semester.
In the second phase of the course we will consider three texts addressing the relationship between the subject and the global. Clearly, this is a choice I made rather than a necessary focus. However, these texts will allow us to consider postmodern conceptions of the subject in light of contemporary perspectives on the global. This is one way of critically examining their relevance.
The third phase again is a choice of mine. I would like us to focus on the relationship between technology and the subject. This choice is partly based on my own interests and partly on the fact that there is some very relevant and theoretically important texts treating the issue. As, by the time we get to this stage, you yourselves will have some expert knowledge, I will give you the choice, which of the relevant texts you would like to discuss in detail.
Writing, your writing will be of great importance in this class. Throughout the term, you will be required to complete three relatively short assignments in order to receive a grade. We will discuss these texts in class and you will receive feedback. You will then have until September to make improvements, before handing in all three manuscripts to me for grading.
Writing is a process and texts get better as they are rewritten. This course aims to integrate this process into the class and give everyone the opportunity to profit from feedback and debate. I will ask that every participant contributes to this process by reviewing the student texts and commenting on them. I have facilitated similar processes many times before, and even if it seems improbable to you now – there is much to be learned from working together in this way. Therefore, every participant must attend the three writing workshops.
Now, on a more personal note: I am looking forward to this term. The texts we will be discussing offer ample room for an intense discussion of the theme. Ideally, everyone will get more versed and confident in commenting on other’s ideas as well as developing their own throughout the semester. This blog will be the anchor point between classes and the place where you find all information and documentation. Also, in preparation of each class I will post a short text raising a question or highlighting some aspect of the text or the issue. These brief inputs will be the starting point for our discussion. You are heartily invited to use the comment function on the blog to begin and continue the class discussion. Please make sure you have read the blog each week before class.
The most important thing you can do to make this class worth our while is to read the set texts and attend the classes. I know, it sounds basic. And what could a couple of missed classes make you miss out? A lot, actually. Understanding complex ideas is not just about reading comprehension – so you cannot do it alone at home. In engaging with others, their understanding and interpretation you gain new perspectives and a deeper understanding. And by reading and debating more texts on the subject (pun intended), the subject matter becomes clearer over time and our class discussions will gain in quality. It is simply a better class if you all work. Oh, and research has shown that grades improve as well.
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