CSP 27 Psychoalanysis: The Interpretation of Dreams

The work of Sigmund Freud continues to be of signal importance to students of literature, psychology, feminist, and critical social theory. This course is designed to introduce to his work as one of the great achievements of the human imagination. There will be close readings of The Interpretation of Dreams, Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality and Beyond the Pleasure Principle. We will also read two case studies central to the emergent feminist critique and re-analysis of Freud's work: Anna O and Dora, An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria. In addition to recognizing his contributions to contemporary thought, this course will remember Freud as a great writer. There will be writing assignments in psychoanalytic genres: case history, dream interpretation and a death wish analysis.