Course detail

Contemporary Approaches to Theory 2 (After 1989)

FaVU-2SPvT2Acad. year: 2024/2025

The course is based on a detailed critical reading of selected texts in contemporary philosophy and the humanities, with a focus on refining an orientation to basic concepts, methods, and issues. Thematically, the course is not limited to art theory and criticism, but seeks a more comprehensive literacy in contemporary academic discourse. In the second part of the course, we will focus on selected approaches and themes in theory from 1989 to the present, such as globalization theory, multiculturalism and identity politics, post-Marxism, media theory and cyberculture, new materialism and speculative realism, anthropocene theory, and critical posthumanism. As we approach the lived present, the diachronic overview of theoretical models is replaced by a synchronic and thematic approach.  

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

None.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The following conditions are set for the award of the examination: 

- active participation in class (75 % participation) or its replacement by written research of the missed material to the extent agreed with the teacher; 

- a short oral presentation on a chosen topic from the material covered during the semester. 

 
Teaching takes place in the classrooms of the FFA BUT in the hours determined by the schedule. Attendance is compulsory (3 unexcused absences allowed). Higher number of absences can be compensated by submitting an alternative assignment after agreement with the teacher.  

Aims

The goal of the course is to deepen students' orientation to key concepts, methods, and problems in contemporary philosophy and the humanities and to strengthen their critical thinking skills.  
Students will gain a deeper orientation in the conceptual apparatus of selected approaches in philosophy and social sciences of the late 20th and early 21st century, strengthening the ability of critical reading and argumentation.  

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

Donna HARAWAY, „Tentacular Thinking. Anthropocene, Capitalocene, Chthulucene“, e-flux Journal, 2016, č. 75, http://www.e-flux.com/journal/75/67125/tentacular-thinking-anthropocene-capitalocene-chthulucene/.
Mark FISHER, Kapitalistický realismus, Praha: Rybka 2010.
Nicolas MIRZOEFF, Jak vidět svět, Praha: ArtMap 2018.
Nicolas MIRZOEFF, Úvod do vizuální kultury, Praha: Academia, 2012.
Rosi BRAIDOTTI, The Posthuman, Polity 2013
Tony MYERS, Slavoj Žižek, Praha: Svoboda Servis 2008.

Recommended reading

Alain BADIOU, Manifest afirmacionismu (třetí nástin), http://www.sok.bz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=575&Itemid=28.
Anour ABDEL–MALEK – Chinua ACHEBE – Aimé CÉSAIRE – Achille MBEMBE – Edward W. SAID – Ngũgĩ Wa THIONGʼO, Postkoloniální myšlení II, Praha: tranzit.cz, 2011.
Boris BUDEN, Konec postkomunismu. Od společnosti bez naděje k naději bez společnosti, Praha: Rybka Publishers, 2013.
Bruno LATOUR, Nikdy sme neboli moderni, Bratislava: Kalligram 2003
Bruno LATOUR, Stopovat a skládat světy s Brunem Latourem. Výbor z textů 1998-2013, Praha: tranzit.cz 2016
Donna HARAWAY, „Kyborgský manifest“, in: Helena BENDOVÁ – Matěj STRNAD (eds.), Společenské vědy a audiovize, Praha: NAMU 2014, s. 607–639.
Ernesto LACLAU – Chantal MOUFFE, Hegemonie a socialistická strategie. Za radikálně demokratickou politiku, Praha: Karolinum 2014.
Gilles DELEUZE – Félix GUATTARI, Tisíc plošin, Praha: Herrmann & synové 2010.
Gilles DELEUZE, „Postscript on the Societies of Control“, October, 1992, č. 59, s. 3–7.
Hakim BEY, Dočasná autonomní zóna, Praha: tranzit.cz 2004.
Jacques RANCIÈRE, The Politics of Aesthetics. The Distribution of Sensible, Londýn: COntinuum 2004.
Jean BAUDRILLARD, „Simulakra a simulace“, in: Jiří ŠEVČÍK – Pavlína MORGANOVÁ – Terezie NEKVINDOVÁ – Dagmar SVATOŠOVÁ (eds.), České umění 1980–2010. Texty a dokumenty, Praha: AVU 2011, s. 263–265.
Jodi DEAN, Slast a politika. Žižkova politická teorie, Praha: Filosofia 2014.
Slavoj ŽIŽEK, Nepolapitelný subjekt, Praha: L. Marek 2007
Slavoj ŽIŽEK, The Sublime Object of Ideology, Londýn: Verso 1989.
Václav JANOŠČÍK – Lukáš LIKAVČAN – Jiří RŮŽIČKA (eds.), Mysl v terénu. Filosofický realismus v 21. století, Praha: AVU – Display 2017.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme VUM_M Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Globalization, Multiculturalism and Identity Politics – lecture 

2. Globalization, Multiculturalism and Identity Politics – seminar, discussion of the reading of the selected text 

3. Critical Revision of Postmodernism and Post-Marxist Political Philosophy – lecture 

4. Critical Revision of Postmodernism and Post-Marxist Political Philosophy – seminar, discussion over the reading of the selected text 

5. Media theory, cyberculture and accelerationism – lecture 

6. Media Theory, Cyberculture and Accelerationism – seminar, discussion on the reading of the selected text 

7. New materialism and speculative realism – lecture 

8. New Materialism and Speculative Realism – seminar, discussion of the reading of the selected text 

9. Thinking in the Face of Environmental Collapse – Anthropocene Theory and Critical Posthumanism – lecture 

10. Thinking in the Face of Environmental Collapse – Anthropocene Theory and Critical Posthumanism – seminar, discussion of the reading of the selected text 

11. Student presentations and discussions on topics discussed during the semester 

12. Student presentations and discussions on topics discussed during the semester 

13. Student presentations and discussions on topics discussed during the semester 

 

Seminar

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer