Foucault: Subjectivity, Rationality, Critique
Eugene Lang College Lib Arts: Philosophy
CRN: 16471
Credits: 4
This course is a general introduction to Foucault’s thought. Our guiding thread will be the emergence and development of his views about subjectivity, personhood and rationality over the course of his career, from the first publications in the early 1950s, through what are generally conceived as its three main periods: the analysis of knowledge and discursive practices, the analysis of power and political institutions, and the so-called ‘return to the subject’ or ‘ethical turn.’ An additional important theme of the course will be Foucault’s readings of various aspects of Descartes’ philosophy, with an emphasis on the debate between Foucault and Derrida about the Meditations of First Philosophy, and on Foucault’s discussion of ‘the Cartesian moment’ in The Hermeneutics of the Subject.
College: Eugene Lang College Lib Arts (LC)
Department: Philosophy (PHI)
Campus: New York City (GV)
Course Format: Seminar (R)
Modality: In-Person
Max Enrollment: 18
Add/Drop Deadline: February 3, 2026 (Tuesday)
Online Withdrawal Deadline: April 14, 2026 (Tuesday)
Seats Available: Yes
Status: Open*
* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 7:34pm EDT 10/6/2025