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PHIL31050

Academic Year 2024/2025

Critical Theory (PHIL31050)

Subject:
Philosophy
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Philosophy
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor Maeve Cooke
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module examines the idea of a critical theory of society from the first generation of ‘Frankfurt School’ critical theorists (Horkheimer, Adorno and Marcuse) to Habermas, Honneth and beyond. It starts by locating this tradition of social critique in Marx’s early writings, in turn strongly influenced by Hegel. It then addresses questions about the point of such critical theorizing, the assumptions about the good society motivating it, and the conceptions of critique on which it relies. The place and meaning of concepts such as freedom, ideology and social transformation within such critique will be central to these discussions. Depending on student interest, the module will also consider the question of the place of art (literature, music, the visual arts) in social critique. It will conclude with discussion of proposals to ‘decentre’ this tradition of critical theorizing about society.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module students will have gained an understanding of what is meant by a critical theory of society and familiarity with the core ideas of the critical theorists discussed. They will have developed their ability to engage with the arguments of these theorists and to articulate their own views about what it means to live a good human life and the social conditions that would facilitate it. They will have developed their text-based hermeneutic, analytic and critical skills, as well as their ability to present in writing well-reasoned, textually sensitive and professionally presented critical discussions of key topics.

Indicative Module Content:

- History of Frankfurt School critical theory
- The idea of a critical social theory (Horkheimer)
- The problem of ideology (Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse)
- The place of art in critical social theory (Adorno, Benjamin)
- Frankfurt School theory’s communicative turn (Habermas, Honneth)
- Decentring Frankfurt School critical theory (Cooke)

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

166
Lectures

24
Tutorial

10
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures with active student participation.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL30300 - Critical Theory


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): in-class assessment Week 8 Graded Yes
40
 Yes
Exam (In-person): 2 hour end of trimester examination End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded Yes
60
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
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