Course detail

Practical introduction to critical theory 1

FaVU-KRIT1Acad. year: 2020/2021

The seminar is focused on topics and methods of the critical theory. The texts for study represent selected theories of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century, sharing their focus on critical analysis of society (Marxism, Frankfurt School, Gramsci). The list of the topics includes such headings as ideology, technical rationality, commodity fetishism, the culture industry and so on. The course of the seminar derives from the introduction of a general framework and continues through the interpretation of particular problems up to the realization of a practical outcome. The central role in the working process of the seminar will be played by the discussion on reading materials, during which students will practice in critical thinking and explore possible application of the theoretical constructs in current conditions. The intervention of the teacher will be reduced to a commentary providing the students with a basic orientation in methods and historical contexts of the studied theories. In the next step the topic in question will be elaborated as a draft for an artistic or design project. The students will produce approximately five such drafts during the course of the semester and will consult them with the teacher and the other participant of the course. At the end of the semester one of these drafts will be selected for realization. In the best scenario the outcome of the seminar will be an exhibition of the artworks produced in this way.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Mgr. Václav Magid

Department

Department of Art History and Theory (KTDU)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Art project that reflects on the topics discussed in seminars.

Prerequisites

General humanist overview, interest in current events in society, basic orientation in contemporary art.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

In the teaching process, the reading of theoretical texts will be combined with practical tasks. The students will read and discuss articles related to particular topics of the seminar. Subsequently they will respond to these topics in the framework of their specialization (an artwork, a design project and so on).

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The seminar is evaluated with credits. The conditions for the completion of the course are attendance, active particiapation and the submission of the final project.

Course curriculum

1. What is critical theory?
2. Enlightenment and technical rationality
3. Alienation, commodity fetishism, reification
4. Ideology
5. Hegemony

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the seminar is to mediate the problems and methods of the critical theory to students of artistic disciplines and to help them to reflect on these themes in their artistic practice.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Attendance compulsory (50 percent).

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Antonio GRAMSCI, „Sešity z vězení, úryvky“, in: Helena BENDOVÁ – Matěj STRNAD, Společenské vědy a audiovize, Praha: NAMU 2015, s. 139–154.
Ernesto LACLAU – Chantal MOUFFE, Hegemonie a socialistická strategie. Za radikálně demokratickou politiku, Praha: Karolinum 2014.
Guy DEBORD, Společnost spektáklu, Praha: INTU 2007.
Jodi DEANOVÁ, Slast a politika. Žižkova politická teorie, Praha: Filosofia 2014.
Louis ALTHUSSER, „Ideologie a ideologické státní aparáty (Poznámky k výzkumu)“, in: Helena BENDOVÁ – Matěj STRNAD, Společenské vědy a audiovize, Praha: NAMU 2015, s. 264–292.
Theodor W. ADORNO – Max HORKHEIMER, Dialektika osvícenství, Praha: OIKOYMENH 2009.

Classification of course in study plans

Programme VUM Master's
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

Seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Mgr. Václav Magid