32034 - Laboratory (2) (2nd cycle) (G.C)

Learning outcomes

The content of the laboratory varies from year to year, but is aimed at giving the student a professionalizing competence on the various areas of study in the degree program.

Course contents

Governance and governmentality

This laboratory will be conducted entirely in English.

This laboratory will delve into the theoretical thought of Michel Foucault in the twentieth century. During the course, students will achieve the necessary tools to debate and apply the concepts of governance and governmentality, with particular attention to Foucault's "technologies of the self" and his conceptualization of material agency, studying the methods and practices that individuals employ to shape their own identities, thoughts, and behaviors and self-conduct within the framework of societal norms. The class will investigate how institutions and so-called scientific discourses are not something inevitable that must be accepted, but rather, they are constructed and can be critically examined.

The laboratory will also delve into the relevance of Foucault’s works to semiotic, as discussed by scholars that place Foucault’s definition of signification as a technology and questions of knowledge into central parts of semiotic scholarship on one side, and on material semiotics on the other one.

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Week 1. Situating Michel Foucault’s thought within philosophical tradition; Focus on Archaeology of Knowledge (1969)

Week 2. Foucault's analysis of knowledge and discourse development

Week 3. Governmentality

Week 4. Four types of technologies and technologies of the Self

Week 5. Subjectivity, materiality and subsequent applications

 

General Information

The Lab has three main purposes: education in writing and editorial conventions in use in the scholarly community; introduction to the use of bibliographic tools; and introduction to writing a short essay.

The laboratory requires constant attendance at the meetings; consequently, at least 11 out of 15 classes (equal to 24 out of 30 face-to-face hours) must be attended in order to access to the right to submit the final essay and pass the laboratory.

“Attendance” is defined as class participation in person.

 

Please join the LAB on Virtuale

Readings/Bibliography

The complete bibliography will be provided at the beginning of the workshop.


Essential bibliography

• Michel Foucault, Technologies of the self, edited by L. H. Martin, H. Gutman, P. H. Hutton [English online]
  
  
• Michel Foucault, 'Governmentality', in Graham Burchell, Colin Gordon and Peter Miller (eds), The Foucault Effect: Studies in Governmentality, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1991, pp. 87–104.
  

• John Law, "Material Semiotics", online version of 2019.
  
  
• Athanasios Votsis, "Michel Foucault's moral subjectivity and the semiotic modeling of knowledge", Semiotica, vol. 2012, no. 192, 2012, pp. 243-250. PDF available online

Teaching methods

Classes organization

• Lectures by the lecturer
• Class discussions led by the lecturer

The attendance is mandatory. A minimum of 11 out of 15 classes must be attended in order to submit the final paper and pass the laboratory.

Attendance at the lab will be verified by signature and roll call.

 

Organization of the laboratory

During the second part, students will present papers and their preliminary on the topics discussed in class (in preparation for the final paper). The presentation is an important moment of collective verification of learning.

 

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Assessment methods

Evaluation and final paper

The aim of this Lab is to prepare and submit a short research proposal, inspired by Foucault’s conceptualizations and class discussions, without developing the research, minimum 1500 maximum 3000 words, references included. Students will work and discuss in class; last sessions will be devoted to further brainstorming, writing, discussing in class.

Ideally, the research proposal should be submitted during last class, 19^th March, at 11:00. Word format, sent by email to chiara.loschi@unibo.it

Ideal structure of the research proposal:

Title

Introduction → topic(s) and summary of significance (choose between research gap and problematization)

Literature Review → Key scholarly works, gaps in research/definition of the problematization (even light)

Research Question(s) & Objectives → What you aim to investigate, why. Significance

Expected Outcomes & Significance → Contribution to the field, explanation of significance.

Methodology → Research design, methods, data sources

References → Properly formatted citations (follow general formatting rules by FILO department).

References: they should include readings discussed in class and other references, minimum 5 references.

 

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

• Slides and internet-connected projector.

• Other bibliographic materials.

All references and materials will be made available through the 'Virtual' platform, where possible.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Loschi