Transkulturelle Psychoanalyse: Ursprünge, Problemfelder, Perspektiven
Alexander Draxl
Institute of Studies in Art and Art Education, Cultural Studies
2025W, Proseminar (PS), 1.5 ECTS, 1.0 semester hours, course number S05734
Description
Around 1900, two sciences emerged that sought to discover what makes humans human. While ethnology devoted itself to the diversity of cultural manifestations, psychoanalysis attempted to explore the fundamental workings of the soul. These sciences often contradicted each other: one focused on differences, while the other argued primarily on the basis of similarities. Nevertheless, Sigmund Freud's work Totem and Taboo (1913) sparked a fruitful debate between these two disciplines that continues to this day and contributes to the transfer of knowledge between the two fields.
The reception of psychoanalytic texts in ethnology has given rise to major works of postcolonial theory, such as Franz Fanon's Black Skin, White Masks (1952). Gender issues were also discussed from new perspectives, as in the works of Margaret Mead and Maya Nadig. The seminar invites participants to read relevant texts from the field of transcultural psychoanalysis and to discuss their relevance today. Questions will include: What view of humanity and understanding of culture do the authors we read represent? What blind spots are hidden in the two anthropologies? Can European psychoanalytic concepts be transferred to other cultures? Where does ethnology fall into unconscious power dynamics in its attempt to grasp the ‘other,’ and how can psychoanalysis help here?
Examination Modalities
In addition to short presentations, a five-page essay on a pre-agreed topic will be written as a final exam. We also invite artists who are interested in a theory seminar and would like to conclude with an artistic work and a detailed exposé to participate. The seminar will be mostly in German. Exams can be written in English.
Comments
This seminar will be held together with Dr. Julia Boog-Kaminski (S05733). Please apply to both of us to receive the full ECTS credits. If necessary, we can also add you to the list later.
Dates
17 October 2025, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 4 , "Einführung und Hippokrates: Über die Umwelt (5. Jht. v. Chr.) "
31 October 2025, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 4 , "Sigmund Freud: Totem und Tabu (1913)"
06 November 2025, 18:00–20:00 Seminar Room 21 , "Ringvorlesung: Von Triebschicksalen, Verschlingungsfantasien und anderen Mythologien: Der Todestrieb in der Kultur(wissenschaft)"
14 November 2025, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 4 , "Margaret Mead: Growing Up in New Guinea (1930) "
28 November 2025, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 4 , "Franz Fanon: Black Skin, White Masks (1952)"
12 December 2025, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 4 , "Paul Parin: Die Weißen denken zu viel (1963) "
16 January 2026, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 4 , "Maya Nadig: Die verborgene Kultur der Frau (1986) / intensive Besprechung der Abschlussarbeiten"
30 January 2026, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 4 , "Mrinalini Greedhardy: Postcolonial Theory and Psychoanalysis - From Uneasy Engagements to Effective Critique (2008)"
Course Enrolment
From 01 September 2025, 09:00 to 31 October 2025, 09:01
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Cultural Transformation 162/040.40
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01
Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Cultural Studies 537/080.14
Stage Design (1. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Kulturwissenschaften 542/107.02
Stage Design (2. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Kulturwissenschaften 542/207.02
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (1. Section): Wissenschaftlich theoretische und historische Grundlagen: Kulturwissenschaften 566/108.13
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Kulturwissenschaften 566/208.15
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (1. Section): Wissenschaftlich theoretische und historische Grundlagen: Kulturwissenschaften 567/108.13
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Kulturwissenschaften 567/208.15
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Humanities 576/203.02
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 577/203.02
Industrial Design (1. Section): Art and Cultural Studies - Basics: Cultural Studies 580/104.07
Design: Specialisation in Fashion Design (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Free Elective Pool Methodological and Theoretical Basics 584/103.80
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Art Theory, Cultural Studies, Art History, Philosophy 605/202.01
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/202.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/203.02
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Economy and Politics: Deepening / Application 700/004.20
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible