Introduction to Lacan
Amanda Holmes
Institute of Studies in Art and Art Education, Philosophy
2025W, scientific seminar (SEW), 4.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S05841
Scientific bachelor seminar for teacher education
Description
Jacques Lacan’s thought is a pillar in contemporary theory. Whether we turn to art theory, political theory, film theory, feminist theory, race theory, or media theory, we find concepts that were developed, influenced, or even invented by Lacan. This course will offer a systematic introduction to the key Lacanian concepts through close reading of Lacan’s texts and a selection of passages from his seminars. These readings will be supplemented with some of the most important commentators on Lacan. Each meeting will be dedicated to one of the key concepts of Lacan’s thought. The concepts include: the gaze, the Other, the Symbolic, the Imaginary, the Real, objet petite a, the phallus, lack, the object, the unconscious, repetition, transference, and the drive. This class is designed to be complimentary to the seminar “Freud and Lacan: Witz and the formation of the unconscious” offered by Alexi Kukuljevic in the art theory department.
Examination Modalities
Students will submit a 7-10 page explication paper which focuses on a key Lacanian concept. Possibilities include:
-object lack
-castration
-frustration
-privation
-the imaginary
-the symbolic
-the real
-the phallus
-Ophelia
-Agalma
-Transference
-Repetition
Key Words
Psychoanalysis, Lacan, Critical Theory
Dates
Thu, 09 October 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 16 October 2025, 12:00–14:00 Lecture Room 1
Thu, 23 October 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 30 October 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 06 November 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 13 November 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 20 November 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 27 November 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 04 December 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 11 December 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 18 December 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 15 January 2026, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 22 January 2026, 12:00–Fri, 23 January 2026, 14:00 Seminar Room 22
Course Enrolment
From 01 September 2025, 00:01
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 (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.85
Art Education: subject kkp (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften 067/003.25
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject tex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 071/003.80
Art Education: subject dae (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 072/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.85
Art Education: subject dex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften 074/003.25
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01
Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Philosophy 537/080.18
Stage Design (2. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Philosophie 542/207.04
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Philosophie 566/208.08
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Philosophie 567/208.08
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 1: Philosophy 568/005.07
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Philosophy 568/006.07
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 4-6: Study Area 4: Philosophy 569/022.04
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
Conservation and Restoration (2. Section): Geisteswissenschaften: Kunst- und Kulturgeschichte 588/204.10
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): Philosophy: Deepening / Application 700/003.20
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible