Positioning Subjects: Psychoanalysis and Critical Educational Studies

(Hardback)

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Description

This book addresses an area that is theoretically undeveloped in educational studiesthe constitution of the human subject. The author uses psychoanalysis to explore this gap in critical studies of education. Educational progressivism overestimates the power of rationality and represses any understanding of unconscious mental processes. What is needed is the development of a psychodynamic 'social psychology of classes.' According to the author, we need to investigate the differential relations between institutional and self-formative processes.

Reviews

Appel's excursion into the critical sociology of education presents a much needed synthesis of Freudian and Marxist themes and pinpoints significant gaps in earlier efforts to integrate those traditions....His treatise will be welcomed by scholars in critical educational studies...-Choice
The importance of this book lies not only in its theoretical scope and depth, but also in its courageous exploration into new theoretical ideas.-Educational Philosophy and Theory
"The importance of this book lies not only in its theoretical scope and depth, but also in its courageous exploration into new theoretical ideas."-Educational Philosophy and Theory
"Appel's excursion into the critical sociology of education presents a much needed synthesis of Freudian and Marxist themes and pinpoints significant gaps in earlier efforts to integrate those traditions....His treatise will be welcomed by scholars in critical educational studies..."-Choice

Author Bio

STEPHEN APPEL is a lecturer in the Department of Education at the University of Auckland.