Teaching

Prerequisites

It is advisable to have attended Module 1.

Module Outcomes

This second module focuses on a selection of works which are crucial for the development of psychoanalysis and are perhaps some of the most well-known to the general public, The Interpretation of Dreams, Psychopathology of Everyday Life, Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious.  Notwithstanding their fame and accessibility these are not “popular” and secondary works, on the contrary they are characterized by a profoundly rigorous exposition and in fact they represent a true revolution in the cultural life of the early 20th Century. However beyond that they also represent the first systematic analysis of primary psychic processes, the first systematic approach to the study of the unconscious. This aspect of psychic life was perhaps understood by philosophers and poets with powerful and meaningful insight, however it was only through Freud’s work that it became an object of scientific knowledge. The analysis of these works together with other minor works includes the writings from 1898 to 1906, and aims to systematically describe the methods of analysis and interpretation developed by Freud. As s result fundamental concepts will be introduced such as condensation, displacement, compromise-formation and psychic determinism which are fundamental to understanding and interpreting dreams and lapses. The study of primary processes is essential for the definition of metapsychological understanding which will be examined in Module 3.

Concise Program

The program will follow the reading and study of the main works.

Interpretation of Dreams

  • General characteristics of dreams
  • The methodology of dream interpretation. Analysis of a sample dream
  • The dream as fulfilment of desires
  • Distortion and material in dreams
  • The dream work: condensation, displacement, dramatization, representation, symbolism, secondary elaboration

Psychopathology of Everyday Life

  • Forgetfulness, screen memories, lapses, unintended actions
  • Psychic determinism

Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious

  • Analysis of jokes
  • The mechanism of pleasure and the psychogenesis of jokes
  • Relation of jokes to dreams

Primary processes and psychopathology

Expected Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this module the students should have understood and analysed the interpretations of the main examples in Freud’s works. At the same time they should be able to understand the main psychic mechanisms relating to their formation. In addition the knowledge and mastery of these analytic methods forms an aspect of preparation for the study of metapsychological elaborations.

Teaching Method

The module requires students individually to read in full the Freudian texts indicated in the bibliography. Before each lesson the sections to read will be indicated. The lessons will both introduce the texts and also provide concrete assistance in interpreting more complex passages. Sometimes there will be in-depth tasks undertaken by individual students or in small groups. The tasks will be prepared in written form and assigned from time to time to students by the supervisor in relation to the themes. The research activities include a bibliographic search, the translation of articles of interest or the preparation of a summary of articles or monographs. It will be possible to make appointments for individual meetings between lecturer and student to discuss the progress of the studies. The lessons will take place weekly or fortnightly.

Evaluation

The evaluation will be based on written work and an oral presentation which aims to assess the effective reading of Freud’s work as per the program.  Any student can present a brief in-depth monograph on one of the course themes.

Bibliography

Essential reading

Freudian texts:

  • Volumes 2,3,4,5 of WSF. These 4 volumes contain the texts which will be read specifically
  • The Psychical Mechanism of Forgetfulness (1898)
  • Screen Memories (1899)
  • The Interpretation of Dreams (all except Chapter 7) (1899)
  • On Dreams (1900)
  • Psychopathology of Everyday Life (1901)
  • Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious (1905)
  • Letters to Fliess

Other authors

  • Gay, Peter; “Freud: A Life for Our Time” Bompiani 2000

Supplementary Reading

A list of supplementary works will be provided during the course of the module when relevant to further in-depth study.

Reference Books

Jones, E., “The Life and Work of Sigmund Freud”, Il Saggiatore. Milano. 1995 3 Volumes

Jean-Bernard Pontalis, Jean Laplanche, Encyclopedia of Psychoanalysis