58勛圖

PY4662 Critical Theory

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr G W B Pedriali

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Walter Pedriali

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The module will introduce students to critical theory and its distinctively social epistemology. After tracing the origins of critical theory in the works of Hegel, Marx, and Freud, we'll examine some of the key writings by first-generation critical theorists such as Horkheimer, Adorno, and Marcuse, as well as the discourse ethics of the most prominent contemporary critical theorist, J羹rgen Habermas. We shall also be discussing some recent attempts to reshape critical theory in the light of current theoretical concerns in gender and postcolonial studies. The topics dealt with in the module include philosophy of technology, the distinctive critique of the Enlightenment and of its conception of reason, the sustained attack by critical theorists on the positivist fact/value distinction and its attendant conception of experience, and the need to characterise a set of historically informed normative values that can guide human action as part of a philosophy of liberation.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1012

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Students will attend 3 hours of classes (lectures and seminars) per week. The staff member will also hold a weekly office hour for consultation with students on this module

Scheduled learning hours

50

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

259

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.