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HU Credits:
2
Degree/Cycle:
2nd degree (Master)
Responsible Department:
Cultural Studies-Individual Graduate Prog.
Semester:
1st Semester
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
Dr. Omri Grinberg
Coordinator Office Hours:
By appointment
Teaching Staff:
Dr. Amit Omri Grinberg
Course/Module description:
We tend to think of violence as direct action (by a person, a group or organization, or the state) – to cause an experience of physical pain, with mental repercussions, as part of an attempt to achieve a larger strategic aim. In the last two decades, critical scholarship has suggested new ways of understanding “violence”, in an attempt to notice significant modes of action and control that go on and on while alluding recognition. In parallel, perceptions of resistance have also broadened – it is no longer perceived solely as a direct and revolutionary/subversive response to suppression, but also as a multitude of opportunities to contend, avoid, and survive.
Among the more pertinent theories of violence are Structural Violence, Slow Violence, and Symbolic Violence. Each acts differently, between varying actors, serving diverse purposes, while also often working in parallel and merging.
Course/Module aims:
In this course we will survey theories of violence mainly through studies in Anthropology, History, and Cultural Studies (with some insights from Law and Sociology). We will understand them through case studies and cultural texts, in order to notice both separately and in their conjoined formations.
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Throughout, we’ll contend with three major questions: (1) How does a definition of a violent act form as such; (2) What do we “gain” and what do we “lose” (politically, morally) by elucidating sub-definitions of violence, and (3) how do these (sub-definitions) influence the positioning of violence in different discourses (such as art, media, activism, academia, and law).
Attendance requirements(%):
80
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Note regarding course requirements and the grade:
15% - Oral presentation and/or Slides, introducing a cultural text dealing with violence.
15% - One scholarly text summary, relating it to the cultural text of your choice.
70% - "take home" exam, in which you will need to convey in-depth knowledge of at least three syllabus items through an analysis of the cultural text you chose.
Seminar – background and explanation by the lecturer and open discussions. At times we will work in smaller groups who will then come together for a wider discussion. As part of the course assignments, students will be asked to present (either themselves and/or in a PowerPoint/Slides) a cultural text contending with violence.
Course/Module Content:
*Tentative plan (as of August 2023):
Sessions 1-2 – Introduction: What is violence?
Sessions 3-4: Structural and symbolic violence, and the state
Sessions 5-6: Demonstrations, police violence, anti-liberalism and racism.
Sessions 7-8: Slow violence – environment and infrastructure
Sessions 9-10: Torture and documentation
Sessions 11-12: Language, denial, and resistance
Required Reading:
Will be updated shortly.
Additional Reading Material:
N/A
Grading Scheme :
Essay / Project / Final Assignment / Home Exam / Referat 70 %
Presentation / Poster Presentation / Lecture/ Seminar / Pro-seminar / Research proposal 30 %
Additional information:
N/A
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