Critical Theory Workshop 2015

The Critical Theory Workshop / Atelier de Théorie Critique is a research program that takes place every July in Paris, France.  Founded by Gabriel Rockhill in 2008, the primary objective of the Workshop is to provide an international forum for interdisciplinary and comparative work in critical theory, in the broadest sense of the term. Participants are exposed to the work of contemporary thinkers and engage with current debates in the Francophone world.

The Workshop, which takes place at the Sorbonne in central Paris, does not follow the traditional structure of a course, with exegetical lectures, assignments and grades. Instead, it functions as a collaborative platform for the sharing and perfecting of autonomous research projects. It is comprised of three components:

• a research forum on a specific topic in which “recherches en cours” are presented and discussed
• a series of public rencontres, or debates and discussions with prominent or emerging intellectuals
• working groups in which each participant workshops a specific research project in consultation with other participants

The last two components—unlike the research forum—are not organized around a specific yearly theme.

Although these activities are oriented toward a graduate level of education, anyone with the requisite background is welcome to apply. One of the objectives is to create a relatively egalitarian space of collaboration that cuts across the standard academic distinctions between professors and students. Participants often include, therefore, very advanced undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, faculty, autodidacts, artists, writers and independent researchers.

The language of instruction is English, but some of the activities take place in French with English summary translations. Therefore, it is highly recommended that applicants have a working knowledge of the French language, which will be important for analyzing original texts in the research forum and understanding the nuances of the activities that will take place in French with English translations.