Summer School: Critical Theory

Call for Applications

Summer School: Critical Theory

11 – 17 July 2021

Faculty of Philosophy, University of Groningen in cooperation with the Groningen School of Critical Theory

With: Kristina Lepold (Berlin), Timo Jütten, (Essex), Lars Rensmann (Groningen ) and Titus Stahl, (Groningen )

Contact: [email protected]

More information: https://www.rug.nl/education/summer-winter-schools/critical-theory/

Note: Due to the ongoing effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is not yet clear whether the summer school can be taught on location in Groningen or whether it will be conducted in an online format. Naturally, the summer school will only be taught on-campus if this is deemed safe by the Dutch public health authorities and if the vast majority of participants will be able to travel to Groningen for that purpose. When registering, you will be able to indicate whether an on-campus and/or an online option is acceptable for you. We will communicate a final decision about the format of the summer school before offering places to applicants. Please also register if you are only interested participating online or in-person, respectively.

In the case that the summer school will be conducted online, we plan to have a highly interactive format that includes one-on-one tutorials with the lecturers that integrate the personal research interests and research projects or participants, small-scale group tutorials and projects, and a variety of interactive formats in which to engage with the material and the lectures, as well as social features that allow for informal interaction.

Critical theory, in the tradition of the Frankfurt School, aims to develop a philosophical understanding and evaluation of social conflicts in contemporary societies. It engages not only with classic philosophy but also with the social sciences, psychoanalysis and aesthetics. From its start almost a century ago, it has supplied deep insights into the links between knowledge, culture and economy, as well as a distinctive philosophical method. In this summer school we will examine classic questions and contemporary debates in critical theory and their relevance for understanding crisis in present-day societies.

The summer school will feature lectures by distinguished researchers in contemporary critical theory, discussing their ongoing research projects, and roundtable workshops on selected classic texts as well as discussions of student papers. You will get acquainted with the social- philosophical methodology of critical theory and its approaches to politics and culture, specifically its contributions to the study of political and social crisis, power, ideology, mass culture, and aesthetics. Our discussions aim at inspiring new insights with societal relevance. Critical theory’s interdisciplinary engagement with philosophy will allow you to develop new perspectives for your own research.

The summer school aims at generating discussions among researchers at all career stages. Advanced bachelor students are especially encouraged to attend and actively participate in the summer school.