Critical Theory
Code: 100304Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | OB | 3 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Jaume Estrada Medina
- Email :
- jaume.estrada@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
No prerequisites apply in order to enrole the course.
Objectives
Critical Theory is a compulsory suject in the third year of the philosophy degree. This course offers an historical and systematic picture of the main philosophical problems addressed by the critical theory developed mainly by the so-called Frankfurt School. To this aim, we will study some of the main texts that have produced the three generations of philosophers and the current trends of the feminist critical theory.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
- Understanding the main problems and concepts used by critical theory.
- To identify, analyze and explain some concepts and arguments.
- To know the main theoretical approaches.
- To be familiar with the main texts of the critical tradition.
- To use the philosophical terminology appropriately.
- Developing the skills for the student's reasoning.
- To promote written and oral presentations of the acquired knowledge.
- To identify the conceptual, analytical and methodological potential offered by the critical theory.
- To establish a dialogue between the tradition of critical theory and other contemporary currents of social philosophy.
Learning outcomes
- CM13 (Demonstrate intellectual autonomy, openness to dissent, and commitment to epistemic and social justice.) Demonstrate intellectual autonomy, openness to dissent, and commitment to epistemic and social justice.
- CM14 (Develop innovative proposals in which the role of philosophy in social and cultural transformation is recognised through ethical positioning in the face of various inequalities, as well as discrimination in the environment on the basis of gender, race or class.) Develop innovative proposals in which the role of philosophy in social and cultural transformation is recognised through ethical positioning in the face of various inequalities, as well as discrimination in the environment on the basis of gender, race or class.
- CM15 (Contrast through dialogue different contemporary philosophical currents, favoring interdisciplinary and inclusive reflection.) Contrast through dialogue different contemporary philosophical currents, favoring interdisciplinary and inclusive reflection.
- KM14 (Recognise the main contemporary philosophical currents, their historical contexts and their theoretical implications.) Recognise the main contemporary philosophical currents, their historical contexts and their theoretical implications.
- KM15 (Associate the different conceptions of the subject, language, history, justice and power in contemporary thought.) Associate the different conceptions of the subject, language, history, justice and power in contemporary thought.
- KM16 (Demonstrate a critical and plural philosophical vision of the contemporary world, aware of its social, political and cultural complexities and attentive to the impact of power relations on the shaping of discourses and identities.) Demonstrate a critical and plural philosophical vision of the contemporary world, aware of its social, political and cultural complexities and attentive to the impact of power relations on the shaping of discourses and identities.
- KM45 (Identify between the features that define an author's place in the context of a problem and reorganise them into a coherent scheme.) Identify between the features that define an author's place in the context of a problem and reorganise them into a coherent scheme.
- SM14 (Apply conceptual tools from various contemporary philosophical traditions to address current problems.) Apply conceptual tools from various contemporary philosophical traditions to address current problems.
- SM15 (Apply a critical and plural philosophical vision of the contemporary world, with an awareness of its social, political and cultural complexities.) Apply a critical and plural philosophical vision of the contemporary world, with an awareness of its social, political and cultural complexities.
- SM16 (Integrate contributions from different theoretical currents to formulate a grounded social perspective on historicity, language, rationality, oppression and identity.) Integrate contributions from different theoretical currents to formulate a grounded social perspective on historicity, language, rationality, oppression and identity.
Contents
Topic 1: The Frankfurt School and the idea of a Critical Theory
The appropriateness of the term “School” and the shared assumptions among its members. The distinctiveness of Critical Theory in contemporary philosophy.
Readings:
- M. Horkheimer, Teoría tradicional i teoría crítica
Topic 2: The critique of instrumental Reason
The role of the critique of instrumental reason within Critical Theory and its relationship with domination, progress, and History.
Readings:
- Th. W. Adorno i M. Horkeimer, La dialéctica de la Ilustración
- M. Horkheimer, Sobre el concepto de la razón
- M. Horkheimer, Crítica de la razón instrumental
Topic 3: Negative Dialectics
Dialectics: neither method, nor methodology, nor reality? The transition from positive dialectics to negative dialectics. Constellations and critiques of positivism and ontology.
Readings:
- Th.W. Adorno, Dialéctica Negativa
- Th.W. Adorno, La disputa del positivismo en la sociología alemana
Topic 4: The damaged Subject
The preeminence of the object and individuation as a model of contemporary socialization: from social atomization to internal division.
Readings:
- Th.W. Adorno, Sobre la metacrítica de la teoría del conocimiento
- Th.W. Adorno, Sobre sujeto y objeto
- Th. W. Adorno, Minima Moralia
Topic 5: The communicative Reason
The reformulation of the concept of communication by Jürgen Habermas and the impasse of the critique of instrumental reason.
Readings:
- J. Habermas, Conocimiento e interés
- J. Habermas, Teoría de la acción comunicativa
Topic 6: The reconnaissance and the critique of life forms
The most recent contributions to Critical Theory: from Axel Honneth’s theory of recognition to Rahel Jaeggi’s critique of forms of life.
Readings:
- A. Honneth, Reconocimineto y menosprecio. Sobre la fundamentación normativa de una teoría social
- R. Jaeggi, Hacia una crítica inmanente de las formas de vida
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conducting works | 12.5 | 0.5 | CM13, CM14, KM14, KM15, KM16, SM14, SM15, SM16 |
| Grup discussions | 10 | 0.4 | CM13, CM14, CM15, SM14, SM15, SM16 |
| Theorical Classes | 38 | 1.52 | CM15, KM14, KM15 |
| Compulsory Readings | 40 | 1.6 | CM13, CM15, KM14, KM15, KM45, SM16 |
| Tutorships | 10 | 0.4 | CM13, CM14, CM15, KM45, SM14, SM15, SM16 |
| Class Activities | 7 | 0.28 | CM13, CM14, CM15, SM14, SM15, SM16 |
| Writing | 25 | 1 | CM13, CM14, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM45, SM15, SM16 |
Classes will help to introduce and present the content and compulsory readings, as well as recommended texts, following various methodologies: lectures, group work based on texts, and flipped classroom sessions.
We strongly recommend to read the compulsory readings before each lecture.
Follow-up will be provided during the preparation of written assignments in order to give feedback throughout the writing process. These follow-ups will take place during individual tutorials held during office hours, which will also guide students in choosing a personalized path for this task.
Regular communication between students and the teaching staff will take place via the Virtual Campus.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing a brief essay (1500 words) | 20% | 2 | 0.08 | CM13, CM14, KM15, KM16, KM45, SM14, SM15, SM16 |
| Tutorships and participation | 10% | 2 | 0.08 | CM13, CM14, CM15, KM45 |
| Mid-Term Exam 2 | 35% | 2 | 0.08 | CM13, CM15, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM45, SM14, SM15, SM16 |
| Mid-term Exam 1 | 35% | 1.5 | 0.06 | CM13, CM15, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM45, SM14, SM15, SM16 |
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
Continuous assessment will consist of three graded activities and assumes class attendance, active participation, and ongoing engagement with the course.
To pass the continuous assessment, all assessment activities must be completed, and the average grade must be at least 5 out of 10.
Assessment activities:
a) Two midterm exams – 7 points total
a.1) Midterm 1 – 3.5 points
a.2) Midterm 2 – 3.5 points
b) Written assignment – 2 points
c) Assignment follow-up and class participation – 1 point
The assessment dates will be announced during the first week of the course.
In those situations where, in accordance with Article 264 of the Academic Regulations and the supporting documentation that justifies them, assessment activities scheduled for the first assessment period must be rescheduled, such activities shall be rescheduled and held on the same date as the assessment activity corresponding to the second assessment period of the course or, where applicable, during the resit assessment period.
If the circumstance affects an assessment activity scheduled for the second assessment period, the activity shall be rescheduled to the date established for the resit assessment period, without affecting the resit process established for the course.
In all cases, taking into account the specific circumstances, the Degree Coordination, in agreement with the Course Coordination, may determine an alternative date if deemed appropriate.
Recovery Exam
To be eligible for the recovery exam, students must have completed and been assessed on all the activities included in the continuous assessment.
The written assignment as well as the assignment follow-up and class participation cannot be retaken. Therefore, only the midterm exams can be retaken.
The teaching staff will inform students of the procedure and date for the review of assessment grades, both for the continuous assessment and the resit.
SINGLE ASSESSMENT
Single assessment will consist of three parts, weighted as follows:
a) Exam with two theoretical questions – 40%
b) Commentary on an excerpt from the course bibliography – 30%
c) One comparative question relating authors studied during the course – 30%
Recovery Exam
The same assessment method as continuous assessment will be used.
A student will receive a “Non-assessable” grade if they have submitted less than 30% of the assessment activities. Therefore, ifthe student hascompleted one of thetwo exams, they cannot be considered “Non-assessable.”
Erasmusstudents who request to take an exam in advance must present the teaching staff with an official document from their home university justifying the request.
In cases where a student commits any irregularity that could significantly alter the grade of an assessment activity, that activity will be graded with 0, regardless of any disciplinary action taken. If multiple irregularities occur in a single course, the final grade for that course will be 0.
This course allows the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools exclusively for bibliographic or information searches, text correction, or translations. The student must clearly identify the parts generated using AI, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced the process and the final result. Failure to transparently declare AI use in any assessed activity in this course will be considered academic dishonesty and will result in a grade of 0 for the activity, which cannot be recovered, or more serious sanctions in severe cases.
Bibliography
References
Adorno, Th. W. (2012). Sobre la metacrítica de la teoría del conocimiento. Madrid: Akal
Adorno, Th. W. (2005). Dialèctica Negativa. Madrid: Akal
Adorno, Th. W. (2022). Minima Moralia. Madrid: Akal
Adorno, Th. (2003). Sobre sujeto y objeto. A Consignas. Buenos Aires: Amorrortu editores
Adorno, Th. (2008). La disputa del positivismo en la sociología alemana. A Escritos sociológícos I. Madrid: Akal
Adorno, Th. y Horkheimer, M. (2022). Dialéctica de la Ilustración. Madrid: Akal
Habermas, J. (2023). Conocimiento e interés. Madrid: Taurus.
Habermas, J. (2010). Teoría de la acción comunicativa. Madrid: Trotta
Honneth, A. (2010). Reconocimiento y menosprecio: sobre la fundamentación normativa de una teoría social. Buenos Aires: Katz
Horkheimer, M. (2000). Teoría tradicional y teoría crítica. Barcelona: Paidós
Horkheimer, M. (2002). Crítica de la razón instrumental. Madrid: Trotta
Horkheimer, M. (1989). Sobre el concepto de la razón. A Sociológica. Madrid: Taurus
Jaeggi, R. (2018). Critique of forms of life. Cambridge: Harvard University Press
The lecturer will provide the specific bibliography for each subject.
Further Readings
Benhabib, S. (2006). El Ser y el otro en la ética contemporánea: feminismo, comunitarismo y posmodernismo. Barcelona: Gedisa.
Benjamin, W. (2005). El libro de los pasajes. Madrid: Akal
Benjamin, W. (2007). Tesis sobre la filosofia de la Història. València: Ateneu de Benimaclet
Benjamin, W. (2012). El origen del Trauerspiel alemán. Madrid: Abada
Buck-Morss, S. (2011). Origen de la dialéctica negativa. Buenos Aires: Eterna Cadencia
Habermas, J. (1989). El discurso filosófico de la modernidad. Madrid: Taurus.
Honneth, A., et al. (2019), The Routledge Companion to the Frankfurt School, Routledge.
Honneth, A. (1997). La lucha por el reconocimiento: por una gramática moral de los conflictos sociales. Barcelona: Crítica
Jameson, F. (2010). Marxismo tardío. Adorno y la persistencia de la dialéctica. Madrid: FCE
Jay, M. (1988). La imaginación dialéctica. Madrid: Taurus
Maiso, J. (2022). Desde la vida dañada. La teoría crítica de Theodor W. Adorno. Madrid: Siglo XXI
Marcuse, H. (2025). Eros y civilización. Barceona: Ariel
Marcuse, H. (2024). El hombre unidimensional. Barcelona: Virus
Rius, M. (1985). T.W. Adorno. Del sufrimiento a la verdad. Barcelona: Laia
Rush, F. (ed.) (2004). The Cambridge Companion to Critical Theory. Cambridge: CUP
Wellmer, A. (1992). Sobre la dialéctica de modernidad y postmodernidad. Madrid: La balsa de la medusa
Wiggershaus, R. (2012). La escuela de Fráncfort. Madrid: FCE
Software
No specific program is used in this course.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |