Rethinking Politics: the work of Wendy Brown

Political Philosophy Research Seminar Series

Rethinking Politics: the work of Wendy Brown 

Pavilion Parade, Staff Common Room

20th September - 28th October 2013 

This research seminar, hosted by CAPPE and the Faculty of Arts, is aimed at staff and research students interested in contemporary politics, philosophy and critical theory. Every year we focus on a different theorist or issue, engaging in a close critical reading of their work. In previous years we have read Badiou, Adorno and most recently Laclau. This year our reading of Wendy Brown’s work finishes with a week-long workshop and conference between the 4^th and the 8^th of November. Professor Brown will lead a two day workshop, and then deliver a key note address for the conference.

On this course we will systematically read through Professor Brown’s work, focusing on (among other topics) her critique of the gendered nature of politics and political philosophy, her conceptualisation of democracy and power, her engagement with the politics of the present, in light of our waning ‘faith’ in modernity, her sustained critique of liberal tolerance, and her account of walls, in light of the decline of sovereign power. We end the course with consideration of neoliberalism, as this will be one of the primary issues explored by Professor Brown during her visit to Brighton. All members of the Universities of Sussex and Brighton are welcome to participate. If you would like to attend please email Mark Devenney on md17@brighton.ac.uk.

All sessions, other than the introductory workshop, will be held between 4.30pm and 7.00pm on Monday evenings. The course will begin with a one day workshop, on Friday the 20^th of September. A reading pack will be distributed to all participants. 

The course will be followed by a two-day work shop with Wendy Brown on the 5th and 6th November and a two-day conference Conflict, Revolt and Democracy in the Neoliberal World, 7th - 8th November, where Wendy Brown will be the Keynote Speaker.