Module: Psychoanalysis

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Psychoanalysis
Module Code	PSY1051 (ITS: PSYC407)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims to enable the student to critically evaluate the place of the unconscious in the development of psychological theory and to develop a critical appraisal of the fundamental characteristics associated with psychoanalytic approaches. Students will be introduced to the work of significant theorists in the field of psychoanalysis.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically examine the place of psychoanalytic theory and practice within the field of psychology
2. Critically evaluate the impact the discovery of the unconscious had on the development of a psychical topography
3. Critically analyse psychoanalytic frameworks of development and psychopathology
4. Examine the effect of language on the development of the unconscious
5. Compare and contrast theoretical positions (e.g. Freud, Klein, Jung, Erikson, Bowlby and Lacan)
6. Consider and critically explore the development of a psychoanalytic theory of group psychology and social aspects of psychoanalysis.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Delivery of lecture content
Directed learning	40	Directed readings and online material as a follow-up or in preparation for lecture content
Assignment Completion	40	Preparation, drafting and submission of continuous assessment
Independent Study	23	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11490	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Pamela Gallagher	Module Teacher	Lorraine Boran, Luiz Gasparelli Junior, Nigel Mulligan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	3000 word essay demonstrating an understanding of psychoanalytic concepts;	70%	n/a
Group presentation	Small group presentation on specific themes in psychoanalysis.	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Psychoanalysis

The Unconscious and Language

The Unconscious, Language Desire, the Oedipus Complex and Freud’s essays on sexuality

Groups, Organisations and Psychoanalysis- Bion

Defence Mechanisms

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

Discourse, Fundamental Concepts, Practice

Transference and the subject-other relationship - Lacan

Dreams and Jokes

Object Relations - Klein

Love Happiness and Relationships

Collective unconscious and archetypes - Jung

Attachment theory - Bowlby

Stages of Psychosocial Development - Erikson

Race, Gender, Sexuality, Social Class within Psychoanalysis

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Freud: 2001, The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmunnd Freud Volume 2 Studies on Hysteria, Vintage, London,
Freud: 2001, The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud Volume 7 A Case of Hysteria, Three Essays on Sexuality and Other Works., Vintage, London,
Freud: 2001, The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud Volume 22 New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis and Other Works, Vintage, London,
Ashbach, C., & Shermer, V.: 1994, Object relations the self and the group, Routledge, London,
DeBoard R: 1978, The Psychoanalysis of Organizations, Routledge Press, London,
Vanheule, S: 2011, The subject of psychosis - a Lacanian perspective., Palgrave Macmillan, London,
Verhaeghe, P: 2004, On Being Normal and Other Disorders, Other Press, New York,
Bowlby, J.: 1969, Attachment and loss. Vol 1. Attachment., Basic Books, New York,
Bowlby, J: 1973, Attachment and loss. Vol. II. Separation: anxiety and anger., Basic Books, New York.,
Erikson, E.H.: 1959, Psychological Issues, International University Press,
Fink, B.: 1999, A clinical introduction to Lacanian psychoanalysis: theory and technique., Harvard University Press, Cambridge,
Freud, S.: 1925, An Autobiographical study. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud., Vintage, London,
Freud, S.: 1919, The Uncanny. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud., Hogarth Press, London,
Freud, S: 1914, Remembering, repeating and working through. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud., Hogarth Press, London,
Freud, S: 1917, Mourning and Melancholia. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud., Hogarth Press, London,
Jung, C: 1991, The archetypes and the collective unconscious., Routledge,
Lacan, J: 1977, The Mirror Stage as Formative of the I Function, as Revealed in Psychoanalytic Experience., Norton, New York,
Waddel, M: 2002, Inside Lives: Psychoanalysis and the Growth of the Personality. The Tavistock Clinic Series., Routledge,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

website: www.lacanonline.com,
website: www.lacanianireland.com,