Faculty of Arts and Education
Deakin University
Drawing on two decades of teaching and research in psychoanalysis at Deakin University, the Psychoanalytic Studies Program provides a world class off-campus teaching program in psychoanalytic studies, accessible to students from around Australia and the globe, and unique in Australasia.
Our courses introduce students to, and critically examine, the canonical works of psychoanalysis: the writings of Freud, Lacan, Klein, the object relations school, and the Tavistock Institute. The systematic study of psychoanalysis offered in the course emphasises theoretical, conceptual and clinical issues in psychoanalysis and its history, as well as the broader social and cultural implications of psychoanalytic theory and practice.
Although the course offers a flexible curriculum, the program centres around the challenging theoretical work of Jacques Lacan (1901-1981). Lacan's 'return to the meaning of Freud' not only profoundly influenced the development of psychoanalysis in France and elsewhere, but has had a profound influence on a variety of academic fields, including philosophy, feminist studies, aesthetics, literary criticism and film theory. Our staff, which includes Lacan translator Associate Professor Russell Grigg, gathers together internationally recognised specialists in Lacanian theory.
The postgraduate courses in psychoanalytic studies are aimed to engage with issues and concerns relevant to the work of mental health professionals in particular, whether psychotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers or workers in allied mental health fields. The courses are also of interest to academics, scholars and students interested in psychoanalysis and related fields.
The Program's research seminars (news and events) aim to provide students with the opportunity to engage on a regular basis with nationally and internationally recognised scholars in psychoanalysis and related fields. Teachers in the program coordinate ongoing reading groups in the work of Lacan, held in conjunction with the program seminar series.
Please visit our staff profiles to learn more about the people involved with this course:
