Description
Jacques Lacan: Introductory Overview
Jacques Lacan Introductory Overview is about an important figure in the history of psychoanalysis and continues to be an influential force in many other fields as well, including philosophy, art, and literature. Sometimes referred to as the French Freud, Jacques Lacan saw himself as a fierce defender of Sigmund Freud’s work. He met with controversy throughout his life, as he took issue with the direction of Anglo-American psychoanalysis and with the ways in which Freud’s constructs were interpreted by others. Despite being ostracized at various times by much of the psychoanalytic community, he developed a strong interdisciplinary following of philosophers, artists, and literary scholars, and remained a prolific writer and lecturer throughout his 50-year career.
Jacques Lacan’s thinking continued to evolve throughout his life, from his first publication in 1932 until his death in 1981. His concepts and writings are infamous for their complexity and elusiveness. The foundation of this course is an article that presents an introductory overview of many of his basic concepts, as they evolved through his work.
Author and Instructor for Jacques Lacan: Introductory Overview
The article is authored by Adrian Johnston, PhD. Dr. Johnston is a faculty member at the Emory Psychoanalytic Institute in Atlanta and Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque. He has authored numerous publications, including a recent book, Irrepressible Truth: On Lacan’s “The Freudian Thing” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2017).
The article was selected by Michael J. Gerson, PhD (Instructor). Dr. Gerson is a licensed psychologist, psychoanalyst, and marriage and family therapist. He is a professor emeritus in the Graduate School of Psychology at California Lutheran University and active clinician. He has been training other clinicians for over 30 years, both in his private practice, in community counseling centers, and in graduate programs. His own work with clients has been deepened by his knowledge of Lacan’s theory.
Please contact the Director (mgersonphd@psychstudies.net) if you would like help in accessing the article.
CE Credits for Jacques Lacan: Introductory Overview
This course earns 4 continuing education credits. The Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Conflicts of Interest or Commercial Support
There is no commercial support or other potential conflicts of interest for this program, presentation, or instructor.
Commitment to Diversity and Accessibility
We are committed to respecting diversity in all of its forms, including age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, language, socioeconomic status, religion, and disability. We also strive to make all of our activities accessible to individuals with special needs or disabilities. Please contact the Director at mgersonphd@psychstudies.net if you ever have any questions or concerns regarding any of our programs.
Sources and Relevance
Our programs and teaching methods are supported by current, empirically-based scientific literature, and are designed to provide continuing education that is relevant to psychological practice, education, and/or research, so that psychologists may maintain and expand their ability to serve the public and contribute to the profession.
Target Audience for Jacques Lacan: Introductory Overview
Our courses are designed for postdoctoral-level psychologists; this course is an intermediate-level course. All mental health professionals, educators, and researchers have a variety of educational backgrounds and needs—if you have any questions about whether this course could benefit you and/or would be appropriate for your level of training, please do not hesitate to contact us. You may contact the Director directly at mgersonphd@psychstudies.net with any questions or concerns.
Course Schedule
This course will be available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you will be able pace yourself in a manner that is comfortable for you.
Cost and Refund/Cancellation Policy
The cost of the course is noted below. There are no additional fees other than the nominal cost of joining the Friends of the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Society (SEPS), if you choose to do so. Membership in SEPS is open to everyone and costs approximately $10 or less per year. You may also contact our Director (mgersonphd@psychstudies.net) if you would like help in accessing the article. Your satisfaction is important to us. If you are not satisfied with a course, please let us know immediately—we will cancel your order and gladly offer you a full refund.
Course Format Summary for Jacques Lacan: Introductory Overview
This course consists of reading an article published about Jacques Lacan and his work. The article presents an overview of many of Lacan’s basic concepts. His ideas are known to be challenging, so enough time has been allotted to review the article more than once, so as to begin a mastery of the complex concepts. After reading the article, access an online multiple choice test on this site. As with all of our courses, the test may be taken an unlimited number of times until mastery (score of 75% or higher). A Certificate of Completion will immediately follow passage of the test.
The article is:
Johnston, A., “Jacques Lacan”, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Winter 2016 Edition], available through the Friends of the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Society). Please contact our Director (mgersonphd@psychstudies.net) if you would like assistance in accessing the article.
Intermediate level. This course may be applied to the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy if desired. 4 CE credits. $49.
