Gilles Deleuze: Thought, Action, Politics Course Syllabus Course Instructor: Texts: Todd May Deleuze, Gilles, Difference

and Repetition Course handouts Course Overview

We will seek to understand both the political orientation of Deleuzes thought and its ontological underpinnings. The course will start with an overview of some political themes, then turn to the ontology he constructs in Difference and Repetition, and finally return to some later political writings with the ontology in the background of discussion. With one exception, all of the readings will be from Deleuzes work. Course Schedule 2 July: Overview of Continental philosophy and Deleuzes place in it No reading 3 July: Rhizomes Rhizomes 4 July: Themes from Anti-Oedipus Flow, Code, and Stock, by Dan Smith 5 July: Transition to Difference and Repetition Nomad Thought (tentative), Difference and Repetition, Chapter 1 8 July-12 July: Difference and Repetition Difference and Repetition, Chapters 1, 3, 5 15 July: Micropolitics Micropolitics and Segmentarity 16-18 July: The War Machine The War Machine 19 July: Course conclusion No reading Note: This schedule is tentative and will likely change as the class unfolds. In particular, extended discussion of Deleuzes ontology might requirement elimination of some of the final weeks material. Course Requirements The students will be expected to attend class regularly. There is no chance that students will be able to grasp Deleuzes elusive thought without being in class every day. Each student will be required to present on a specific reading in the course, starting the second week. The presentation will occur after the material is discussed. In addition to leading the discussion, the presenter will be expected to hand out a 1-2 page outline of the discussion material. There will also be a final ten-page paper due at the end of the course. The final paper will be worth 50% of the grade, the presentation 30%, and general class participation 20%.