Foucaldian Perspectives in Criminology [ LCRIM2503 ]

At the theoretical level : consolidation of knowledge pertaining to the writings of M. Foucault on criminology and security (position in the work; epistemological, theoretical, methodological, ethical stakes); consolidation of knowledge pertaining to those Foucauldian concepts which are fundamental for criminology and security studies.

At the methodological level : consolidation of knowledge pertaining to the Foucauldian "toolbox"; familiarisation with the archaeological and genealogical methods; training in document analysis. 

At the level of "applications" : consolidation of knowledge pertaining to the criminological elaborations inscribed - or claiming to be inscribed - in a Foucauldian perspective (C. Gordon, N. Rose, J. Simon, J. Donzelot, D. Bigo); critical appreciation of these elaborations, using as yardstick the aim which M. Foucault ascribed his work.

At the ethical level : through the analysis of the tensions which traverse the work of M. Foucault and which give it its dynamic, students will be familiarised with the implications of an ethics of science and with its innovative effects - epistemological, theoretical, methodological, and even aesthetical and stylistic effects -; they will learn to evaluate the uses, functions and effects of Foucauldian research.

At the end of the course students will have acquired - The theoretical knowledge enabling them to

- Explain how the question of the validity, truth, method and limits of the scientific enterprise are constructed and solved in the Foucauldian perspective (archaeology and genealogy)

- Draw relevant implications for research taking place in the criminological field 

The methodological skills enabling them to undertake the 1) carrying out and 2) evaluation of research studying the processes of historical transformation of criminality and penality in the Foucauldian perspective. Skills in document analysis, necessary to the archaeological and genealogical methods, are particularly relevant.