HSOC-216: Biopolitics

A society in which one's retina can be used as a key, where remote sensing technologies track our daily routines, and where hygiene and policing have reshaped the public sphere - this is what Michel Foucault has called the "biopolitics" of modern life. This distinct emphasis on the body and biological life can be found in every domain, from the discipline of the individual to the governance of populations, urban space, and the state. In this class, we discuss Foucault's theory in light of our contemporary situation, drawing on political philosophy, art, film, and our own experiences. Following on from Foucault, we will also look at how other writers and theorists have interpreted and adapted these ideas to look at questions of political activism, immigration and human rights, as well as gender and sexual politics. Seminar discussions and essays will provide students with an opportunity to critically examine these theories and develop their own understanding within the discourse.