Foucault, Discipline and Punish, pages 3-31, 135-228

Foucault is difficult reading. Through his distinctive prose and vocabulary, Foucault creates a discursive world possessing many of the same properties of the "real" world he attempts to describe. In preparation for our class discussion, you should focus on the terms Foucault uses and how they relate to each other in his arguments about discipline and power. Then think about the ways you might challenge or revise his arguments.

We'll begin our class discussion on Wednesday by generating questions about Foucault, so come to class prepared with a list of things which you find confusing, interesting, or problematic.

1. What does Foucault mean by "power"? How does it relate to "knowledge," and how does knowledge operate?

2. How does Foucault describe and interpret a historical change in forms of punishment? Why are changing forms of punishment and discipline significant? Do you find his argument convincing?

3. What does Foucault mean by "discipline"? How does discipline relate to knowledge, bodies, and power?

4. Who exercises power in Foucault's argument? Why do forms of power change? Is resistance possible?

5. How might Foucault's discussion help us to understand the relationship between gender, divisions of labor, social status, and cultural values?

 

For more information, contact:  aleshkow@holycross.edu