Searching for Freud Amidst the Cow and Bull

To Cow or the Act of Cowing (v. intrans.) To list data (or perform operations) without awareness of, or comment upon, the contexts, frames of reference, or points of observation which determine the origin, nature, and meaning of the data *(or procedures). To write on the assumption that "a fact is a fact." To present evidence of hard work as a substitute for understanding, without any intent to deceive.

To Bull or the Act of Bulling (v. intrans.) To discourse upon the contexts, frames of reference and points of observation which would determine the origin, nature, and meaning of data if one had any. To present evidence of an understanding of form in the hope that the reader may be deceived into supposing a familiarity with content

Phallocentric? Is William Perry…

Literature and Psychology FREUD (ALL) LITERATURE (ALL) In 13 weeks at the sophomore level

ANXIETY Low exam scores Poor essays Abysmal quiz grades General disinterest Inability to translate from one medium to the other (Freud to Lit or Lit to Freud.)

Grades

How to be a Bull-y Q:Articulate the course goal – what is it that I MOST want students to leave this course knowing? A: How to apply Freudian Theory to Literature and Life in general

Rethinking the Syllabus EITHER OR ALL of Freud? ALL of Literature? For sophomores in 13 weeks? The Drives (Sex and Aggression) and stages of Development (oral, Anal and Genital) The Pleasure Principle and Reality Principle The Psychic Apparatus The Oedipal Complex Defense Mechanisms

Tools of the Trade Three day a week classes Repetition Modeling of Application

New CATs implemented in 2005 One Minute Summaries Invented Dialogues Role Play Applying these exercises to the literature at hand.

Cat in the Hat pre CAT On page one, the boy hears a bump that draws his attention. He’s bored because it’s raining and he can’t play outside. That bump is his psychic apparatus. On page two, the Cat in the Hat enters the house. The Cat is Talkative and gets the boy’s attention. The Cat is a part of the psychic apparatus.

One Minute Summary “The Cat in the Hat” is a ‘children’s’ story, but it is pretty obvious that Dr. Seuss is talking about the Psychic Apparatus. The Cat represents the Id that wants what it wants when it wants it. The Fish represents the Superego or the Parent telling everyone what they “should do.” The boy has to be the Ego trying to balance the other two.

Invented Dialogue Patient: “I seem to find it fun to do things I’m not always supposed to do when my mom is out for the day. I find ways to get into trouble, and then I try to hide it from her before she gets home.” Dr. Freud: “Interesting. Do you think that this need to act out might be a representation of the Oedipal Complex?” Patient: “I don’t think so; I don’t feel any aggression toward my parents.” Dr. Freud: “Interesting. Perhaps, then, it is an overdeveloped Id – you want everything with immediate gratification.”

Role Play Student 1/Patient: I don’t see why I have to talk to a therapist about my need to have fun. Student 2/Freud: Perhaps you are being self destructive with this “fun.” Student 1/Patient: I think I deserve to have fun on a rainy day! Student 2/Freud: Of course you do, but you don’t have to endanger yourself or others in order to have fun. If you can only wait until your mother gets home to supervise your games, everything will be okay.

Application Essay Excerpt: “While most people consider ‘The Cat in the Hat’ merely a children’s story, its message goes much deeper into the makings of the Psychic Apparatus. Each character in this tale represents the Id, Ego or Superego in an effort to clarify the many compulsions each of us must go through in making ‘mature’ decisions.”

2005 Literature and Psychology Grades Still in process, but the first class shows marked improvement.