The concept of the "Other" holds significant importance in understanding various phenomena, such as power
dynamics, relationships of power, the formation of identities, among other. Consequently, the theory exploring the
connections between the "Other" and the self is a rich interdisciplinary area within the humanities and social
sciences. In today's globalized world, where interactions with those who are different from us are a part of everyday
life and can also be a source of conflict, grasping the logic behind these interactions is crucial.
In this course, we will begin by examining the concept of social representations, its functions, and its relationship
with the notion of the "Other," drawing on the works of authors such as Van Leeuwen, Jean-Claude Abric,
Durkheim, and others. Subsequently, we will delve into the ideas of prominent thinkers who have engaged in
significant discussions on this topic, including Lacan, Levinas, Sartre, Foucault, Todorov, and more. By doing so,
students will not only gain a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical concept and its various
interpretations but also learn how to connect it with other academic inquiries, such as issues related to
domination, the legitimization of power, tolerance, intercultural coexistence, the process of self-identification,
exclusion mechanisms, the cognitive functions of mental representations, and the production of discourses.
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (03.01.2024)
The concept of the "Other" holds significant importance in understanding various phenomena, such as power
dynamics, relationships of power, the formation of identities, among other. Consequently, the theory exploring the
connections between the "Other" and the self is a rich interdisciplinary area within the humanities and social
sciences. In today's globalized world, where interactions with those who are different from us are a part of everyday
life and can also be a source of conflict, grasping the logic behind these interactions is crucial.
In this course, we will begin by examining the concept of social representations, its functions, and its relationship
with the notion of the "Other," drawing on the works of authors such as Van Leeuwen, Jean-Claude Abric,
Durkheim, and others. Subsequently, we will delve into the ideas of prominent thinkers who have engaged in
significant discussions on this topic, including Lacan, Levinas, Sartre, Foucault, Todorov, and more. By doing so,
students will not only gain a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical concept and its various
interpretations but also learn how to connect it with other academic inquiries, such as issues related to
domination, the legitimization of power, tolerance, intercultural coexistence, the process of self-identification,
exclusion mechanisms, the cognitive functions of mental representations, and the production of discourses.
Syllabus -
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (03.01.2024)
Class 1. Course Presentation.
Class 2. Concept origins in social sciences and humanities.
Class 3. The word as representation: from mentalities to representations
Class 4. Representations from the social psychology perspective.
Class 5. The functions of the social representations.
Class 6. 28 March (Holy Thursday)
Class 7. Discourses, representations, and otherness.
Class 8. Otherness on the social margins.
Class 9. The relationship Master-slave: from Hegel to Lacan.
Class 10. Levinas and the alterity.
Class 11. Todorov and the “other”.
Class 12. The self and the “other”.
Class 13. Conclusions
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (03.01.2024)
Class 1. Course Presentation.
Class 2. Concept origins in social sciences and humanities.
Class 3. The word as representation: from mentalities to representations
Class 4. Representations from the social psychology perspective.
Class 5. The functions of the social representations.
Class 6. 28 March (Holy Thursday)
Class 7. Discourses, representations, and otherness.
Class 8. Otherness on the social margins.
Class 9. The relationship Master-slave: from Hegel to Lacan.
Class 10. Levinas and the alterity.
Class 11. Todorov and the “other”.
Class 12. The self and the “other”.
Class 13. Conclusions
Course completion requirements -
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (03.01.2024)
In consideration of the varying capabilities and skills of our students, the evaluation approach integrates both oral and written assessments. This approach aims to provide each student with multiple avenues for evaluation. Additionally, the combination of oral and written assessments aligns with the practices commonly found among professional scholars, who often engage in teaching, delivering oral presentations, and producing written content such as research papers and book reviews.
20% Attendance and participation
30% 15 minutes presentation and chapter review.
50% Final essay
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (03.01.2024)
In consideration of the varying capabilities and skills of our students, the evaluation approach integrates both oral and written assessments. This approach aims to provide each student with multiple avenues for evaluation. Additionally, the combination of oral and written assessments aligns with the practices commonly found among professional scholars, who often engage in teaching, delivering oral presentations, and producing written content such as research papers and book reviews.
20% Attendance and participation
30% 15 minutes presentation and chapter review.
50% Final essay
Learning resources -
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (03.01.2024)
Abric, J. C., 1994a. “Les représentations sociales: aspects théoriques”. In J. C. Abric (Ed.), Pratiques sociales et representations, Paris: PUF.
Anzaldua, Gloria, 1987, Borderlands La Frontera: The New Mestiza, San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books-
Baudrillard, Jean and Marc Guillaume, 2008. “Radical alterity”, Radical alterity, Semiotext(e), New York-
Berger, Peter, and Thomas Luckmann, 1991, The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge, UK., Penguin books.
Daddesio, Thomas C., 1995, On minds and Symbols, the Relevance of cognitive sciences for semiotics, Berlin, Mouton de Gruyter.
Foucault, Michel, 1991, Discipline and punish: the birth of the prison, London, Penguin books.
Kristeva, Julia, 1991, Strangers to Ourselves, New York, Columbia University Press.
Levinas, Emmanuel, 1986, “The trace of the other”, Mark Taylor (ed.), Deconstruction in progress, Chicago, University of Chicago.
Lloyd, Barbara and Gerard Duveen, 1990, Social Representations and the Development of Knowledge, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press City.
Morris, Rosalind C. and Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty, 2010, Can The Subaltern Speak?: Reflections On The History Of An Idea, New York, Columbia University Press
Moscovici, Serge, 2000, Social Representations: Explorations in Social Psychology, Gerard Duveen (ed), Cambridge, Polity Press.
Perner, J. 1991. Understanding the representational mind. Cambridge, MA, Bradford Books/ MIT-Press.
Sartre, J. P., 2001, “Part three: being-for-others”, Being and Nothingness: An Essay on Phenomenological Ontology, Philosophical Library, Colorado.
Stojanovic, Djordje, 2015, “The Symbolic Construction of the Enemy: The Case of Serbia and Japan”, Japan, CALE, Centre for Asian Legal Exchange Nagoya University.
Todorov, Tzvetan, 2010, Fear of Barbarians: Beyond the Clash of Civilizations, Chicago, the University of Chicago Press.
Van Leeuwen, Theo, 2008, Discourse and Practice: New Tools for Critical Discourse Analysis, Oxford University press, Oxford.
Wachelke, J., 2012, “Social Representations: A Review of Theory and Research from the Structural Approach”. Universitas Psychologica, 11(3), 729-741.
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (03.01.2024)
Abric, J. C., 1994a. “Les représentations sociales: aspects théoriques”. In J. C. Abric (Ed.), Pratiques sociales et representations, Paris: PUF.
Anzaldua, Gloria, 1987, Borderlands La Frontera: The New Mestiza, San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books-
Baudrillard, Jean and Marc Guillaume, 2008. “Radical alterity”, Radical alterity, Semiotext(e), New York-
Berger, Peter, and Thomas Luckmann, 1991, The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge, UK., Penguin books.
Daddesio, Thomas C., 1995, On minds and Symbols, the Relevance of cognitive sciences for semiotics, Berlin, Mouton de Gruyter.
Foucault, Michel, 1991, Discipline and punish: the birth of the prison, London, Penguin books.
Kristeva, Julia, 1991, Strangers to Ourselves, New York, Columbia University Press.
Levinas, Emmanuel, 1986, “The trace of the other”, Mark Taylor (ed.), Deconstruction in progress, Chicago, University of Chicago.
Lloyd, Barbara and Gerard Duveen, 1990, Social Representations and the Development of Knowledge, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press City.
Morris, Rosalind C. and Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty, 2010, Can The Subaltern Speak?: Reflections On The History Of An Idea, New York, Columbia University Press
Moscovici, Serge, 2000, Social Representations: Explorations in Social Psychology, Gerard Duveen (ed), Cambridge, Polity Press.
Perner, J. 1991. Understanding the representational mind. Cambridge, MA, Bradford Books/ MIT-Press.
Sartre, J. P., 2001, “Part three: being-for-others”, Being and Nothingness: An Essay on Phenomenological Ontology, Philosophical Library, Colorado.
Stojanovic, Djordje, 2015, “The Symbolic Construction of the Enemy: The Case of Serbia and Japan”, Japan, CALE, Centre for Asian Legal Exchange Nagoya University.
Todorov, Tzvetan, 2010, Fear of Barbarians: Beyond the Clash of Civilizations, Chicago, the University of Chicago Press.
Van Leeuwen, Theo, 2008, Discourse and Practice: New Tools for Critical Discourse Analysis, Oxford University press, Oxford.
Wachelke, J., 2012, “Social Representations: A Review of Theory and Research from the Structural Approach”. Universitas Psychologica, 11(3), 729-741.
