A Foucault Primer: Discourse, Power, and the Subject

by Alec McHoul, Wendy Grace

Who are we today? That deceptively simple question continued to be asked by the French historian and philosopher, Michel Foucault, who for the last three decades has had a profound influence on English-speaking scholars in the humanities and social sciences.

A Foucault Primer is designed for undergraduates and others who feel the need of some assistance when coming to grips with Foucault's voluminous and complex writings. Instead of dealing with them chronologically, however, this book concentrates on some of their central concepts, primarily Foucault's rethinking of the categories of discourse, power and the subject (or subjection).

Foucault's writings contribute collectively to what he himself calls 'an ontology of the present'. His historical research was always geared towards showing how things could have been (and still could be) otherwise. This is especially the case with respect to the production of human subjects.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Theory, Academic, Social Science, Linguistics

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Conor Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to the (complex) work of Foucault in a reasonable accessible and condensed format. I did find the lack of conclusion slightly odd in that the text just...sort of ends? And obviously the text is showing it’s age in engaging with criticism of Foucault. Overall, would recommend for a gentle introduction.

[Pakantji Oekoer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is the best in retelling about the idea of Foucault's concept. We know that the idea that Foucault offers is not easy, but this book is very well in explaining about power, resistance, and discourse itself.

You may read this one to complete your understanding about Foucault.

[rüveyda · Rating 5 out of 5]

foucault ve discourse context'ini anlamak için giriş kitabı sayılabilir.

[Abraham Smitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting ideas about how man is made into a subject through entire disciplines, differentiation, and beliefs about ones roles/attributes.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect introduction to the complex philosophy of Foucault and to the complex and unique mind of the man...Discourse, power and the subject. I like his quote "The main interest in life and work is to become something else that you were not in the beginning".

[Pakantji Oekoer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is the best in retelling about the idea of Foucault's concept. We know that the idea that Foucault offers is not easy, but this book is very well in explaining about power, resistance, and discourse itself.

You may read this one to complete your understanding about Foucault.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Foucault's concepts of Discourse, including the dynamics of power relations and subject positions. It is by design, a surface level overview, but it seems that this is a useful read before wading into Foucault's own writing which can often be a hard slog.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for the same class as the book on Lenin, neither were very informative.

[Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough read but stick it out if you intend to work in the constructivist field