Foundations of Psychoanalysis: Reading Freud's Early Works

Are you curious about the origins of modern psychotherapy and the groundbreaking work of Sigmund Freud? This course provides a structured, accessible reading guide to Freud's essential early texts, enabling you to understand the fundamental theories and clinical approaches that established psychoanalysis as a field. What you'll learn: * Understand the historical context and intellectual journey leading to the development of psychoanalysis. * Master the foundational concepts of psychic trauma, defense, and symptom formation in early Freudian theory. * Analyze the initial clinical techniques and the critical shift from catharsis to the "talking cure." * Practice interpreting core textual passages from Studies on Hysteria and other foundational writings. * Apply basic psychoanalytic concepts to understand the formation and meaning of psychological symptoms. The course begins by defining key terminology and setting the historical stage before diving into detailed textual analysis of Freud's initial clinical observations and theoretical breakthroughs regarding the unconscious mind. This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior experience in psychology or psychoanalysis, as well as students seeking a clear textual introduction to Freud's work. Start your foundational journey into the study of the mind today.