Program in Experimental Critical Theory

The 2025-2026 Experimental Critical Theory seminar (COM LIT 250) will be offered in Winter 2026. This iteration of ECT will focus on the concept of “structure,” starting briefly with its long history in philosophy, linguistics, and anthropology, and focusing on 1960s work on structure in France—by thinkers such as Lévi-Strauss, Lacan, Deleuze, Foucault, Kristeva, Derrida, and Althusser. We will consider how a diverse and hard to categorize thought of structure became the “structuralism” that was then supplanted by “poststructuralist theory.” Efforts are being made to bring several guest speakers to discuss more contemporary and experimental notions of structure. The exact syllabus and schedule will likely not be available until the start of the new term.

The class will allow for a hybrid modality so that grad students from across the UC system may also enroll. Admission is by PTE.

Please send a few sentences or a short paragraph (no longer than a page) indicating your background and interest by Monday, November 17 at noon to eleanork@ucla.edu

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The 2024-2025 ECT Seminar, “Whither Marxism and Psychoanalysis?”, was led by Professor Nouri Gana in the Spring Quarter of 2025. To view more information, please visit the ECT Website.

The UCLA Program in Experimental Critical Theory is meant to galvanize, coordinate, and expand research and teaching in critical theory across departments and disciplines at UCLA. ECT is generously sponsored by the Dean of Humanities and Dean of Social Sciences and the UCLA departments of Comparative Literature and Political Science.

Founded in 2008 by Kenneth Reinhard, Professor Emeritus of both the Departments of Comparative Literature and English, the Program offers the Graduate Certificate in Experimental Critical Theory, which is open to graduate students enrolled in a Ph.D. or MFA program in any participating department at UCLA.