102 Final Essay, Romanow, Fall 04

The practice of placing individuals under “observation” is a natural extension of a justice imbued with disciplinary methods and examination procedures.  Is it surprising that the cellular prison, with its regular chronologies, forced labor, its authorities of surveillance and registration, its experts in normality, who continue and multiply the functions of the judge, should have become the modern instrument of penalty?  Is it surprising that prisons resemble factories, schools, barracks, hospitals, which all resemble prisons?  (Foucault 341-342)

 

              Foucault’s argument in “Panopticism” centers around the concept that “our society is not one of spectacle, but of surveillance . . . it is not that the beautiful totality of the individual is amputated, repressed, altered by our social order, it is rather that the individual is carefully fabricated in it. . .”  (333-334).   For our final (yes! final!) essay, please choose two essays from our classbook and discuss an aspect of Panopticism which is revealed in these papers.  You should not only explain how each author’s subject shows Panopticism, and the ways in which we are disciplined and “fabricated” by surveillance, but you also will want to show how these examples differ between the essays in the classbook you have chosen to write about.

Some questions to consider:

 

• How is Panopticism seen in this area?  Note: Be sure to define and explain the term “Panopticism,” quoting from Foucault as needed.
• How does it work?  Is it effective?  How aware are the participants of their “visibility”?
• Could this be changed?  How would this particular social/political/economic situation function without surveillance as discipline?
• Is the Panoptic model effective for controlling and shaping individuals and society?  Why or why not?
• Are we “fabricated” by the Panopticon of society?  What are the alternatives?

 

Be sure to quote from the essays in the classbook to support and clarify your points.  Your paper should be about 5 pages in length.  As always, all papers must be typed, in 12-font, and double-spaced, with standard margins.  Numbering your pages and stapling your paper assures that pages will not be lost.

 

Rough draft due in Green lab: Tuesday, December 7

Final due: 8:30 AM, Tuesday, December 14

 

PLEASE NOTE:  Final papers are due by 8:30 AM on Tuesday, December 14.  No late papers will be accepted without a documented excuse.  You must contact me prior to the deadline time if you have a serious, documented reason for missing the final class.  Absolutely no emailed papers will be accepted.