The subject of exemption: through discourses of normalization and individualization in Denmark

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

273 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This article examines the constructions of the deviant subject in Danish Foucauldian educational research. Following the work of Foucault, we argue that the deviant subject, on the one hand, could be considered as a subject of exemption. In this case, exemption is deduced from Foucault’s understanding of the relation between normality and deviancy. On the other hand, an examination of Danish Foucauldian disability research shows that this conception of ‘the deviant subject’ has changed over time. Hence, the present expectations of ‘the disabled’ are – more or less – influenced by contemporary discourses of general education. Thus, this article argues that Foucauldian disability studies could benefit from taking into account Foucauldian research in the field of general education. Until recently, the two research fields have been mutually isolated.
Original languageEnglish
JournalNordic Journal of Social Research
Volume7
Pages (from-to)6-21
Number of pages16
ISSN1892-2783
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Keywords

  • Faculty of Humanities

Cite this