Course 411

Instructors

Donald E. Moss, M.D.

April 8 – May 13, 2026
Wednesdays, 8:40 – 10:00 pm

If you are attending class remotely, please click here

Co-requisites

Candidates must have or have had at least two cases in supervised psychoanalysis to be eligible for upper level courses.

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the work of Wilfred Bion. Bion was an analyzand of Melanie Klein, who starting from her ideas, took a very original pathway, eventually being identified as the founder of a school. This course can only attempt to succinctly present his major contributions. We will divide the scope of his work into three main areas: Early development, Psychoses, and Technique.

Third and fourth year students combined; alternates with 305.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Identify the specific way Bion conceptualized the role of the mother in the development of the infant mind, most specifically understanding the concept of “reverie”.
2. Explain the notion of psychotic and not -psychotic parts of the personality, as well as the concept of “links” and “attacks on linking”
3. Explain the notion of “containing “ and differentiate it from the Winnicottian concept of “holding”.

Evaluation Method

Each student’s participation in class discussion and his or her demonstration of understanding of the course objectives and reading material is assessed in a written evaluation by the instructor(s).