Karl is a lecturer in Sociology and Community Development and has also taught in Anthropology and Communications. His research is in social theory; focusing on questions of self-identity and subjectivity, as well as religion, democracy and modernity. He is especially interested in debunking the myth of the individual, and the myth of a rational world.
Recent publications
Refereed journal articles
Smith, K. (2012), From Dividual and Individual Selves to Porous Subjects, Australian Journal of Anthropology, 23, 50–64.
Smith, K. (2011), "Deep Engagement" & Disengaged Reason, Australian Journal of Anthropology, 22, 40–55.
Smith, K. (2009), The Constitution of Modernity: A Critique of Castoriadis, European Journal of Social Theory, 12 (4), 505–521.
Smith, K. (2009), Meaning and Porous Being, Thesis Eleven, 99, 7–26.
Smith, K. (2007), Religion and the Project of Autonomy, Thesis Eleven, 91, 27–47.
Books
Smith, K. (2010), Meaning, Subjectivity, Society: Making Sense of Modernity. International Comparative Social Studies series, Brill: Leiden & Boston.
Refereed book chapters
Smith, K. (2014), Heteronomy. In Suzi Adams (Ed.) Cornelius Castoriadis: Key Concepts. Continuum: London, pp. 13–22.
Smith, K. (2014), Psyche. In Suzi Adams (Ed.) Cornelius Castoriadis: Key Concepts. Continuum: London, pp. 75–88.
Smith, K. (2014), Modernity. In Suzi Adams (Ed.) Cornelius Castoriadis: Key Concepts. Continuum: London, pp.179–190.
View the full list of Karl's publications in the Victoria University Research Repository.
Teaching responsibilities
Karl coordinates and lectures in:
Areas of expertise
- Identity
- Modernity
- Religion
- Secularisation
- Sociology
- Subjectivity
