Laurence A. Rickels Philosopher

Laurence Arthur Rickels (born December 2, 1954) is an American literary and media theorist, whose most significant works have continued the Frankfurt School's efforts to apply psychoanalytic insights to analysis and criticism of modern mass media culture. Some of his best known works include The Case of California, The Vampire Lectures, and the three volume work Nazi Psychoanalysis. After 30 years at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Rickels followed the Ruf ("call" or appointment) as successor to Klaus Theweleit in April 2011 to the Academy of Fine Arts, Karlsruhe, where he is currently professor of Art and Theory. In the summers, Rickels serves as the Sigmund Freud Professor of Media and Philosophy at the European Graduate School in Saas-Fee, Switzerland.