Thomas Rickert Office:
Heav 303B
English 626
(Spring 2007) Office
Phone: 494-3719
Postmodernism.Rhetoric.Composition Office
Hours: Tue
Email:
<trickert@purdue.edu> English
Office Phone: 494-3740
Postmodernism.Rhetoric.Composition
Required Texts:
Cosmopolis—Stephen Toulmin
Basic Writings
(2nd Ed., Revised and Expanded)—Martin Heidegger
The Foucault Reader—Michel Foucault
The Postmodern Condition-Jean-François Lyotard
Changing the Subject in English Class:
Discourse and the Constructions of Desire—Marshall W. Alcorn
Course
Packet at CopyMat
Recommended:
The Routledge
Companion to Postmodernism—Sims, ed.
The Condition of Postmodernity—
Postmodern Theory—Best and Kellner
Postmodernism, Or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism—Jameson
Postmodern Geography—Soja
Three Steps on the Ladder of
Writing—Cixous
Rhetoric, Poetics, and
Cultures—
Rereading the Sophists—Jarratt
Negation, Subjectivity, and the
History of Rhetoric—Vitanza
Rhetoric in an Anti-foundational
World—Bernard-Donals and Glejzer, eds.
How We Became Posthuman—Hayles
Applied Grammatology—Ulmer
Scandalous Knowledge—Smith
Modest Witness—Haraway
The Internet Galaxy—Castells
Recommended background:
Phenomenology of Mind—Hegel
Course in General Linguistics—de Sassure
Being and Time; Poetry, Langauge, and Throught;
& On the Way to Language—Heidegger
Beyond Good and Evil, Twilight of the Idols, & Genealogy
of Morals—Nietzsche
Dialectic of Enlightenment—Horkheimer
and Adorno
Truth and Method—Gadamer
Ecrits—Lacan
(esp. “Subversion of the Subject”)
The Second Sex—de Beauvoir
Introduction to the
Visions of Excess—Bataille
Speculum of the Other Woman—Irigaray
Philosophy and the Mirror of
Nature—Rorty
The Structure of Scientific
Revolutions—Kuhn
Tractatus Logico Philosophicus—Wittgenstein
Orientalism—Said
Introduction
to Of Grammatology (Derrida)—Spivak
Learning from Las Vegas—Venturi
et al
Structural Anthropology—Levi-Strauss
Objectives:
What
is postmodernism? This is not an easy question to answer. First, we need to
ascertain what we are talking about, or, more precisely, what sort of referent
we have in mind for the term: an architectural movement? the
time period following modernism (which already begs the question of what
modernism is)? various aesthetic techniques common to
contemporary literature and pop culture? late
capitalism? post-Fordist,
flexible labor practices? the media age? the informatization of the Western
world? theory inclusive of but extending beyond poststructuralism? All these and more have been included in
definitions of postmodernism. And, whatever question we pick, we will find that
in focusing on one we tend to distort or obscure other aspects. Additionally,
postmodernism and its definitions, characteristics, and theories are unstable
at best. Ultimately, we have to say that the question concerning postmodernism
is far from settled, and given the ubiquity of the term (if not of
"post"-ing itself), the sense of fait accompli that surrounds it combined
with its nebulous (at best) meaning is grounds for many to dismiss it as
useless, deceptive, or worse. Nevertheless, its common usage and the extensive
body of discourse surrounding give it weight and sticking power. Postmodernism
as a term is here to stay, even if we often mean many, different things when we
use the term. So perhaps we can sum it up this way: postmodernism presents new
aesthetics, from architecture to literature to music to art; transformations in
political economy and business practices; new approaches in science; the
emergence of media and the informatization of
knowledge and life; reconceptualizations of philosophical
notions of epistemology, groundings, and transcendence; reconfigurations of what
language is and how it functions; and, lastly and perhaps obviously, a
rejection or at least a reworking of modernism. It has also been affiliated
with a resurgence of rhetoric. Composition, that dappled discipline, has also
been characterized as being postmodern.
The
course will start with a brief look back at Modernism, and then dip into
Heidegger, a Modernist philosopher (or proto-postmodernist—categorization is a
tricky game) who has been hugely influential on postmodern thought, arguably
even more so than Nietzsche. Next, we will move on to some early postmodern
texts. We will cover many of the key debates and terms (metanarratives!
écriture féminine!
anti-foundationalism! performativity!),
look at some of postmodernism's usual suspects (Lyotard!
Foucault! Derrida! Haraway!
While
I do want us to read a fair share of primary texts, we will also examine how
rhetoric and composition has utilized, resisted, or negotiated postmodern
theory. Reactions to postmodernism in the field have ranged from dismay,
caution, and dire predictions of doom to grudging respect, hope, and Dionysian
dances on the grave of Modernity. Hopefully, you will find a place—or places—to
occupy for yourself, and then, in your writing, find ways to convey something of
this blue buzzing complexity. Additionally, I want to mention that
postmodernism is often concerned with style. Several of the authors we will
read make style an essential element in the "work" of the
text—Derrida, Cixous, Haraway,
Vitanza, and Davis come to mind—but insofar as postmodernism has affinities
with rhetoric, style in general is an issue. In your papers, it may be
profitable for you to examine the role of style, if not experiment with style
in your writing.
Many
of the texts we read will be difficult. People like Heidegger, Derrida, and
Assignments:
In-Class Papers: Four one-page papers (legal
size, single-spaced), to be read aloud in class on the due date. Because our
classis so large, we are going to have a rotating reading schedule; Group petit
a can read on paper day one; group petit b can read on paper day two; and so
forth. Please do make copies for everyone, to be distributed at the start of
class. The first half to three-quarters of the paper will be a summary of the
previous weeks' readings; the remaining will be an amalgam of a) a discussion
of these readings, highlighting a central issue or concern, which should also include
b) a consideration of how the readings have changed, challenged, or further
developed our conceptions of writing, rhetoric, pedagogy, and/or education. In
other words, it is not enough simply to develop a working understanding of the
various postmodern theories we read; instead, you need to develop connections
to a larger contextual understanding of the theories and issues involved. This
further means that I am interested in more than matters of simple agreement or
disagreement with the texts. As Derrida remarks, if things were simple, word
would have gotten round.
These
papers will take time to write. That is one reason that there is so little
reading the week of paper day. Furthermore, this kind of summary is
challenging—and rewarding. It allows you to develop your understanding of often
difficult texts as the course progresses, and encourages you to build on,
extend, or otherwise revise previous understandings. All of you will come to
the texts with various levels of familiarity—from little or none to fairly
extensive. I consider this something positive, for it provides many, differing
entryways into the readings. Regardless of one's familiarity or lack of it with
the material, I do expect the papers to show real effort in grappling with the
texts and the issues. That is one of the reasons for all of us to hear the papers and to share them with each other. I think of the
paper presentations as being the most important days of the course because that
is where the most learning occurs.
Journal Review: A
second assignment will be a lit review in a 10-12 minute class presentation
(hopefully with handout) of one of the many theory-oriented journals (print and
online) that exist; you will be concerned specifically with how postmodernism
is dealt with in the journal. Some journals have a specific orientation, some
are more broadly conceived; some are specifically about postmodernism or pomo culture, others only include
essays that deal with postmodernism as one issue among many. I have tended to
favor journals associated with rhetoric and composition, but not exclusively
so.
I don't expect you to
read deeply from the articles. Examining titles, reference matter, and topics,
and skimming to obtain a general overview, with a few specifics, will suffice.
Listing key, interesting, or oft-cited articles will be useful as well, and you
will probably want to look at such articles more closely. You will also need to
look at the editors, the editorial board, statements of journal purpose, school
affiliations, oft-published scholars, etc. The goal here is to facilitate
knowledge of what is out there for yourself and your fellow graduate students.
Because of the size
of the class, I it may be useful to have some (or all) of you work on this
assignment in pairs.
Final Paper: This course requires a final
summation paper; it asks you to present your understanding of what
postmodernism is, conflicted and partial as that answer may be. You could
highlight key themes, focus on contested issues, assess continuing problems,
and/or chart the impact of postmodernism on rhetoric and composition. There are
also your own research interests to consider; how might they be brought in? Please
limit yourself to 5-6 pages. This means you will need to be fairly selective in
what you chose to examine. Note: keep in mind that the Preliminary Exam
includes a question on postmodernism. You might consider the final paper as
part of your preparations for it. This paper, unlike the in-class papers,
should be typed and double-spaced.
Weekly
Posts: Lastly, this course requires weekly posts to the course bulletin
board; look for the course title, English 626, in the main index, located here:
http://www.unconcealment.org/trickertbb
You will need to make
"one" post a week. There are a variety of ways you can fulfill this
commitment. First, your post should address the reading(s) for the coming
class, taking a concept, issue, conflict, theme, etc. and exploring it. Length
should be a minimum of one developed paragraph. Although I would prefer you to
remain focused on that week's readings, it may be useful to address texts from
previous weeks. A second possibility is a response to someone else's post. It
is preferable that you address a post concurrent with that week's readings, but
again it may be useful to return to older posts and re-visit an issue. Only one
post a week is required, but further postings beyond the minimum are of course
quite welcome—especially responses to others. I add that the goal of this
assignment is to foster sustained intellectual inquiry and exchange, and I will
expect you to treat others with respect, regardless of the possible level of
disagreement. Please visit the site several times a week so that you stay
current with the discussions. Also, make sure your name is on your posts.
*The bulletin board is phpBB, is a web-based forum that allows a user to post,
edit, and reply to messages. It also lets someone use HTML and images. The
forum can be accessed via a web browser (Firefox, Netscape,
Internet Explorer, etc.) at the site I give above. Before someone can post,
s/he will initially have to register as a "User" and log-in each time
thereafter. Please use an ID name suitable enough for me to identify you as the
poster.
Late Work: Papers to be read aloud will
not be excused. If you miss the due date, you will be docked a letter grade
(unless I excuse your absence beforehand) and required to read your work the
following week.
Assessment:
Your
grade will be determined on a 100 point scale. The percentages break down like
this (the remaining .004 % is on me):
Papers
(4) 16.666% each
Final
paper 16.666%
Weekly
Posts/Presentation 16.666%
All
assignments are required to complete the course. This includes a total of 15
posts to the course website.
Attendance:
Although
I will give brief lectures regularly, this class is not a lecture course;
accordingly, your attendance and participation is crucial not only for you personally,
but for everyone in the class. I will expect you not to miss class. However, if
a problem does arise that requires your absence,
please discuss the matter with me beforehand to see if arrangements can be
made.
Disability:
If
you have a disability that requires special accommodations, please see me
privately within the first week of class.
Planned
Week 1 (1/11): Introductions
and Modernism Redux
Kant-"An Answer to the
Question: What is Enlightenment?"
Nietzsche-"On Truth and
Lies in an Extramoral Sense"
Harvey-"Modernity and
Modernism"
Optional: Gray-"Enlightenment’s Wake"
Week 2 (1/18): Oh, the
Humanity
Toulmin-Cosmopolis
Week 3 (1/25): On the Way to
Martin
"Letter on Humanism"
"Building, Dwelling,
Thinking"
"The Way to Language"
"The Question Concerning
Technology"
- from Basic Writings:
Martin Heidegger
C.Taylor-"Heidegger,
Language, and Ecology"
Optional: Heidegger-"What Calls
for Thinking?" (esp. 369-83)
Week 4 (2/1): Paper #1
Deleuze and Guattari-"Rhizome"
Week 5 (2/8): PoMo's Greatest Hits—The
Poststructuralist Years
Derrida-"Signature Event Context"
Cixous-"Laugh of the
Medusa"
Barthes-"Death of the Author"
Haraway-"Situated Knowledges"
Rorty-"The Contingency of
Language"
Foucault-"What is an
Author?" (from The Foucault Reader)
Optional: Baudrillard-"After the Orgy"
Derridean wedding vows
"The Copycat Syndrome"—from Slate
Week 6 (2/15): Power, Power
Everywhere…
"What is Enlightenment?"
"The Body of the Condemned"
"Docile Bodies"
"The Means of Correct Training"
"Panopticism"
"Complete and Austere Institutions"
"Space, Knowledge, and Power"
"Right of Death and Power over Life"
"We 'Other Victorians'"
"Politics and Ethics: An Interview"
- from The Foucault Reader
Muckelbauer-"Through
Foucault’s Resistance"
Blair and Cooper-"The Humanist Turn in Foucault's
Rhetoric of Inquiry"
Optional:
Foucault-"Truth and Power"
YouTube—debate
between Foucault and Chomsky
Week 7 (2/22): PoMo's Self-Realization
Lyotard- The Postmodern Condition (Intro, Chs.
1-2; 9-12; 14; Appendix—Jameson's forward highly recommended)
Jameson-Postmodernism (excerpts from Introduction and Ch.1)
Ijessling-"Who Is Actually Speaking Whenever
Something Is Said?"
Vitanza-"Three Countertheses"
Faigley-"The Ethical
Subject" (from Fragments of
Rationality)
Week 8 (3/1): Paper #2
Roundtable-"Octalog: The Politics of Historiography"
Week 9 (3/8): The Rhet of Comp
Worsham-"The Question
Concerning Invention"
Biesecker-"Rethinking the
Rhetorical Situation from Within the Thematic of Différance"
Hawhee-"Kairotic Encounters"
Ballif-"What Is It That the
Audience Wants?"
Vivian-"The Threshold of
the Self"
Week 10 (3/15): Spring Break!
The Comp of Rhet
Faigley-"Introduction" +
"In the Turbulence of Theory" (from Fragments of Rationality)
Sirc-"Never Mind the Tagmemics, Here's the Sex Pistols"
Ulmer-Heuretics (excerpts-Pt. 1))
Halden-Sullivan-"The
Phenomenology of Process"
Porter and
Sullivan-"Postmodern Mapping and Methodological Interfaces"
Brooke-"Forgetting to be
(Post)Human: Media and Memory in a Kairotic
Age"
Week 11 (3/22): The Power of
Control, the Control of Power, and (Gendered) You
Althusser-"Ideology and Ideological State
Apparatuses"
Butler-Bodies That Matter
(excerpts)
Rose-"Control" (from Powers
of Freedom)
Hardt and Negri-"Postmodernism"
(from Empire)
Optional: Deleuze-"Postscript
on Control Societies"
Week 12 (3/29): The Shrink
Alcorn-Changing the Subject in English Class
Week 13 (4/5): Paper #3
Collins-Interaction Ritual Chains (excerpts-Ch.2)
Week 14 (4/12): Empires and
Dance
M.Taylor-"Critical
Emergency" (from The Moment of Complexity)
Lanham-"Operating
Systems, Attention Structures, and the Edge of Chaos"
Liu-The Laws of Cool (excerpts-Chs. 5-7)
Cilliers-"Complexity and
Postmodernism"
Week 15 (4/19): Space is the
Place
Casey-"The Hidden
History of Place"
Heidegger-Ontology: The Hermeneutics of Facticity (excerpts-Ch.3)
Amin and Thrift-Cities (excerpts-Intro and Ch.2)
Edbauer-"From Rhetorical
Situation to Rhetorical Ecologies"
Reynolds-"Learning to
Dwell"
Rickert-"In the House of Doing:
Rhetoric and the Kairos of Ambience"
Week 16 (4/26): Paper #4
Hassan-"From
Postmodernism to Postmodernity: The Local/Global
Context"