16 June 2005 - Thursday
Thinking historically about literature
The Little Professor is discussing the relationship between students' and teachers' understanding of history and their interpretation of literary texts:
But when we introduce "history" into our courses, how do we go about it? At a conference several years ago, a historian observed that historians like their literature to stay stable, whereas literary critics like their history to stay stable. In other words, it's very easy to slip into the habit of presenting historical background stripped of its own disciplinary signposts--especially when we don't actually know the debates surrounding our history of choice.
| Posted by Wilson at 14:28 Central
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It is ladies like this that make my "fuzzy" classes more difficult.
And interesting. And challenging. And worthwhile. Maybe it is worth it.
The thoughts of Moore on 16 June 2005 - 22:47 Central+ + + + +
I am going to risk looking like a complete idiot, because:
a) when you're ignorant, you have nothing to lose but your dignity, and
b) this quote and the linked blog touch on something I've wondered about....
Do all the "academically cloistered" truly understand what they seem to be talking about? Do we commoners need to learn their peculiar language and definitions to glean meaning without having to read and reread their musings, over and over again?
Is the emperor wearing any clothes?
The thoughts of maman d'Ardith on 17 June 2005 - 14:56 Central+ + + + +
I assure you, Maman Hoyt, that this particular emperor is wearing a very nice suit of clothes.
Like any other professional, the academic uses terms that may be meaningless (or even misleading) to the uninitiate. For some reason, though, we seem to expect academic work in the humanities to be a lot more accessible than, say, academic work in nuclear physics. I see no reason to expect this, except when an academic is actually addressing a wider audience. Most academic bloggers are writing to their own kind.
The thoughts of Wilson on 17 June 2005 - 15:12 Central+ + + + +
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Awesome link.
The thoughts of Blame Jared on 16 June 2005 - 15:21 Central+ + + + +