FIST264

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FIST264

Reading Contexts, Interpretation, Transmission and Appropriation: The Story of a Travelling Text FIST264 FA

Crosslistings: CHUM264

Not Currently Offered

This theory-oriented course focuses on the multiple questions that can be brought to bear on the process of reading and interpretation: How do historical and cultural forces interact in the formation of reading contexts? What is the relationship between text, context and interpretation? How do discourse and power intersect in the controversial history of the canonization of a text? What role is played by a classic in the formation of a nation's cultural myths and sense of identity? These are some of the questions that will be considered as we observe the case of a particular text in the Latin American canon: Domingo F. Sarmiento's 1845 FACUNDO and the history of the ways in which it has been read.

MAJOR READINGS

Sarmiento, FACUNDO (LIFE IN THE ARGENTINE
REPUBLIC IN THE DAYS OF THE TYRANTS). Selections from
various "readings" of this text as they appeared in
newspapers of the time, reviews and books. Representative
selections from the writings of Edward Said, John Brenkman,
Peter Hohendahl, Robert Weimann, Hans-Robert Jauss, Fredric
Jameson, Peter Rabinowitz, Richard Ohmann, Jurgen Habermas,
Walter Benjamin, Hayden White, and Michel Foucault.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two papers, oral presentations, one take-home exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

in English Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA RLIT

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-22-1999

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