Program Information

Anarchism and the Academy

Series:

Subtitle:

Theorists of Revolt or Revolting Theorists?

Program Type:

Unspecified

Featured Speakers/Commentators:

Andrea Schmidt and Blake McGreevy

Contributor:

George King IV Contact Contributor

Date Published:

July 31, 2002, 11:14 a.m.

Summary: A look at the study of anarchist theory in today

Credits: Producer: George King
Uploaded by: George King

Notes: Two general questions will provide the framework for this presentation: "What does it mean to do 'scholarly work' as an anarchist?" and "Can anarchist theory be pursued in the academy?"? These questions will be explored with reference to models of anarchist intellectual activity presented in the "classical" European anarchist canon. Such models will be used to inform a discussion of the contemporary North American model of the academic. Experimenting with postcolonial and critical theory (for example, Gramsci's distinction between traditional and organic intellectuals), the presenters will engage in a critique of both paradigms as they examine the questions: Where does knowledge come from? Where and how is theory produced? How much of the process of theory -- and knowledge -- production does one want to accept as legitimate? By what means can one "take theory seriously" while calling into question the conditions of its production?

This talk was presented at the third Renewing the Anarchist Tradition conference, at the Institute for Social Ecology, August 2001.

For further information on the conference, please visit http://www.homemadejam.org/renew/archive/archive.html

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