STUDENTS' RESPONSES TO HABERMAS AND JAMESON

Habermas

I can see why Habermas is not too keen on Derrida and Foucault. Habermas is a champion of reason, which might suggest that he's also a champion of the artist, the individual, for whom reason is "instrumental" (14). For Derrida, language seems to manipulate the author, not the other way around, and no amount of reason can tame language, tie it down, or extract any absolute meaning from it. Similarly, for Foucault, the forces of history, the play of powers, are beyond the control of the individual and of reason. (Steve Rodgers)

Jameson

Jameson asserts that Stravinsky's neo-classical compositions demonstrate a practice of pastiche which combines modernist styles without conforming to a norm. He says that Stravinsky is imitating dead styles. My understanding of neo-classicism is rather different. The neo-classic composition is not in the classic style; rather, it is about classicism. Thus, I view a neo-classic work as part of a diachronic dialogue between styles. The fact that dialogue can occur means that classicism is not a dead style. In any case, tonal music is not a dead thing; it is still performed and has an effect on how musicians understand modern and even postmodern music. Similarly, an understanding of contemporary musical practices can illuminate earlier ones. (Chris Schatz)

What next?

• Homepage for English 60A
  
• Students' responses to other readings from the course
  
• Syllabus for week seven (postmodernism)
  
• Links to internet resources on postmodernism--there's some good stuff here!