Seminar in Historical Analysis (405-0-32)

Topic

Orientalism and its Discontents

Instructors

Rajeev Kumar Kinra
847/467-1241
Harris Hall - Room 307

Meeting Info

Harris Hall room 101: Tues 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Topic: Orientalism and Its Discontents

Edward Said's "Orientalism" (1978) has been one of the most influential -- and controversial -- works of scholarship of the last half century. As a pioneering work of postcolonial theory, it has reshaped entire disciplines, from history and area studies to comparative literature, anthropology, and even the study of English literature(s). But Said has also had his critics, some very astute and others not so much. In this course, we will begin by closely reading Said's own works to try to understand them in all their nuance and complexity, and then examine some of the arguments of his critics of various disciplinary backgrounds.

Evaluation Method

Papers

Class Materials (Required)

Edward Said, Orientalism (1978)
Edward Said, Culture and Imperialism (1993)

Miscellaneous works on Canvas

Class Attributes

Graduate Students Only