Sources, Theories, Literatures
Seminar 2 Key Approaches
Today, we will be discussing the tools –theoretical and practical -- and sources that will power our exploration of perfectibility across the rest of the term. We will look at story-telling, ego-documents, material and visual culture, and culture of 鈥榓udit鈥� (enacted by individuals, institutions and the state) and quantification. Bring your tentative thoughts about what kind of primary source you might wish to explore in your first essay, and what strategies or forms of perfectionism most interest you.
Weekly Reading Questions
- Has 鈥榩erfection鈥� changed over time?
- What categories of analysis are useful for understanding 鈥榩erfection鈥�?
- How does biopower relate to the pursuit of perfection?
- Does medicalisation provide a useful lens on 鈥榟uman perfectibility鈥�?
- Where鈥檚 the evidence for 鈥榯he pursuit of perfection鈥� and what are its limits?
Readings: See Talis