History and Reading : : Tocqueville, Foucault, French Studies / / Dominick Lacapra.

In this study Dominick LaCapra addresses the ongoing concern with the application of theory - namely that of literary studies and linguistics - to contemporary historical research and analysis. History and Reading is an attempt to address the concerns of those scholars who either resist theoretical...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Superior document:Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter UTP eBook-Package Backlist 2000-2015
VerfasserIn:
Place / Publishing House:Toronto : : University of Toronto Press, , [2016]
©2000
Year of Publication:2016
Language:English
Series:Green College Thematic Lecture Series
Online Access:
Physical Description:1 online resource
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Other title:Frontmatter --
Contents --
Introduction --
1. History, Reading, and Critical Theory --
2. Rereading Tocqueville's Old Régime --
3. Rereading Foucault's 'History of Madness' --
4. Reconfiguring French Studies --
Index
Summary:In this study Dominick LaCapra addresses the ongoing concern with the application of theory - namely that of literary studies and linguistics - to contemporary historical research and analysis. History and Reading is an attempt to address the concerns of those scholars who either resist theoretical discussions or disavow the use of interdisciplinary study.LaCapra begins with an extensive discussion of the problem of reading and interpretation as it relates to the understanding of history. The focus then moves to two classic texts that serve as case studies: Alexis de Tocqueville's "Old RTgime and the French Revolution" and Michel Foucault's "Folie et dTraison: Histoire de la folie + l'+ge classique" (partially translated into English as "Madness and Civilization"). In the final chapter, LaCapra deals with the problem of rethinking and reconfiguring French studies, suggesting how this discipline could itself profit from the theoretical innovations for which it has been so important a conduit in the last few decades. LaCapra offers sensitive readings of Tocqueville and Foucault, authors who present vastly different narrative strategies and modes of analysis. Looking at these and other theorists whose work addresses the writing and understanding of history, he considers how their distinctive textual practices have transformed standard modes of interpretation and analysis.A distinguished and widely respected European historian, LaCapra offers a sophisticated consideration of how to combine textual analysis with traditional historical practices, and shows how this practice can be brought to bear on French studies and help to shape its future directions.
Format:Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web.
ISBN:9781442675780
9783110667691
9783110490954
DOI:10.3138/9781442675780
Access:restricted access
Hierarchical level:Monograph
Statement of Responsibility: Dominick Lacapra.