| Description |
1 online resource (viii, 182 pages). |
| Physical Medium |
polychrome |
| Description |
text file |
| Series |
Wisconsin project on American writers
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Wisconsin project on American writers.
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| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 169-177) and index. |
| Summary |
Thomas McLaughlin argues that critical theory - raising serious, sustained questions about cultural practice and ideology - is practiced not only by an academic elite but also by savvy viewers of sitcoms and tv news, by Elvis fans and Trekkies, by labor organizers and school teachers, by the average person in the street. |
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Like academic theorists, who are trained in a tradition of philosophical and political skepticism that challenges all orthodoxies, the vernacular theorists McLaughlin identifies display a lively and healthy alertness to contradiction and propaganda. They are not passive victims of ideology but active questioners of the belief systems that have power over their lives. Their theoretical work arises from the circumstances they confront on the job, in the family, in popular culture. And their questioning of established institutions, McLaughlin contends, is essential and healthy, for it clarifies the purpose and strategies of institutions and justifies the existence of cultural practices. Street Smarts and Critical Theory leads us through eye-opening explorations of social activism in the Southern Christian anti-pornography movement, fan critiques in the 'zine scene, New Age narratives of healing and transformation, the methodical manipulations of the advertising profession, and vernacular theory in the whole-language movement. Emphasizing that theory is itself a pervasive cultural practice, McLaughlin calls on academic institutions to recognize and develop the theoretical strategies that students bring into the classroom. |
| Contents |
Introduction -- theory outside the academy: street smarts and critical theory -- Cultural theory and social activism in the southern Christian antipornography movement -- Criticism in the zines: vernacular theory and popular culture -- Stories of the new age: narrative, healing, and transformation -- The cunning of the hand, the weakness of the heart: theoretical work in the advertising profession -- The teachers meet the experts: vernacular theory in the whole language movement -- Pedagogy and vernacular theory. |
| Access |
Use copy Restrictions unspecified MiAaHDL |
| Reproduction |
Electronic reproduction. [S.l.] : HathiTrust Digital Library, 2010. MiAaHDL |
| System Details |
Master and use copy. Digital master created according to Benchmark for Faithful Digital Reproductions of Monographs and Serials, Version 1. Digital Library Federation, December 2002. http://purl.oclc.org/DLF/benchrepro0212 MiAaHDL |
| Processing Action |
digitized 2010 HathiTrust Digital Library committed to preserve MiAaHDL |
| Local Note |
eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America |
| Subject |
American literature -- History and criticism -- Theory, etc.
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American literature. |
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Popular literature -- History and criticism -- Theory, etc.
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Popular literature. |
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Criticism -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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Criticism. |
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United States. |
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History. |
| Chronological Term |
20th century |
| Subject |
Literature -- Public opinion.
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Literature -- Public opinion. |
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Literature. |
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Criticism -- United States -- Public opinion.
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Public opinion. |
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Language and culture -- United States.
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Language and culture. |
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Popular culture -- United States.
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Popular culture. |
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Canon (Literature)
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Canon (Literature) |
| Chronological Term |
1900 - 1999 |
| Genre/Form |
Electronic books.
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Criticism, interpretation, etc.
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History.
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| Other Form: |
Print version: McLaughlin, Thomas. Street smarts and critical theory. Madison : University of Wisconsin Press, ©1996 0299151700 (DLC) 96015117 (OCoLC)34618470 |
| ISBN |
058511448X (electronic book) |
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9780585114484 (electronic book) |
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9780299151737 (electronic book) |
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0299151735 (electronic book) |
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0299151700 (cloth ; alkaline paper) |
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0299151743 (paper ; alkaline paper) |
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9780299151706 (cloth ; alkaline paper) |
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9780299151744 (paper ; alkaline paper) |
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