Emily S. Lee "The Epistemology of the Question of Authenticity, in Place of Strategic Essentialism"

For the next session of the Cultural Studies Reading Group (Thurs. Nov. 1), Marquita Smith has suggested that we read Emily S. Lee's article on authenticity from Hypatia Vol. 26, no.2 (Spring 2011). The abstract to this article reads:

The question of authenticity centers in the lives of women of color to invite and restrict their representative roles. For this reason, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and Uma Narayan advocate responding with strategic essentialism. This paper argues against such a strategy and proposes an epistemic understanding of the question of authenticity. The question stems from a kernel of truth—the connection between experience and knowledge. But a coherence theory of knowledge better captures the sociality and the holism of experience and knowledge.

We hope you can join us at the usual time (4:30) in the usual place (CNH 332) to discuss this article. Please contact us if you have any questions about this or future sessions, or if you are wondering how to find a copy of these or other readings. 

Michel Foucault "Nietzsche, Genealogy, History"

"And you might say to yourself: well, how did I get here?" Suspicious of origin myths? Ever wondered about the difference between genealogy and history? Looking to discuss diverse and influential writings on the political dimensions of culture? On Thursday, Oct. 18 at 4:30 pm in CNH 230, the Cultural Studies Reading Group will be meeting to discuss Foucault's essay "Nietzsche, Genealogy, History." New participants are always welcome. Please contact orpanasa@mcmaster.ca if you have any questions or would like to know where to find a copy of this or future readings. Thanks to CSRG member Ben Prus for suggesting this reading selection.