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Reflection Week 2

 

I’m interested in Giroux et al’s idea that academia has overly rigid disciplinary structures. I’ve heard this point from a variety of perspectives, including anthropologists, religious scholars, and now cultural studies theorists. In what ways are disciplines naturally formed, vs. maintained by economic and institutional structures of academia? How could we take steps to reshape this in today’s context?

 

Hall often refers to Reagan and Thatcher, and in the “New Times” piece he refers to Thatcherism’s attempts to make Britain “great again.” This phrase really struck me due to its modern American connotation. I’m curious to know about the major connections between our current political context and the 1980s moment that Hall frequently refers to. What’s similar or different between today’s world and the “New Times” Hall writes about? 

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