Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 11:54:04 -0600
From: Deborah Kilgore <dkilgore-AT-iastate.edu>
Subject: Re: Bourdieu and US perceptions of Russia/old Soviet Union


<snip>
>My intuition is that it has something to do with our habitus
>determining our perception (and in my imagination now I hear many
>on the list saying, "well duh!").  Does anyone have any thoughts
>about how this process happens, or perhaps someone can point me
>to a specific place where Bourdieu has addressed this directly?
>
>Thanks
>Tom Conry


I dunno about B., although he seems to have a say on everything, but we
were just talking about this in class the other day.  In my estimation,
capitalism is perhaps as profound a structuring logic as they come in the
U.S.  Many of the students in my class are HR (human resources)
professionals, and it is telling that they can not find a way to
operationalize &/or explain learning outcomes (it's a learning theory
class) in any way that is not directly linked to profit.  Then, when asked
to discuss the predominant features of U.S. culture, the students initially
answer: there are none!  we are a big melting pot!  

It seems to me I read an interesting essay on the discourse of capitalism
by Jeff Alexander a while back, which I'll try to dig up.  Also, there was
a speech B. made on French strikes that discussed how capitalism is taken
for granted.  I'm certain that in his political writings in France, there
are other similar discussions.

Debbie



Deborah Kilgore
Assistant Professor
Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
Iowa State University
N 232 Lagomarcino Hall
Ames, IA  50011-3195
office) 515-294-9121 email) dkilgore-AT-iastate.edu
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