File spoon-archives/marxism-international.archive/marxism-international_1997/marxism-international.9706, message 508


Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 16:10:38 +1000
From: Rob Schaap <rws-AT-comserver.canberra.edu.au>
Subject: Re: M-I: Request for help


G'day Gary!

>Was talking to my old mate Bob Leech about you on Saturday!

Bob's an impressive customer, I reckon.  Give him my best when you seem him
next, eh?

>Now your request.  Bertell Ollman (?) has an article on teaching marxism
>that I could probably dig up and fax to you if you send me a fax number.

I'd love it!  Ta.  Please mark it for my attention on 06201 5119.

>But from memory he recommends beginning where the students are.  In your
>case this would mean of course their postion in the scheme of things
>Australian.  I when doing my annual talk on Marxist approaches to media
>texts always emphasise that Marxism is intrinsically political and so
>anything I have to say should challenge them and if they think at some
>stage I am being baised that might mean that I am disturbing some
>preconception.

Good one.  I usually say something like this in the first lecture of each
course I give - it's more important still in this one-off effort, so thanks
for the reminder.

>As for Freud we do a lecture on Freudian analysis.  I have a deep respect
>for Freud because he was and is such a scandal to bourgeois thought.
>Moreover my students still get disturbed by Freudian ideas.  The Oedipus
>Complex is central for understanding Hollywood cinema.  The kitchen scene
>from Rebel without a Cause is especially worth showing.  Again if you wish
>I will video the sequence and post it down to you.

I'm a film philistine (I can hear whatever standing I had in your eyes
dissolving).  But please make the effort only if you think I'm gonna
understand it and if it'll fit usefully into the single hour I have. I did
see the 4-hour Hamlet the other day - and spent the balance of an ethanolic
evening raving about it to anyone who'd listen.

>My students though were primarily female and wanted to know about the
>position of girls in the family.  Alas like Freud I am no expert here.

Not an issue.  The class is too big, and time too short, for anything
approaching a seminar.  And I'm not a tutor in the course, anyway.  What I
say is all they'll get out of it all.  Sad, really.

Thanks again mate.
Rob.




     --- from list marxism-international-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---

   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005