Our discussion of Ricoeur last week helped to clarify some important conceptual problems in dealing with the past and the position of the histrorian, which I hope we can pursue throughout the year. However, at Will’s suggestion, we are moving on to something rather different for the next session. Charles Tilly’s book Big Structures, Large Processes, Huge Comparisons is as audacious as its title suggests. It is an attack on the way we understand the idea of ‘modernization’ and challenges many of the categories that structure our understanding of society. It should generate a lively discussion!
For the next session, on Friday November 2nd, we will be reading the first four chapters (pp. 1-86).
Charles Tilly, Big Structures, Large Processes, Huge Comparisons (New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1984) chapters 1-4
Room 535 of the SSEES (School of Slavonic and East European Studies) building, 16 Taviton Street. Friday November 2nd, 5pm.
There are a few copies available in various libraries, but if you are unable to get hold of one, please send me a message and I will try to sort out some photocopies.
s.pawley”AT”ucl.ac.uk