March 22nd: Nietzsche's
Use and Abuse of History

Leading Class Discussion

Let's have our fifth "Leading Class Discussion" participant come up and see what to make of all this. By the way, those of you who have led class have comments on moodle. Go to the third section on our class page, titled "Assignments--offline," and click the "Leading Class Discussion link.

Make sure I don't forget to hand back your "Midterm Mini-Rhetorical Analysis" essays.

Nietzsche's Use and Abuse of History

Well, it's officially Spring, so stay cool out there. Drink lots of fluids.

I have a few things to say about Nietzsche in general, and I also want to mention how he has been "explained" to me over the years. When I first got to UNCC, I was in a Nietzsche reading group. They talked mostly from a philosophical point of view. I like to consider Nietzsche from a cultural studies stand point and, of course, what he has to offer in terms of rhetoric.

Language: A Social Practice

Seeing how it's CCCC and we're not there, let's do a good rhet/comp thing and get into groups. Consider the following questions and be ready to discuss as a larger class.

• What is living according to Nietzsche?
  
• What is it about a people's history that he finds, well, in excess and causes them to be dead culturally?
  
• What might he say about our popular entertainment in the 21st century? Would he prefer Las Vegas or Disney World? New Orleans?
• How would he get along with St. Augustine and Descartes?

Now, what can we say about the selection from Writings from the Late Notebooks?

Modernism and the Avant-Garde

Nietzsche is considered a prophet of the historical avant-garde. His idea of (although not rejecting 100%) throwing off the chains of history is echoed in F. T. Marinetti's work. Not to be confused with Mari and Netti.

Next Week's Reading

Next week (3/29) we jump into postmodernity and Jacques Derrida's Positions. Derrida is considered one of the most imminent philosophers of the last 40 years. He's an easy read, too. Just kidding! He's quite difficult. Good luck!

..