
The Trouble with Theory
The Educational Costs of Postmodernism
Gavin Kitching(Author)
Pennsylvania State University Press
Published on 1. September 2008
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-271-03451-5 (ISBN)
Description
This title is co-published with Allen & Unwin (Australia).In the wake of two decades in which postmodern theory has become very popular in university humanities and social science departments around the world, Gavin Kitching claims that post modernism is causing harm to students intellectually.Postmodern theory has engaged the hearts and heads of the brightest students because of its apparent political and social radicalism. Yet Kitching writes: "At the heart of post modernism is very poor, deeply confused, and misbegotten philosophy. As a result even the very best students who fall under its sway produce radically incoherent ideas about language, meaning, truth, and reality."This is not another conservative attack on postmodern theory. Rather, it is a carefully considered analysis from a dedicated university teacher who is convinced that we have gone terribly astray. He analyzes why typical postmodern theoretical approaches simply aren't effective tools for dealing with the realities of people and their activities, and he describes the philosophical confusion that lies at the heart of the problem.
He also demonstrates the political implications for students, their universities, and society when students learn to use poorly constructed arguments as the basis of their writing."The Trouble with Theory" is essential reading for all students writing a thesis in the humanities and the social sciences and for their teachers.
He also demonstrates the political implications for students, their universities, and society when students learn to use poorly constructed arguments as the basis of their writing."The Trouble with Theory" is essential reading for all students writing a thesis in the humanities and the social sciences and for their teachers.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Pennsylvania
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 191 mm
Width: 127 mm
Weight
26 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-271-03451-5 (9780271034515)
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E-Book
07/2020
1st Edition
Routledge
€32.99
Available for download

E-Book
07/2020
1st Edition
Routledge
€32.99
Available for download

Book
08/2008
1st Edition
Allen & Unwin
€34.10
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Gavin Kitching is Professor of Politics in the School of Social Sciences and International Studies in the University of New South Wales. He is also the author of two other Penn State Press books: Marxism and Science (1994) and Seeking Social Justice Through Globalization (2001).