21 Jan Anti-Intellectualism in U.S. History
Order Instructions
This week, you are asked to read Parts III and IV of Anti-Intellectualism in American Life, and listen to a recording of a 1968 lecture by Richard Hofstadter at UCLA, in which he discusses his work in relation to understanding crisis, change, and violence in U.S. society at that time.
For the discussion board this week, please compose a post responding to the following:
1. Please comment broadly on Part III of the book. What is your reaction to the historical trajectory that Hofstadter charts, from the age/decline of the “gentleman,” the fate of the reformer, and the rise of the expert? What aspects of his analysis resonate with you? What is missing, and who is excluded, from his analysis?
2. Please comment on Hofstadter’s analysis of the relationship intellectuals/intellectualism and business. Do you think his analysis hold true in the present day?
As always, please cite your sources at the end of your post
Sources:
Read Hofstadter, Parts III and IV; and watch video
