From VANEVERJ@novell2.bham.ac.uk Wed Nov 1 02:39:36 1995 1 Nov 95 09:33:03 To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu From: Jo VanEvery Organization: The University of Birmingham Date: 1 Nov 1995 11:07:47 Subject: timetable for Hennessy disc. Reply-to: J.Van-Every@bham.ac.uk I think Vera's concerns are valid but perhaps summer is too long to put it off. Perhaps the original timetable (of one month per chapter) was a bit optimistic but then if this was happening in someone's house or seminar room would we put it in our timetables to go once a month and do the reading? Maybe a slower timetable is the answer but not too slow. Some of us (myself included) may have to accept that we can't participate as fully as we might like but that is no reason for the discussion not to go ahead. Dr. Jo VanEvery Dept. of Cultural Studies University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom 0121-414-3730 J.Van-Every@bham.ac.uk From jnewman@benfranklin.hnet.uci.edu Wed Nov 1 07:52:18 1995 Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 06:52:12 -0800 (PST) From: "Jane O. Newman" To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu Subject: Re: Hennessy's article I too am less concerned than interested in the number of folks who say that their lives have gotten too full to engage in the discussion. It's not that we all are not thinking, perhaps even about hennessey, but that our thinking is and appears to have to be site specific. Perhaps if we were to reconfigure the questions about the article/book in order to be able to apply them (with confidentiality, of course) to our own locations and specific issues, the discussion could get going. I think (and talk) a great deal about the intersection of discourse anfd material conditions these days particualrly with respect to my own and other folks' publishing demands, for example, as well as teaching needs. Perhaps we could go ahead with the discussion in such an "applied" way? Please advise. Jane On Wed, 1 Nov 1995, Helena wrote: > > > Dear Jane and vera and everyone - I am really disappointed - when we tried > to get this going it snowballed into millions of people concerned with the > timing - and where have they gone - what scares me is if we do postpone the > debate/discussion will we have to go through the same trauma re the > timetable - I suggest to keep it simple we keep the same timetable ie the > same people provided they still can but just delay it for a few months - > when you say summer is that June/July? (we are in AUstralia) could we > please do it a bit earlier than that? But most importantly let's not let > the organisation take over... > > sincerely helena xxx > >On Mon, 30 Oct 1995, Vera Chouinard wrote: > > > >> now. I also wonder, if the interest is still there, if it would make > >> sense to resurrect the 'reading group' this summer when there is more > >> time and flexibility for all concerned. If I don't hear from anyone I'll > > I would agree with this. I was looking forward to this discussion. But > >this is my heaviest teaching term, and I spend my evenings "voice-typing"! > > I haven't been able to read Hennessy's book, or the edited one, or > >the other edited one! (Toril Moi.)Nor will I be able to for some weeks yet. > >I suspect a lot of people are simply overworked, and really can't > >take part in an informed way. > > > >--------------------------------------------------------------- > >Judy Evans + Politics + jae2@york.ac.uk > > using voice-recognition software: please > > ignore editing errors > >--------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > > Helena Grehan > Theatre and Drama Studies > Murdoch University > Perth > Western Australia > From chouinar@mcmail.CIS.McMaster.CA Wed Nov 1 13:48:39 1995 Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 15:48:22 -0500 (EST) From: Vera Chouinard Subject: Re: Hennessy's article To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu In-Reply-To: Greetings again! Many thanks to those who have so far responded re: our efforts to discuss Hennessy's work in cyberspace. I think, as several others have pointed out, that this is a really valuable initiative and one worth pursuing. I also agree that it would be a pity to get bogged down (again) in organizational issues although we should keep in mind that these were resolved quite quickly last time. I have to be blunt though and say that I too am sufficiently busy that I can't afford to invest time and effort in a discussion that remains extremely limited and, quite frankly, recently has felt a little like talking to oneself! No one's to blame, obviously, and we have to be sensitive to the heavy demands we are all trying to juggle but I guess the bottom line, for me at least, is that if a discussion is going to work, those who agree to participate have to actually participate. And while I agree that discussion shouldn't be postponed forever because someone will always not be able to participate within the timetable agreed to, I also think that we will all benefit from deciding on a timetable that includes as many of those who are interested as possible. With all this in mind, I have the following suggestions: 1) Those of you who are interested and prepared to commit to the discussion group contact me by e-mail and indicate when you would have time to participate. I'm then willing to report back to the group re: what schedule would seem to be as inclusive as possible. 2) We revise and/or finalize the proposed schedule--including those who are willing to act as discussion facilitators (and again I'm willing to do so for ch. 1 of Hennessy's book). AND everyone sticks to the schedule and delivers on what they've volunteered to do. 3) In the meantime, those who wish to initiate discussion now might want to consider Jane's suggestion of applied discussions that would touch on Hennessy-type themes but not necessarily require detailed reading at this time. I know this has been frustrating for all concerned and that it's hard to be patient with organizing details when it's exciting ideas we want to discuss and share, but the discussion group won't fly unless those details are worked out as best we can. So, those of you who want to see this initiative continue can you please let me know a) that you want to participate and b) when you could realistically participate and c) if you'd like to volunteer to facilitate discussion of chapters in Hennessy's book. I'll report back with a proposed schedule and list of volunteers and we can take things from there. Hope to hear from you! Vera From jnewman@benfranklin.hnet.uci.edu Wed Nov 1 15:11:51 1995 Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 14:11:35 -0800 (PST) From: "Jane O. Newman" To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu Subject: Re: Hennessy's article In-Reply-To: Yes, Vera, count me in, specifically on the applied level. Jane On Wed, 1 Nov 1995, Vera Chouinard wrote: > Greetings again! Many thanks to those who have so far responded re: our > efforts to discuss Hennessy's work in cyberspace. I think, as several > others have pointed out, that this is a really valuable initiative and > one worth pursuing. I also agree that it would be a pity to get bogged > down (again) in organizational issues although we should keep in mind > that these were resolved quite quickly last time. I have to be blunt > though and say that I too am sufficiently busy that I can't afford to > invest time and effort in a discussion that remains extremely limited > and, quite frankly, recently has felt a little like talking to oneself! > No one's to blame, obviously, and we have to be sensitive to the heavy > demands we are all trying to juggle but I guess the bottom line, for me > at least, is that if a discussion is going to work, those who agree to > participate have to actually participate. And while I agree that > discussion shouldn't be postponed forever because someone will always not > be able to participate within the timetable agreed to, I also think that > we will all benefit from deciding on a timetable that includes as many of > those who are interested as possible. With all this in mind, I have the > following suggestions: > > 1) Those of you who are interested and prepared to commit to the > discussion group contact me by e-mail and indicate when you would have > time to participate. I'm then willing to report back to the group re: > what schedule would seem to be as inclusive as possible. > > 2) We revise and/or finalize the proposed schedule--including those who > are willing to act as discussion facilitators (and again I'm willing to > do so for ch. 1 of Hennessy's book). AND everyone sticks to the schedule > and delivers on what they've volunteered to do. > > 3) In the meantime, those who wish to initiate discussion now might want > to consider Jane's suggestion of applied discussions that would touch on > Hennessy-type themes but not necessarily require detailed reading at this > time. > > I know this has been frustrating for all concerned and that it's hard to > be patient with organizing details when it's exciting ideas we want to > discuss and share, but the discussion group won't fly unless those > details are worked out as best we can. So, those of you who want to see > this initiative continue can you please let me know a) that you want to > participate and b) when you could realistically participate and c) if > you'd like to volunteer to facilitate discussion of chapters in > Hennessy's book. I'll report back with a proposed schedule and list of > volunteers and we can take things from there. Hope to hear from you! Vera > From Leanne.Blackley@anu.edu.au Wed Nov 1 15:33:59 1995 Date: Fri, 3 Nov 1995 08:28:02 +0900 To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu From: Leanne.Blackley@anu.edu.au (Leanne L Blackley) Subject: Re: Hennessy's article I think the discussion of the theoretical articles in an applied way is a great way to go. I know it would certainly help me with my research on gender relations in the Australian labour movement. I have only read the article so far but will try and get hold of the book ASAP. Perhaps if we continue at a slower pace this would be better? Leanne Blackley From Leanne.Blackley@anu.edu.au Wed Nov 1 15:39:20 1995 Date: Fri, 3 Nov 1995 08:33:24 +0900 To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu From: Leanne.Blackley@anu.edu.au (Leanne L Blackley) Subject: Re: Hennessy's article Vera, I would be happy to participate, but not facilitate. But I think f we can try and apply the readings to our work this would be great. Anytime is suitable, but a realistic time for each chapter is advisable (I don't think a month is that bad). Leanne Blackley From h_grehan@central.murdoch.edu.au Wed Nov 1 21:34:55 1995 Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 12:32:01 +0800 To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu From: h_grehan@central.murdoch.edu.au (Helena ) Subject: reading Dear Vera, Hello again. In relation to the recent developments - I would like to volounteer myself and Debbie to do chapter 4 - as we were already scheduled to do this - and will commit to participating in discussion of other chapters. I personally feel that perhaps one of the reasons it didn't work that well in the past is that the person who read the chapter did such a thorough analysis participants may have felt that there wasn't much left to say? (this is just a personal observation). Debbie and I have decided to start a critical reading of the book here in Perth and with regard to Janes suggestion of applied reading we will be happy to present questions/problems/issues to the group each month as we go through the chapters - hope this sounds ok - let me know what you think. helena xxx Helena Grehan Theatre and Drama Studies Murdoch University Perth Western Australia From chouinar@mcmail.CIS.McMaster.CA Thu Nov 2 14:51:56 1995 Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 16:51:34 -0500 (EST) From: Vera Chouinard Subject: Re: reading To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu Hi Helena and all! Thanks for your willingness to contribute. I think that sharing ideas and issues arising from your Perth group's discussion would be very valuable and will help to keep discussion going. I'd also be happy to share ideas re: applying Hennessy's ideas in my own research on disabled women's struggles in Canada. I think you may have a point re: Anna's summary of the article and would suggest that facilitators try to concentrate on commenting on the significance of the arguments (theoretical, applied etc.) and issues/questions arising from same--that will leave room for plenty of other perspectives! I have just one organizational question: would you like to stick to the original timetable or do you think it would be helpful to draft a new, somewhat slower one? Thanks a lot for your enthusiasm and support, Vera On Thu, 2 Nov 1995, Helena wrote: > Dear Vera, > > Hello again. In relation to the recent developments - I would like to > volounteer myself and Debbie to do chapter 4 - as we were already scheduled > to do this - and will commit to participating in discussion of other chapters. > > I personally feel that perhaps one of the reasons it didn't work that well > in the past is that the person who read the chapter did such a thorough > analysis participants may have felt that there wasn't much left to say? > (this is just a personal observation). > > Debbie and I have decided to start a critical reading of the book here in > Perth and with regard to Janes suggestion of applied reading we will be > happy to present questions/problems/issues to the group each month as we go > through the chapters - hope this sounds ok - let me know what you think. > > helena xxx > Helena Grehan > Theatre and Drama Studies > Murdoch University > Perth > Western Australia > > From h_grehan@central.murdoch.edu.au Thu Nov 2 17:58:12 1995 Date: Fri, 3 Nov 1995 08:56:23 +0800 To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu From: h_grehan@central.murdoch.edu.au (Helena ) Subject: reading Dear Vera and everyone thanks for your prompt reply and enthusasim - re the slower timetable - I notice that people have suggested a month per chapter - that sounds good to me - but I am very flexible and feel that if we start with the 1st chapter (maintianing a flexible deadline) and see what it generates that might help ease the pressure? have a fab weekend talk to you soon xxhelena Helena Grehan Theatre and Drama Studies Murdoch University Perth Western Australia From amagatha@mailbox.syr.edu Thu Nov 2 19:52:22 1995 Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 21:51:38 -0500 (EST) From: "Anna M. Agathangelou" To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu Subject: Re: reading In-Reply-To: From BINGHAH@delphi.com Mon Nov 6 20:45:58 1995 id <01HXC8GCYKGW9AP44V@delphi.com> for matfem@csf.colorado.edu; Mon, 06 Nov 1995 22:44:45 -0500 (EST) Date: Mon, 06 Nov 1995 22:44:45 -0500 (EST) From: Herman Bingham Subject: Materialist Feminism Discussion To: matfem@csf.colorado.edu I'll participate in the Hennessey's _Materialist Feminism_ discussion when it begins. I look forward to it. HB