Deconstruction: An American Institution

Deconstruction is a literary and philosophical movement that has been misunderstood, mischaracterized, and left for dead, but its principles and influence have transformed literary studies and other fields in the humanities. Gregory Jones-Katz aims to transform the broader understanding of the movement, showing how feminism, queer theory, and gender studies were crucial to its lifeblood. Deconstruction in the United States was an American phenomenon, rooted in preexisting political and intellectual tensions, and eventually influenced unexpected corners of scholarship, politics, and culture.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 352 pages
\n Publication date: 06 September 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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Deconstruction, as a literary and philosophical movement, has a rich and complex history that has been widely studied by scholars. In his book, Gregory Jones-Katz seeks to redefine the broader understanding of a movement that has often been misunderstood, mischaracterized, and disregarded, despite its profound impact on literary studies and numerous other fields in the humanities.

Deconstruction originated long before Jacques Derrida's renowned lecture at Johns Hopkins University in 1966, marking the beginning of a transformative intellectual journey. It continued to evolve and grow over several decades, marked by theoretical development and periods of turmoil. While much of the subsequent narrative revolves around Yale University and the individuals and curriculum associated with the Yale school umbrella, Deconstruction highlights the crucial role played by feminism, queer theory, and gender studies in the lifeblood of this mode of thought.

Through his comprehensive analysis, Jones-Katz demonstrates that deconstruction in the United States was not merely a foreign import but rather a deeply rooted American phenomenon, intricately intertwined with the existing political and intellectual tensions of the time. It gradually spread its influence to unexpected corners of scholarship, politics, and culture.

In this intellectual history, Jones-Katz offers a fresh perspective on deconstruction, challenging prevailing misconceptions and illuminating its profound implications for understanding literature, philosophy, and society as a whole. His book is a valuable contribution to the field, providing a comprehensive and insightful exploration of a movement that continues to shape our understanding of the world.

\n Weight: 698g\n
Dimension: 158 x 235 x 28 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226535869\n \n