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Explore radicalism in historical and contemporary contexts, delving into what makes individuals radical and the societal perceptions of radicalism. Learn about influential radicals in American and non-American history and the conditions for radical conversion.
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CORE 400 Nature of Radicalism
Administrative • Make sure you check the course requirements on the home page • All written assignments should be in the following format • Double-space • 12 point arial font • Left margin of 1.5 inches • Slides on the course home page
Today • People who were/are radical? • What makes them radical (and others not)? • Again people who were/are radical?
I. People Who Were/Are Radical? • Name some past Americans who were radical • Name some contemporary Americans who are radical • Name some past non-Americans who were radical • Name some contemporary non-Americans who are radical
II. What Makes Them Radical and Others Not? • Dictionary Definition – • 1. of or going to the root or origin, fundamental (a radical difference) • 2. thorough-going or extreme, esp. as regards change from accepted or traditional forms (a radical change) • 3. favoring drastic political, economic or social reforms
II. What Makes Them Radical and Others Not? • Dictionary Definition – • 4. Forming a basis or foundation • 5. Existing inherently in a thing (radical defects of character)
III. Again People Who Were/Are Radical • Consider again the people we said were radical • Have you changed your mind about any of them? • Which ones and why?
Next Time • Areas of Radicalism • Are you radical?
Nature of Radicalism Class 2
Administrative • Any questions about requirements
Today • Areas of Radicalism • Are you radical? • Being labeled radical
I. Areas of Radicalism • In what areas did the dictionary define a desire for drastic reform as radical? • Political system • Economic system • Social relations • Are there other areas where ideas or people might be considered radical?
I. Areas of Radicalism • Psychology? • Philosophy? • Education? • Literary Criticism? • Religion? • Other? • In each case what would radicalism look like? What kinds of ideas might be considered radical?
II. Are you radical? • How many of you consider yourselves to be radical? • In what ways? • Why are you not radical? Are all your views about everything completely conventional?
III. Being Labeled Radical • Is it a term of opprobrium or praise? • Always? • Barry Goldwater?
Next Time • Becoming a World Saver: A Theory of Conversion to a Deviant Perspective
Nature of Radicalism Class 3
Administrative • Any questions
Today • Conditions to Undergo Conversion • Deviant Perspectives and Radicalism • Other Explanations for Radicalism
I. Conditions to Undergo Conversion • What do Lofland and Stark Say Are the Conditions for People to Undergo Conversion? • Feeling of acute tension • Be pre-disposed to religious rather than political or psychological interpretations • This leads to self-definition as a religious seeker
I. Conditions to Undergo Conversion • What do Lofland and Stark Say Are the Conditions for People to Undergo Conversion? • Exposure to relevant perspective at turning point in life • Have a close relationship with one or more converts
I. Conditions to Undergo Conversion • What do Lofland and Stark Say Are the Conditions for People to Undergo Conversion? • Outside attachments absent or neutralized • Must be in context where the perspective can be reinforced • All of these are necessary conditions
II. Deviant Perspectives and Radicalism • Suppose one is predisposed to political or psychological interpretations? • Are all radical perspectives deviant? • What if the conversion is to a mainstream view?
III. Other Explanations for Radicalism • Is it the product of insanity? • Is it the product of unusual insight? • Is it the product of social isolation? Of not fitting in?
Next Time • Begin our discussion of Utopianism with a discussion of Thomas More’s Utopia