Pre-Session Task for Monday, December 11.
Topic: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Jasbir Puar’s “The Right to Maim”
Objective:
To enrich our discussion and deepen our understanding of Puar’s arguments in “The Right to Maim,” you are asked to bring an interdisciplinary theory, framework, or concept to class that can either contrast with, complement, or provide a fresh perspective on Puar’s ideas.
Instructions:
- Select a Framework/Theory/Concept:
- Choose a theoretical framework, concept, or perspective from a discipline outside of Puar’s primary field. This could be from sociology, psychology, law, political science, history, gender studies, etc.
- Ensure that your choice is relevant to the themes explored in the first three chapters of “The Right to Maim”; you can get inspired from the podcast episode on “The Right to Maim”with Bassam Sidiki. If you need a refresher, the podcast can be accessed here.
- Prepare a Short Presentation:
- Prepare a brief (2–3 minutes) presentation (no slides needed) or discussion points on how your chosen framework contrasts with, complements, or adds a new dimension to Puar’s arguments. You may also already publish them in the blog here.
- Consider questions like:
- How does this framework challenge or support Puar’s views on state violence, debility, and capacity?
- What new insights or perspectives does it bring to the themes discussed in the book?
- Are there any points of contention or significant alignments between the two?
- Be Ready to Discuss:
- Come prepared to share your findings and insights with the class.
- Engage critically and constructively with your peers’ presentations, exploring how these diverse perspectives enhance our collective understanding of Puar’s work.
In preparation of 11.12.: Listen to the podcast episode on “The Right to Maim”with Bassam Sidiki on https://newbooksnetwork.com/the-right-to-maim and comment on it in the blog.