tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post9211030276287294518..comments2023-10-31T07:32:11.739-04:00Comments on Wormtalk and Slugspeak: Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566889846240013567noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-1060501576540320282009-03-28T12:47:00.000-04:002009-03-28T12:47:00.000-04:00go, you!go, you!Another Damned Medievalisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05231085915472400163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-59922721858032629152009-03-09T13:15:00.000-04:002009-03-09T13:15:00.000-04:00"the absolutely brain-dead idea that what's done i..."the absolutely brain-dead idea that what's done in psychology or sociology or urban studies or political science is more important than medieval studies . It's not even as important as medieval studies, but we'll keep that amongst ourselves."<BR/><BR/>I'm going to have to agree with you in general, while disagreeing with you in the particular.<BR/><BR/>To say that asserting what is done in Political Science is <I>more important</I> than what is done in medieval studies is indeed brain dead. But to state that medieval studies is more important that Political Science, I believe to be equally invalid.<BR/><BR/>Political Science, properly understood, is equal in value to medieval studies. The study of politics did not begin with Machiavelli and his "rational" analysis of practical political actions. Nor did the study of politics begin with Hegel, Weber, Marx, Woodrow Wilson, Anthony Downs, or (God forbid) Robert Putnam. <BR/><BR/>Robust study of politics should also include Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Aquinas, Spinoza, St. Augustine, Maimonides, Marsilius of Padua, William of Ockham, and numerous others.<BR/><BR/>The problem with "contemporary" Political Science is that it often has the same narrow view of what should be studied and what approaches should be used. The field needs allies from those in medieval studies, not detractors.<BR/><BR/>Certainly, from a certain perspective -- that of depth within a time period -- Political Science could be viewed as a subset of Medieval Studies. In fact, it is. But from another perspective, where the time period looked at is "history," medieval studies becomes a subset of Political Science.<BR/><BR/>As I wrote, I agree earnestly in the general, but must dissent in the particular.Christian Lindkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05078403387362505754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-25716595819761085952009-03-09T10:46:00.000-04:002009-03-09T10:46:00.000-04:00Three cheers and all the best of luck to you! I t...Three cheers and all the best of luck to you! I think I'd pay money to sit in on that debate. Let us know how it goes.Aethelflaedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15511884130081481917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-86642270014981155982009-03-09T10:17:00.000-04:002009-03-09T10:17:00.000-04:00Dr. Drout I applaud your dedication to our field.I...Dr. Drout I applaud your dedication to our field.<BR/><BR/>I study the transitionary period between the medieval and early modern worlds as a PhD student, and I fear the trend in scholarship towards largely theoretical and modernist studies in English departments across the US. As modern students become increasingly disconnected from their past, I see them struggle mightily to make sense of their present.<BR/><BR/>I wish you the best, and want you to know there is at least one scholar only now entering the field willing to fight the same fight.jsleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02475238924091489573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-3583408451594202802009-03-07T01:22:00.000-05:002009-03-07T01:22:00.000-05:00YEAH!!! YAY!!! Give 'em hell, Drout!!! Seriousl...YEAH!!! YAY!!! Give 'em hell, Drout!!! Seriously!theswainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05919025515524894537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-61677563989523371902009-03-06T12:33:00.000-05:002009-03-06T12:33:00.000-05:00Solidarity, brother.Solidarity, brother.Prof. de Breezehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15058193046200756821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571309.post-6497944512954584762009-03-06T10:55:00.000-05:002009-03-06T10:55:00.000-05:00It's refreshing to see someone prepared to fight t...It's refreshing to see someone prepared to fight the good fight over this one. Do keep us posted on any new arguments you make -- it's always nice to have a shiny new metaphorical dagger to bring to the battle.Vellumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14141550387013181309noreply@blogger.com