Post-9/11 Language Examined In New Book Library: LIF-SOC Keywords: SEPTEMBER TERRORISM CRITICISM BOOK SEMANTICS
Description: "Terrorism," "jihad," "fundamentalism," "blowback." These and other highly charged terms have saturated news broadcasts and everyday conversation since September 11, 2001. But to keen ears their meanings change depending upon who's doing the talking. So what do these words really mean? And what are people trying to say when they use them?
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BOOK BY ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY FACULTY LOOKS AT POST-9/11 LANGUAGE
CANTON, N.Y. - "Terrorism," "jihad," "fundamentalism," "blowback." These and other highly charged terms have saturated news broadcasts and everyday conversation since September 11, 2001. But to keen ears their meanings change depending upon who's doing the talking. So what do these words really mean? And what are people trying to say when they use them?
A forthcoming book edited by two St. Lawrence University professors - and with essays written by many others - is an effort to examine the meanings (literal and loaded) of the now commonplace terms. "Collateral Language," edited by Assistant Professor of Global Studies John Collins and Visiting Instructor of Sociology Ross Glover, is scheduled for publication in July by New York University Press. According to the publishers, "Each of the 13 essays in 'Collateral Language' offers an informed perspective on a particular word or phrase that serves as a building block in the edifice of post-World Trade Center rhetoric.
In some cases this involves a systematic examination of the term in question (such as 'anthrax' or 'unity') - its historical roots, the development of its meaning and usage in the U.S. over time, and its employment in the current context. In other cases authors provide a set of more philosophical or autobiographical reflections on a particular idea (such as 'vital interests' or 'evil'), suggesting a need to consider the ethical and moral implications of using the concept uncritically. In every instance, however, the overriding goal is to give the reader a set of practical tools to analyze the political language that surrounds all of us at this critical point in our nation's history."
Chapters and authors included are: Anthrax, St. Lawrence Assistant Professor of Sociology R. Danielle Egan; Blowback, Trinity College Assistant Professor of Political Science Patricia M. and St. Lawrence Associate Professor of Global Studies Thomas F. Thornton; Civilization vs. Barbarism, St. Lawrence Assistant Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures Marina Llorente; Cowardice, Egan; Evil, St. Lawrence Assistant Professor of Philosophy Laura Rediehs; Freedom, Andrew Van Alstyne '00, student at the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Fundamentalism, St. Lawrence Visiting Assistant Professor of Religious Studies Leah Renold; Jihad, St. Lawrence Assistant Professor of History Kenneth Church; Justice, St. Lawrence Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy Erin McCarthy; Targets, SUNY Potsdam Associate Professor of Politics Phil Neisser; Terrorism, Collins; Unity, St. Lawrence Professor of English Eve Stoddard and Professor of Philosophy Grant Cornwell; Vital Interests, St. Lawrence Associate Professor of English Natalia Rachel Singer; and The War On ________, Glover.
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