roads and road publics - university of...

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RoadsandRoadPublicsANG6930-21E5/ANT4930-21E4

Spring2017

Instructor:RichardKernaghan Tuesdays5-7(11:45a-2:45p)DepartmentofAnthropology MAT0012TurlingtonHallB121 OfficeHours:kernaghan@ufl.edu Wed.1:00-3:30pmorbyappt.Description:Whatcommunitiesemergethroughthematerialandfiguralconstructionofroadsaspublicworks?Whatkindsofeventsandencountersdosuchworksmakepossible?Thiscourseexaminesroadsandrelatedtransitinfrastructureforthewaysinwhichtheybringthetensionsbetweenphysicalterrains,stategovernanceandpoliticalsubjectivitiestothefore,allthewhileunderscoringthepredicamentsentailedbyrepresentingpublicinterestassharedandgeneral.

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In this classweweigh thedistinctive featuresand traitsofdifferentkindsof roads, focusingonexperiences of speed and temporal dislocation, as they intersectwith the dense historicities ofspecificlocales.Weprivilegehighwaysandtransitmega-projectsintheAmericasfortheirprofoundconnectionstoterritorialadministration,regimesofpropertyandpoliticalbelonging.Inparticular,wewillexplorethemultipleusesandeffectsofnewroads:howtheyhavereconfiguredurban,peri-urban and rural landscapes, impacted indigenous populations, shaped settler ideologies, andbolsteredstateclaimstoradicaltitleoverfrontiers.Byaskingwhatbindstransitinfrastructurestoassertionsofeminentdomainwewillstressthepoliticalcharacterofroadsandtheirpotentialforbecomingchargedspacesofencounter—asnodalpointsofgovernmentality(checkpointswiththeirvariousformsofprofiling);assitesforpopularcontentions(demonstrations,strikes,blockages)andfor the insistence of counter-publics; or as zones of “everyday insecurity” (crime and trafficaccidents).Ultimately,wewillseektounderstandhowroadsarticulatedistinctkindsofcirculationsbyexaminingthevariablemodesofsociality(intimacy,remove,anonymity,etc.)theyproduce.Overview of Requirements: This class is run as a seminar with active participation in alldiscussionsexpected.Atleastonceduringthesemestereachstudentwillbeaskedtoprepareandpresentaseminarreportononeormoreoftheassignedreadings.Thereisafinalpaper—thefirstdraftofwhichisduebymid-semester.Requiredtexts:Harvey&Knox,Roads:anAnthropologyofInfrastructure&Expertise(CornellUP,2015)Recommended:Augé,IntheMetro(UniversityofMinnesotaPress,2002)Bennet,VibrantMatter(DukeUniversityPress,2010)Schivelbusch,TheRailwayJourney.(UniversityofCaliforniaPress,1987)Warner,PublicsandCounterPublics(ZoneBooks,2005)The above books have been placed on reserve at LibraryWest. All remaining assigned andsupplementalreadingscandownloadedfromtheCanvascoursepage.PartialFilmography:Kôhîjikô/ CaféLumière(HsiaoHsien,2003)Enelhoyo/InthePit(Rulfo,2006)Iracema,UmaTransaAmazônica(Bodansky&Senna,1974)Lesalairedelapeur/WagesofFear(Clouzot,1953)TransEuropExpress(dir.Robbe-Grillet)Lubianyecan/ KailiBlues(dir.GanBi)Attendance:Pleasearrivepunctuallyandremainuntiltheendofclass.Anattendancesign-upsheetwillbecirculatedeachsession.Ifyoumustmissclass,pleaseinformmeaheadoftime(orassoonaspossible)andprovideappropriatedocumentation.Don’tforgettocontactaclassmateandobtainnotesonmaterialscoveredwhileaway.

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Absences for reasonsof religiousholiday, illness,andofficialuniversitybusinessareexcused;however, proper notificationmust still be provided. Please note:More than one unexcusedabsencewillundermineperformanceinthecourse.Afterthesecondunexcusedabsencethefinalgradewillbereducedafullletter.Studentswithfourormoreunexcusedabsencesriskfailing.Bonuscreditwill,however,begrantedforperfect(ornearperfect)attendance.ForofficialUFPolicyonattendanceandabsencespleaseconsult:https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspxEvaluations–Finalcoursegradeswillbecalculatedaccordingtoacombinationoffourcriteria:Participation(20%):Agradeforparticipationwillbeassessedattheendofthesemesterbasedonthedegreetowhichyouplayanactive, informedrole inclassdiscussions,andinsodoingcontribute to the course’s overall success. Please be prepared at each session to share yourimpressions, questions and interpretations of all assigned materials. You are also highlyencouragedtomeetwithmeinofficehourstwoorthreetimesduringthesemestertotalkaboutyourprogressinthecourseandyouron-goingworkonthefinalproject.Seminar Report/Presentation (25%): You will be responsible for the preparation andpresentation of one seminar report (length: 5-6 double spaced pages) on the topic of yourassignedweek.Theseminarreportshouldnotmerelysummarizebutofferawell-crafted,spiritedinterpretationthatsituatestherequiredreadingswithintheideasandconceptsofthecourse.Itshould also outline specific concerns and hone questions. Student(s) in charge of thepresentationmustcirculatea listofdiscussionpointsandquestionsat least24hourspriortoclass(thatis,nolaterthan11:30amonMonday)viaCanvas.Mid-semesterpaper(25%):Thisassignmentisafirstdraftofthefinalpaper.Therequiredlengthforundergraduatestudents is2000words; forgraduatestudents4000words.Aconcise250-wordabstractthatclearlyoutlinestheobjectivesoftheprojectisdueonFebruary7.Termprojectpaper(30%):Forundergraduatestudents–Thefinalpaperisa“roadethnography”broadlydefined,basedonaresearchprojectofyourowndesignandwithalengthofapproximately3300words.Thepapershould critically examine one of the class themes through the exploration of a specific topicelaboratedinconsultationwithme(theinstructor).For graduate students – The final paper should be an original, persuasive and creativeengagement with one ormore of the class concepts. Of approximately 5500-7000 words inlength, it should contributedirectly towards thedevelopmentofa conferencepaper, journalarticleordissertationchapter.Thetermprojectpapermustbehandedinnolaterthanthelastdayofclass.Allpapers,examsandreportsmustbetypedanddouble-spacedwithone-inchmarginsandpagesnumbered.Pleasestapleandnumberthepages.Inadditiontosubmittingahardcopy,youmustalsouploadanelectronicversionviatheCanvasassignmentprompt.

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Writtenassignmentswillbejudgedoncontent(theextenttowhichtheysucceedinexplicatingcoursematerialandthemes)butalsointermsofstyle(coherence,persuasivenessandcreativity).AssignmentDeadlines:1)seminarpaper:TBA

2)finalprojectabstract:February7

3)mid-semesterpaper:February28

4)finalpaper:April18Latepolicy:Assignmentsaredueatthebeginningofclassofthecalendardeadline.Mid-termpapersandseminarreportshandedinlatebutstillwithinoneweekoftheoriginalduedatewillbedockedtheequivalentofafull lettergrade.Afterthattheywillnolongerbeaccepted.Noextensionswillbegrantedforthefinaltermpaper.AcademicHonesty:Plagiarismandcheatingareseriousacademicoffenses.Allworksubmittedforagrademustbefreefromunauthorizedassistanceordeliberatemisrepresentationsofone’sownefforts.Thepenaltyforplagiarismorcheatingisagradeofzeropointsontheassignmentinquestion.InsuchcasesanincidentformwillalsobesenttotheOfficeoftheDeanofStudents.Ifyouhavequestionsaboutwhatconstitutesacademicmisconduct,pleaseconsulttheUFHonorCodeaswellastheUFPoliciesonAcademicHonesty,StudentRightsandResponsibilities.See:https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/advising/info/student-honor-code.aspx,alsohttps://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/seminars-modules/academic-integrity-moduleADA Statement: “Studentswith disabilities,who need reasonablemodifications to completeassignmentssuccessfullyandotherwisesatisfycoursecriteria,areencouragedtomeetwiththeinstructor as early in the course as possible to identify and plan specific accommodations.StudentswillbeaskedtosupplyaletterfromtheDisabilityResourceCentertoassistinplanningaccommodations.”Grading:Thefollowingscalewillbeusedforgradesonallassignmentsandexams:94-100=A;90-93=A-; 87-89=B+; 83-86=B; 79-82=B-; 76-78=C+; 72-75=C; 69-71=C-; 66-68=D+; 62-65=D; 59-61=D-;58andbelow=E(failing).Regardinguniversitygradingpolicies,beadvisedthatagradeofC-isnotvalidformajor,minor,GenEd,GordonRule,orforcollegebasicdistributioncredit.Forquestionsaboutminusgrades,pleaseseehttp://www.isis.ufl.edu/minusgrades.html.You may consult current UF policy on how grade point averages are calculated athttps://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx#calculating.Coursefeedback:Studentsareexpectedtoprovidefeedbackonthequalityofinstructioninthiscoursebycompletingonlineevaluationsathttps://evaluations.ufl.edu/.Evaluationsaretypicallyopenduringthelasttwoorthreeweeksofthesemester,butstudentswillbegivenspecifictimes

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when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students athttps://evaluations.ufl.edu/results/.AdditionalUFResources:Health&Wellness• UMatter,WeCare:Ifyouorafriendisindistress,pleasecontactumatter@ufl.eduor352392-1575sothatateammembercanreachouttothestudent

• UniversityCounseling&WellnessCenter,3190RadioRoad(392-1575)http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/• UniversityPoliceDepartment:392-1111or9-1-1foremergencies• SexualAssaultRecoveryServices(SARS),StudentHealthCareCenter,392-1161• StudentHealthCareCenter(392-1161)http://shcc.ufl.edu/Academic• TeachingCenter,BrowardHall,392-2010or392-6420.Generalstudyskillsandtutoring.http://teachingcenter.ufl.edu/

• TheWritingStudio,302TigertHall(864-1138)http://writing.ufl.edu/writing-studio/for-students/• CareerResourceCenter,ReitzUnion(392-1601)http://www.crc.ufl.edu/• LibrarySupport,http://cms.uflib.ufl.edu/ask.Variouswaystoreceiveassistancewithrespecttousingthelibrariesorfindingresources.

Pleasenote:Imaymakeminoradjustmentstoclassreadingsorassignmentrequirementsduringthecourseofthesemester.Anyandallmodificationswillbeannouncedaheadoftime.

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CourseScheduleweek1 introductions:onthevitalityofroads1/10 Dalakoglou,“Towardsananthropologyofroads” Larkin,“Thepolitics&poeticsofinfrastructure” Kafka,“TheGreatWallofChina” film:InthePit(dir.Rulfo)week2 ethnographiesofterrain1/17 Harvey&Knox,Roads:Introduction,PartI&PartII film:Iracema:UmaTransaAmazónica(dir.Bodanzky&Gauer) supplementary:Fox,“FromMontrealtoMinnesota,byInlandSea”week3 roadevents1:landscapesshift1/24 Bergson,“Theperceptionofchange” Kosok,“TransportinPeru” Kernaghan,“AsphaltFurrows” Reeves,“InfrastructuralHope” film:Thedecadeofdestruction.Episodeone(dir.Cowell) supplementary: Schivelbusch,RailwayJourney Weber,PeasantsintoFrenchmen,Chapter12week4 rhythm1/31 Lefebvre,Rhythmanalysis(selectedchapters) Vannini,“Intime,outoftime:Rhythmanalyzingferrymobilities” Messiaen,“Conversation3” Deleuze,“Boulez,ProustandTime” Stewart,“RoadRegisters”

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film:CaféLumière(dir.HouHsiao-Hsien) supplementary: Benveniste,“TheNotionof‘Rhythm’” Henriqueset.al.,“RhythmReturns” Thrift,“Movement-Space”week5 fromthingstotheirpublics2/7 Augé,IntheMetro:“Memories” Kharkhordin,“Thingsasrespublicae” Warner,“Publics&Counterpublics(abbreviatedversion)” Canetti,“TheFifteenthofJuly” film:TransEuropExpress(dir.Robbe-Grillet) projectabstractdue supplementary: Arendt,“ThePublicRealm:thecommons” Tarde,“ThePublicandTheCrowd”week6 senseandsurface

2/14 Ficek,“CallePrincipal” Mrazek,“AsphaltasLanguage” Bennet,VibrantMatter:chapter5 Graham&Thrift,“OutofOrder:UnderstandingRepairandMaintenance” film:TheWagesofFear(dir.Henri-GeorgesClouzot) supplementary: Schapp,“ThreePiecesofAsphalt” Bennet,VibrantMatter:chapter2week7 imagetrance,imageworld2/21 Durkheim,“OriginoftheNotionofEmblem” Debord,SocietyoftheSpectacle:1.“TheCulminationofSeparation” Salvatore,“ImperialMechanics” Starostina,“Engineeringtheempireofimages” Larkin,“Makingequivalencehappen”

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film:KailiBlues(dir.GanBi) supplementary: Heidegger,“OriginoftheWorkofArt” Debord,SocietyoftheSpectacleweek8 roadevents2:history,legibility,expression2/28 Uribe,“TheTrampolineofDeath” Bakhtin,“Formsoftimeandofthechronotopeinthenovel” Serres(inconversationwithLatour),“ADifferentTheoryofTime” film:Mr.Pig(dir.Luna) termpaperdraftdueweek9 SpringBreak3/7 noclassweek10 finalprojectsworkshop3/14 peerevaluationactivityweek11 unsettledties3/21 Berlant,“Thecommons:Infrastructuresfortroublingtimes” Serres,“TheoryoftheQuasi-Object” Harvey&Knox,Roads(PartIII) film:TBA supplementary: Kockelman,“Enemies,Parasites,andNoise” week12 infrastructuralpower,ortheworkofnets3/28 Mann,“Theautonomouspowerofthestate” Kittler,“Cityisamedium” Kittler,“Gramophone,Film,Typewriter”

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Konopinski,“BorderlineTemporalities&SecurityAnticipations” Rose,“StoppingtheGreaterCairoRingRoad” film:TBA supplementary: USArmyFieldManual:“UrbanTerrainAnalysis” Lefebvre,“SpaceandtheState” Kittler,“MediaWars”week13 crash,blockage,repair4/4 Benjamin,“TheRailwayDisasterattheFirthofToy” Khan,“Flawsintheflow” Klaeger,“Dwellingontheroad” Lombard,“NavigationalToolsforCentralAfricanRoadblocks“ film:Kumiko,TheTreasureHunter(dir.Zellner) supplementary: Serres,“TheBestDefinition:Theparasiteisathermalexciter”week14 presentations4/11 reportsonindividualresearchweek15 presentations4/18 reportsonindividualresearch termpaperdue