Conflict in the Academy : A Study in the Sociology of Intellectuals

Examining an intramural conflict that erupted within the English Faculty at Cambridge University in the early 1980s, this book develops a theoretical analysis of disputes as they unfold within the academy and explores the broader historical shifts within Higher Education and how these related to developments in Continental Europe. Examining an intramural conflict that erupted within the English Faculty at the University of Cambridge in the early 1980s, this book develops a theoretical analysis of disputes as they unfold within the academy. It shows how broad structural changes taking place within the English higher education system at the time reverberated through to local contexts, investigates the reception of theories originating in other countries and other disciplines upon English Studies in the United Kingdom, as well as demonstrating the significance of local institutional factors in structuring the form and content of the dispute. Capturing a key moment in the development of modern English Studies it reveals the social performance lying at the heart of public controversy and develops a new theory for analysing the workings and tribulations of intellectual life This Book Examines An Intramural Conflict That Erupted Within The English Faculty At The University Of Cambridge In The Early 1980s In Order To Develop A Theoretical Analysis Of Disputes As They Unfold Within The Academy. The Book Shows How Broad Structural Changes Taking Place Within The English Higher Education System At The Time Reverberated Through To Local Contexts, And Investigates The Reception Of Theories Originating In Other Countries And Other Disciplines Upon English Studies In The Uk, As Well As Demonstrating The Significance Of Local Institutional Factors In Structuring The Form And Content Of The Dispute. Its Analysis Captures A Key Moment In The Development Of Modern English Studies And Reveals The Social Performance Lying At The Heart Of Public Controversy. The Case Study Is Used To Develop A New Theory For Analysing The Workings And Tribulations Of Intellectual Life. An Innovative Contribution To Cultural Sociology And The Sociology Of Intellectuals, Morgan And Baert Provide A Multi-dimensional Account Of Academic Conflict Through A Mixture Of Institutional, Cultural, And Dramaturgical Analysis. 1. Introduction: A Storm In A Teacup? -- Part I: The 'maccabe Affair' In Context -- 2. Chronology Of Events -- 3. Contextualising The Dispute -- Part Ii: Symbolic Struggles And Performative Positioning -- 4. Examples Of Strategies Employed By The Pros -- 5. Examples Of Symbolic Strategies Employed By The Antis -- 6. Conclusion. Marcus Morgan And Patrick Baert. "Examining an intramural conflict that erupted within the English Faculty at the University of Cambridge in the early 1980s, this book develops a theoretical analysis of disputes as they unfold within the academy. It shows how broad structural changes taking place within the English higher education system at the time reverberated through to local contexts, investigates the reception of theories originating in other countries and other disciplines upon English Studies in the United Kingdom, as well as demonstrating the significance of local institutional factors in structuring the form and content of the dispute. Capturing a key moment in the development of modern English Studies it reveals the social performance lying at the heart of public controversy and develops a new theory for analysing the workings and tribulations of intellectual life."--Publisher's website Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction: A Storm in a Teacup?....Pages 1-9 Front Matter....Pages 10-10 Chronology of Events....Pages 11-22 Contextualising the Dispute....Pages 23-40 Front Matter....Pages 41-43 Examples of Symbolic Strategies Employed by the Pros....Pages 44-59 Examples of Symbolic Strategies Employed by the Antis....Pages 60-73 Conclusion....Pages 74-81 Back Matter....Pages 82-96