CORE-UA 400.001 Subversion Study Notes

Professor: Kathrina A. LaPorta

Brief Overview of Course: The course investigates the theme of subversion through various contexts and examples.
Course Structure:
- Combination of lectures and recitations.
- Use of exit tickets for quick assessments of understanding.
- Homework assignments on relevant topics.

Introduction to Case Studies: The course will explore three significant case studies that exemplify subversive actions and thoughts throughout history.

Context: Antoine Sorel was known for creating a “canon” of subversive pamphlets in 1700s France. His works were critical of the established order and aimed to influence public thought.
Key Works:
1. Le Jésuite défroqué (The Defrocked Jesuit)
2. L’Histoire secrète de Henri IV (The Secret History of Henry IV)
3. La Cour de France Turbanisée (The Turbanized French Court)
4. La France toujours ambitieuse et toujours perfide (The Always Ambitious and Always Treacherous France)
5. Le Tombeau des Amours de Louis le Grand, et sur ses dernières galanteries (The Tomb of the Loves of Louis the Great, and his Final Amorous Quests)

Sorel's writings were significant because they challenged the norms of his time and sought to reveal truths about the political and social structures.
The pamphlets circulated widely and contributed to a culture of dissent. They often prompted governmental pushback, illustrating the risk associated with subversive literature.

Context: Michael Pollan’s narrative in “This Is Your Mind on Plants” discusses the historical interplay between drugs and societal regulation, particularly at the height of the war on drugs.
Major Themes:
- The importance of the narrative in understanding drug-related policies and societal perceptions.
- Pollan notes the challenges faced in publishing a complete version of his work due to legal constraints from censorship.
Quotation: “The narrative that follows this prologue is something of a period piece…that itself became a minor casualty of that war.”

Context: A modern act of defiance in China where an activist projected anti-Communist slogans on a building. This act was significant as it occurred in one of the most surveilled environments in the world.
Key Quotes Projected:
- “Only without the Communist Party can there be a new China.”
- “No more lies, we want the truth. No more slavery, we want freedom.”

Definitions:
- Etymology: Derived from Anglo-Norman and Middle French, originally meaning destruction or the overthrowing of a government. Specific terms include:
- Subversion: The action of razing a city or stronghold; moral destruction; transformation of established practices.
- Comes from terms related to the undermining of power and authority in institutions or governments.
- Conceptual Understanding: Subversion is generally understood as the action of challenging norms, overturning established beliefs, or instituting change through often covert actions.

Cultural Impact: The discussion of subversion intersects with literature, politics, and social theory, raising questions about ethical forms of dissent and the implications of challenging authority.
Practical Applications: Examination of contemporary movements that reflect subversive qualities, such as protests against censorship and the commodification of dissent in social media.

Skills Honed in Class:
- Synthesizing information
- Constructing coherent arguments
- Evaluating source credibility
- Analyzing and interpreting texts critically
- Understanding the contextual nature of knowledge

Homework Assignments: Include critical readings from various texts, focusing on themes of rebellion and authority. An emphasis on understanding how characters within narratives navigate subversion.
Exit Tickets: Utilized to gauge student learning and engagement, prompting quick reflections on lessons learned or questions arising from discussions.

The exploration of resistance through subversion in historical and modern contexts. Discussion of subversive literature, media, and actions that challenge the status quo, fostering a critical engagement with sources and methods of inquiry.

Final Thoughts: Understanding subversion is crucial for interpreting not only literary works but also for recognizing its role in shaping societal dynamics. The course aims to equip students with the tools to analyze and engage with subversive acts in various forms, critically evaluating their implications.