Susanne Rohr Book order

This collection honors William James - arguably the most famous American philosopher - as an eminent scholar and the father of pragmatism. Moreover, it examines the impact of pragmatism on various disciplines in the U. S., Canada, and Europe, engaging in a discourse that breaks new ground and advances new perspectives in theoretical debates that still seem to be largely dominated by European traditions. As with James's work itself, whose interdisciplinary character has inspired work especially in philosophy, psychology and physiology, this book is also characterized by interdisciplinarity and transnational dialogue. Scholars from the fields of philosophy, literary and cultural studies, social science, and religious studies innovatively explore pragmatism's importance, potential, and current relevance.

Making America tackles issues crucial to the formation and continuing re-imagination of American identity - and accordingly crucial to the field of American Studies - from contemporary theoretical positions. The essays collected in this volume are based on the premise that literature and other cultural artifacts make culture work and thus make culture. Hence they explore, from various critical angles, the interdependencies of this process whereby American cultural and national identity has been - and still is - shaped and challenged at the same time. Consequently, the volume foregrounds the rhetorical strategies which, orchestrating various conflicting cultural forces, locations, and voices, produce the multi-faceted phenomenon 'America'. The central interest which animates the critical work of the collaborative project of Making America is the dialogue between text and theory.