Rhetoric Seminar
Friday, Oct 16 2009 - 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
, 106 Bowman House
Writing Psychology: William James, Abraham Tucker and the Use of Examples
Michael Billig, Loughborough University
This paper is about the way psychology is written. It defends the importance of rhetoric and a writerly approach alongside theory and methodology. In particular, the paper pays tribute to two writers - Tucker and James - who wrote clearly and humorously by placing the humane understanding of examples over the elaboration of abstract theory and technical vocabulary.
Michael Billig is professor of Social Sciences, Loughborough University and a member of the Loughborough Discourse and Rhetoric Group. His background is in social psychology. He has published books on a number of subjects including social psychological theory, nationalism, and psychoanalysis. His recent books include Laughter and Ridicule: toward a social critique of humour (2005), Rock'n'Roll Jews (2000), Freudian Repression: conversation creating the unconscious (1999), and Arguing and Thinking: a rhetorical approach to social psychology (1996).
Michael Billig will also be delivering the annual Samuel L. Becker Lecture on Thursday Oct. 15 at 7:30 P.M., Shambaugh Auditorium.