Postgraduate Department of Communication

Christ College (Autonomous), Bangalore

MS Communication - I Semester

Communication and Media Theories

Course Plan 2007

Name of the Teacher : Anil Pinto

Total No of hours (approx) : 71

Paper : Communication and Media Theories

Week One

Lexio bevis

Defining meaning and scope of communication – Processes and functions of communication – Types of communication: Intra-personal, interpersonal and groups communication

Week Two

Media, public and mass communication and its types – Non-verbal communication - Nature of communication - symbolic, social, individual processes

Week Three

Models of communication – HUB model – Models of Aristotle and Shannon and Weaver

Week Four

David Berlo – Harold Lasswel – Charles Osgood – Wilber Schranm – Defleur – Gerbener – Newcomb

Week Five

Models of media systems – Structure and functions of mass media – The media Systems paradigm – Mass media and the critical consumer – Typology of audiences.

Week six

Week Six

Technological determinism - Normative media theories and society - Levels of communication –

Week Seven

Communication flow models – Four theories of the press and beyond. - The two step model and multi-step flow models – Opinion leadership

Week Eight

New media and rise of information society- New media and new theories - Variables for evaluating the effectiveness of communication.

Week Nine

Audience theory- Concept, mass to market - Types of audiences - Audience effects - Uses and gratifications - Cultivation theory - Individual differences theory -

Week Ten

Four phases of media effects - Diffusion - Functional approach to mass communication theory - Agenda setting and public opinion - Knowledge gaps - Spiral of silence

Week Eleven

Cultural theory in media research – Marxist theories – Neo-Marxist – Feminist – Political economy theory

Week Twelve

Marshall McLuhan – Baudrillard: The consumer society – Castelles: The information society – Van Dijk : Cultural theory of communication

Review/Feedback

Select Bibliography

· Wood. Julia. T: Communication theories in action - An introduction. Wadsworth Publishing Company. 1997.

· Mc Quail, Denis: McQuail's Mass Communication theory. (4th ed) - Sage, N.Delhi. 2000.

· McQuai, Denis: Mass Communication theory. (3rd ed) - Sage.

· Andal. N : Communcation theories and Models - Himalaya Publishing House. 1998. Bangalore.

· Infante Dominic. Andrew S. Rancer. Deanna F. Womack : (3rd ed) Building Communication theory - Waveland press Inc. 1990.

Assessment

End Semester Examination (ESE) - 50 marks

Continual Internal Assessment (CIA) – 50 marks

End Semester Examination (ESE)

ESE is for three hours which carries 50% of the maximum marks. Examination is conducted for 100 marks.

Question Paper Pattern:

Part	Type	No of Questions	No. of Qs to be answered	Marks	Total
A	Short Answer ( 200 words)	8 (2 each from every module)	5	5 x 8	40
B	Descriptive (500 words)	5 (At least one from each module)	4	4 x 15	60

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

	Type	Time	Share
CIA 1	Written Mid Semester Examination (MSE)	Immediately after 30 hours of lecture	50% i.e., 25 marks
CIA 2	One-Act Play production, presentation	Last week of July and first week of August	20% i.e., 10 marks
CIA 3	Written Assignment	First week of September	20% i.e., 10 marks
CIA 3	Attendance		10% i.e., 5 marks

Mid-semester Examination (MSE)

MSE is for two hours which carries 25% of the maximum marks (50 % of the CIA). Examination is conducted for 50 marks.

Question Paper Pattern:

Part	Type	No of Qs	No of Qs to be answered	Marks	Total
A	Short Answer ( 200 words)	6	4	4 x 5	20
B	Descriptive (500 words)	3	2	2 x 15	30

One-Act Play Production

You will be divided into four groups of 10. Each group will direct, act and produce a given play, do the publicity and get the audience. The play will be given in the first week of July and will have to be performed in the last week of July. The practice will have to be done after or before the class hours or during free time. No financial assistance will be given by the college. Use minimum props and stage property to keep the cost low.

The groups will have to submit a written assignment and make a presentation in class in the first week of August using the communication theories learnt.

The assessment will be based on your involvement in and contribution towards the entire process.

Methodology

The classes will follow lecture method. The lectures will as far as possible be PowerPoint based and will draw upon visual material namely painting, films, advertisement and literary works. There will also be scope for student presentations. As far as possible, emphasis will be given to practical understanding of the theories.

Guidelines for Submission:

· The written assignment should be based on extensive library research and analysis. The typed assignment should adhere to the following specifications: A4 size paper, 12 font size, 11/2 line space, font: Times New Roman, Book Antiqua, or Garamond

· Assignment details - your name, reg. no, class, semester, assignment code, name of the College, name of the teacher in-charge and date of submission- should be mentioned on the top right-hand side of the first page. Do not use a cover page.

· You are free to take the assignment beyond the expected criteria. Such efforts will be appreciated

· Those who are going to be out of town can submit the assignment online with prior permission

· No late submission is entertained

· Evaluation will be based on the research done, quality of analysis, writing style Plagiarism may amount to rejection of assignment

· Remember to give the reference at the end of your assignment of the books, articles and websites that you have referred to. The following pattern may be followed: Author’s name with the last name first, a period, name of the book underlined, a period, Place of Publication, colon, name of publication, year of publication, page no

o E.g.: Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand, My Experiments with Truth, New Delhi: Penguin, 1998.

o In case of a website give the complete URL of the site referred to along with the above details

o If you are directly lifting some lines quote them. If you are using some idea write it in your words but acknowledge it.

· Evaluation will be based on the research done, quality of analysis, writing style

Note:

Ø Attendance is compulsory for all the sessions.

Ø Please be punctual. If you are late, you will not be allowed to attend the class. However, should there be any serious issue, do discuss with me or bring to my notice through the counsellors.

Ø I expect you to come to class having read the required texts. Failing to which you will not allowed to attend the classes.

Ø Please feel free to clarify your doubts, ask questions or give feedback in the class, department or through email.

Ø While emailing please mention your name and class.

Ø If you are absent for any of the classes please get the help of your classmates to get updated, before you approach me for help.

Ø If you wish to make classroom presentation on any topic or idea within the framework of the syllabus, you will be given encouragement and guidance.

Ø Visit my blog for notices and announcements regularly

Ø I reply to emails within 24 hours. If you do not receive reply within that time, you may assume that I have not received your email.

Ø As far as possible avoid calling me on my mobile phone.

Ø All the best. Let us grow together.

Anil Pinto

Email: anil.pinto at christcollege.edu

Blog: http://anilpinto.blogspot.com

New and Emerging Technologies in ELT

Loyola College, Chennai (Madras), India August3 – 5, 2007

This is a three-day conference organized by ELTAI and the IATEFL Learning Technologies SIG. The conference will host a variety of practical and theoretical presentations centering on the conference’s theme of new and emerging technologies. The talks and workshops will cater both to experienced and novice teacher-users of learning technologies.

PLENARY SPEAKERS

• Professor James Coleman, Open University, UK
• Phil Hubbard, Stanford University, USA
• Gary Motteram, University of Manchester, UK
• Sophie Ioannou-Georgiou, Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, Cyprus
• Michael Coghlan, e-Learning Consultant, Australia
• Eric Baber, Freelance educational technologist, UK

Workshops will feature:

• Training Learners for Autonomy in Web-Based Listening
• Using Wikis in Language Learning and Teaching
• From Video Production to Video Blogging
• Blogging and Learner Autonomy
• Using Moodle

(Places for the workshops are limited. Places can be reserved on-site at the conference registration desk)

For more information and accommodation details check the event’s website at:

…

Or e-mail: Sadassivam Rajagopal sadasivraj@yahoo.co.in

To register you can email this form to IATEFL Head Office at: craig@iatefl.org

Or fax it to IATEFL at: +44 1227 824431 OR post it to: IATEFL, Darwin College, The University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NY, UK

PERSONAL DETAILS Family Name: _______________________________ First Name: ______________ Address:_____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Tel: ___________________________ Fax: _________________________________ E-mail: __________________________IATEFL membership number: ___________ Affiliation (for inclusion on conference badge): _____________________________ REGISTRATION FEES 1) IATEFL members 50 UKP _____ Non-IATEFL members 65 UKP ______ Conference fees include registration, conference pack, conference reception and all coffee and tea and meal breaks. Cancellations up to 10 days before the event will entail an administration charge of 10 UKP. There will be no fees returned, if cancellations take place within the last 10 days before the event.

*SOCIAL / CULTURAL EVENTS Conference Inauguration (Formal Tea and Dinner / Traditional music and dance) no charge Friday 3rd August or Monday 6th August Half-day Chennai city sight seeing tour (8.00a.m to 1.00p.m) (Places visited: Fort St.George, Govt.Museum, Valluvar Kottam, Snake park, Kabaleeswarar Temple and Marina Beach) Rs.170 per person Monday 6th August Full-day tour of Mamallapuram (6.30 a.m to 7.00p.m) (Places covered: Kancheepuram, [City of temples and Shopping-'Silk sarees) Mamallapuram (Rock temples) Muttukadu boating, V.G.P Golden Beach) Rs.470 per person (inclusive of breakfast lunch and boating) *You may reserve a place for the tours but do not include payment here. You will be asked to pay on site. If you choose the Friday morning tour, we will need to be notified of your accommodation so as to arrange pick-up.

OPTIONS Certificate of Attendance No /Yes to be collected from registration desk Receipt No/Yes to be sent with registration acknowledgement

METHOD OF PAYMENT By cheque (in Sterling) – made payable to IATEFL By Credit card: Card Type: _______________ Card No: _______________ Start date: ___________Expiry date: __________ Three digit security code (last 3 digits on the back signature strip): __________ Cardholder’s name (as written on card): __________________________ Signature: ____________________________

The Inauguration

The College opened for the Second and Thrid year students with the inaugural function chaired by the Principal at 10 am today. The Faculty were breiefed by the Principal about the events planned and the vision and motto for the year to come . The students were also withes all the best by teh gPRnicpal who wished them all the best. The students were then asked to proceed to the classes for the day. The classes went on till four o clock.

I had Headlines today giving a coverage to the experiments on blogs and orkut which have really helped me to reach out to many more students.

III BA V Sem Opt Eng Course plan

Department of Media Studies

Christ College (Autonomous), Bangalore

V Semester FEP, JPEng, PSEng

Literary Theory and Criticism, & Indian Literatures in Translation

Course Plan 2007

Name of the Teacher : Anil Pinto

Total No of hours (approx) : 37

Subject : Optional English

Papers : Literary Theory and Criticism, and Indian Literatures in Translation

No	Topic	No of Hours	Dates/Remarks
1	Structuralism Julie Rivkin and Michael Ryan : ‘The Implied Order: Structuralism’ Gerard Genette : ‘Structuralism and Literary Criticism’ Claude Levi-Strauss: ‘On Structuralist Approach to Levi-Strauss’	6-8	June 23 - June 30
2	Post-structuralism Julie Rivkin and Michael Ryan : ‘Introductory Deconstruction’ Paul de Man : ‘Semiology and Rhetoric’ J. Hillis Miller : ‘On a Post-structuralist Approach to Wordsworth’s a “Slumber Did my Spirit Seal”’	8-9	July 01 - July 30
3	Psychoanalysis William Vesterman : ‘A Brief Introduction to Psychoanalytic Criticism’ Earnest Jones ‘Hamlet and Psychoanalysis’ Geoffrey Hartman : ‘A Psychoanalytic Approach to “A Slumber did my Spirit Seal”’	7-9	Aug 01- Aug 22
4	Introduction to Indian Poetics (one hour per week	12-14	June 08 to Sept 22
5	Review/Feedback		Last week of Sept

Methodology

The classes will follow lecture method. The lectures will as far as possible be PowerPoint based and will draw upon visual material namely painting, films, advertisement and literary works. There will also be scope for student presentations.

Continuous Internal Assessment

Guidelines for Submission:

· The written assignment should be based on your field research. The typed assignment should adhere to the following specifications: A4 size paper, 12 font size, 11/2 line space, font: Times New Roman, Book Antiqua, or Garamond

· Assignment details - your name, reg. no, class, semester, assignment code, name of the College, name of the teacher in-charge and date of submission- should be mentioned on the top right-hand side of the first page. Do not use a cover page.

· You are free to take the assignment beyond the expected criteria. Such efforts will be appreciated

· Those who are going to be out of town can submit the assignment online

· No late submission is entertained

· Plagiarism will not be tolerated and may result in rejection of assignment

· Remember to give reference at the end of your assignment of the books, articles, websites, and films that you have referred to. The following pattern may be followed: Author’s name with the last name first, a period, name of the book italicised, a period, Place of Publication, colon, name of publication, year of publication, page no

o E.g.: Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand, My Experiments with Truth, New Delhi: Penguin, 1998.

o In case of a website give the complete URL of the site referred to along with the above details

o If you are directly lifting some lines quote them. If you are using some idea write it in your words but acknowledge it

For further information on bibliography writing please refer to MLA Handbook – Sixth Edition.

Note:

Ø Attendance is compulsory for all the sessions.

Ø Please be punctual. If you are late, you will not be allowed to attend the class. However, should there be any serious issue, do discuss with me or bring to my notice through the counsellors.

Ø I expect you to come to class having read the required essays. Failing to which you will not allowed to attend the classes.

Ø Please feel free to clarify your doubts, ask questions or give feedback in the class, department or through email.

Ø While emailing please mention your name, class and batch.

Ø If you are absent for any of the classes please get the help of your classmates to get updated, before you approach me for help.

Ø If you wish to make classroom presentation on any topic or idea within the framework of the syllabus, you will be given encouragement and guidance.

Ø Visit my blog for notices and announcements regularly

Ø I reply to emails within 24 hours. If you do not receive reply within that time, you may assume that I have not received your email.

Ø As far as possible avoid calling me on my mobile phone.

Ø All the best. Let us grow together.

Anil Pinto

Email: ajpinto42 at yahoo.co.in, ajpinto42 at gmail.com

Blog: http://anilpinto.blogspot.com

Breaking Ties: Sarah Aboobacker posts

Some of the students have been asking me about Breaking Ties by Sarah Aboobacker. Here are two of my posts: one, chat session reproduction and, the others pointers on the novel.

http://anilpinto.blogspot.com/2006/02/breaking-ties-pointers.html

http://anilpinto.blogspot.com/2006/02/breaking-ties-sarah-aboobacker-chat.html

Christ College BA (FEP) Functional/Communicative English Syllabus 2007 onwards

Functional English COURSE STRUCTURE Semester SUBJECT CODE SUBJECT TITLE HOURS MARKS CREDITS I FUE 131 Introduction to Mass Communication 4 100 3 FUE 132 Computer and Communication 4 100 3 II FUE 231 Applied Phonetics & Communication Skills 4 100 3 FUE 232 Introduction to Writing Skills 4 100 3 III FUE 331 Writing for the Media - Print 4 100 3 FUE 332 Creative Writing 4 100 3 IV FUE 431 Broadcasting Media – Radio 4 100 3 FUE 432 Basic Photography 4 100 3 V FUE 531 Media laws and Ethics 5 100 4 FUE 532 Films and Television 5 100 4 VI FUE 631 Advertising 5 100 4 FUE 632 Public Relations 5 100 4 Certificate Courses SUB CODE SUBJECT TITLE SEMESTER HOURS CREDIT FUE 101 Phonetics I 2 2 FUE 201 Art and Architectural Criticism and Journalism II 2 2 FUE 301 Public Speaking III 2 2 FUE 401 Visual Culture IV 2 2 FUE 501 Introduction to Film Studies V 2 2

Christ College BA Optional English Syllabus 2007 onwards

Optional English
COURSE STRUCTURE

Semester SUBJECT CODE SUBJECT TITLE HOURS MARKS CREDITS I OEN 131 British Literature: Anglo-Saxon to Early Victorian 5 100 4 II OEN 231 British Literature: Late Victorian to the Present 5 100 4 III OEN 331 American Literature 5 100 4 IV OEN 431 Postcolonial Literature 5 100 4 V OEN 531 Introduction to Literary criticism & Literary Theory 5 100 4 OEN 532 Indian Literatures in Translation 5 100 4 VI OEN 631 World Literatures 5 100 4 OEN 642 a OEN 642 b OEN 642 c Cultural Studies, English language teaching, Articulating woman 5 100 4

CERTIFICATE COURSES

SUB CODE SUBJECT TITLE SEMESTER HOURS CREDIT OEN 101 Cultural Studies I 2 2 OEN 201 Translation Studies II 2 2 OEN 301 Semiotics III 2 2 OEN 401 Philosophy IV 2 2

Translation notes - MKU

I am a little busy. As and when I find time, I will put up notes on the following chapters. If someone wishes type them and send me I shall put them up under their name on my blog.

anil

Types of Translation

Types of Translation

Translation theories were largely formed around Bible translations in the sixteenth century. Etienne Dolet is credited with the first formulation of a theory of translation

Dryden, one of the earliest English translation theorists, classifies translation into three types – metaphrase – word for word, line for line rendering, paraphrase – where in translating sense is given more importance, and imitation where sense matters in translation.

E.g.:

Horaces Ars Poetica trs by Ben Jonson - metaphrase

Virgil’s Aenid trs by Waller – paraphrase

Pindar’s two odes by Abraham Cowley – imitation

In 1789 George Campbell suggest three criteria for good translation

1. There should be just representation of the original
2. The spirit and manner of the original should be conveyed through consistency with the language of the translation
3. The translation should have the quality of an original performance so as to appear natural and easy.

In 1790 Alexander Taylor in The Principles of Translation set up three different principles

1. The translation should give a complete transcript of the idea of the original work
2. The style and manner of writing should be of the same character with that of the original.
3. The translation should have all the case of the original composition.

Goethe suggests two modes of translation

First, the translator attempts to bring foreign author to his reader and through the second the reader is taken to the author. It involves the ‘adoption’ of the foreign writer into the native literary tradition in terms of its language and culture without sacrificing the spirit of the original .

Second, where readers are taken to the author involves a word for word, line by line faithful translation

In the twentieth century radical ideas developed about translation. Roman Jacobson classified the twentieth century translation into three categories

1. Intralingual – rewording in the same language
2. Interlingual – translation into some other language
3. Intersemiotic – translation across media

Theodore Savory makes a comprehensive division into four groups.

First Group: Belongs to all statements of a purely informative in character such as those seen by a traveler like, notices instructions etc It has plain unemotional language

Second group: To this belong all popular translations meant for general reader.

Third group: - most important of all groups as it contains all scholarly translations of literary classes with commentaries and discussions on how good and how perfect the renderings are done by different translators in different times.

Fourth group: Contains all learned and scientific and technical publications.

Andre Lefevere catalogues seven strategies of translations

1. Phonemic translations
2. Literal translations
3. Metrical translations
4. Poetry into Prose
5. Rhymed translation
6. Blank verse translation
7. Interpretation

Some more theories of Translation

1. Medium restricted translation theories
2. Area restricted translation theories
3. Rank-restricted translation theories
4. Text-type restricted theories
5. Time-restricted theories
6. Problem-restricted theories

------------------------------------

Important questions:

1. Write a note on Andre Lefevere’s strategies of translation
2. Write a note on Theodore Savory’s division translation
3. Give a brief history of translation theories
4. Write a note on types of translation

Translation 2006 question paper - MKU

MAY 2006 Paper III - TRANSLATION: THEORY AND PRACTICE
Time: Three hours Maximum: 100 marks

Answer any FIVE of the following.
1. Discuss the three essential qualities of translation.
2. Examine the nature of meaning and its function in translation studies.
3. Briefly analyze the importance of referential and emotive meanings.
4. Critically examine the history of translation.
5. Examine the comprehensive division of translations that Theodore savory makes.
6. What are the problems encountered in poetry translations?
7. Discuss the general rules laid out by Hillaire Belloc for the translator of prose texts.
8. Examine the procedures of machine translation.
9. Write an essay on transference.
10. Examine the three steps involved in the process of transliteration.

Translation - MK University MPhil Programme

I am preparing the notes. Will upload as and when I am through the chapter. You may be able to check most of it early in the morning and thereafter.

Anil

IFEP internships

DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA STUDIES

CHRIST COLLEGE, BANGALORE – 29

I FEP SUMMER INTERNSHIP – APRIL, MAY 2007

Guidelines:

• Prepare a proposal in about 100 words and email it to me. The proposal should include name and address of the newspaper where you would be doing your internship, a brief write up on that newspaper, reasons for your choice of that particular newspaper, your plans during the internship and your opinion on how the internship will help you develop as an effective media person. The proposal should reach me on or before 24 April 2007.

• You are to collect a diary from Mr Kennedy by showing the receipt for Rs 30 paid at the admission office. Make entries into the diary on day-to-day basis. Your diary entries should include the assignments you were given, details of how you went about doing the assignments, new things you learnt about the field, about yourself and your abilities that day. After a few days, the diary entries will look similar, clichéd and monotonous. It is up to you to find newness and creativity in your internship everyday.

• During your internship in the newspapers, try to get as many by-lines as possible. They will carry a lot of weight on your CV later. However, you will soon realise that it is not easy to get them. Most of the time the news briefs or news stories that you write will be published under the title ‘From our staff correspondent’ or ‘_____ News Network.’ Do not lose heart.

• Try to build as many contacts as possible both within the organisation and with people you meet in the field. You will realise the value of it during the internship and later as you try to climb the professional and social ladder.

• Try and do challenging news stories or features. See if you can come up with your own topics for features or news stories. Remember journalism is literature in a hurry and has a very short life span. Therefore, timeliness of an article or news is the most crucial value that will prove your talent and ability. Your genius is not what will make you valuable but your consistency (Like Rahul Dravid, if I may say!).

• Compile the copies of your published works regularly, be they briefs, news stories or features in a file. You will have to submit them along with your on-the-job reports when the college reopens.

• . If you want some guidance, want to share your success or failure feel free to email me anytime.

Anil Pinto

15 April 2007 http://anilpinto.blogspot.com

------------------All the best------------------

The Scramble for Post-Colonialism - Stephen Slemon

(Below is the simplified summary of the essay. Like all simplifications this might distort concerns of the original. I have written keeping in mind students of non-English medium background and from Thiland. All the best)

Post colonialism is a confused area now. It has arrived at the intersection of many viewpoints some of them contradistinction and canceling each other. There are also efforts on the part of some to police the field- in the sense; there are some who wish to control the field. This tendency to control is dangerous because, then those who wish to control may impose their own hidden agenda which will against the spirit of post colonialism.

The field of post colonialism is being professionalized. It is becoming a institution which provides effective tools for cliquing the society. It is also enabling us to understand our societies in a deep manner.

Slemon wishes to address disorder brought about the various developments mentioned above. So he wants to find out

1. who is the player in the postcolonial field, (i.e. who are the people writing, building theories in PC (I will use this short form hence forth to refer to post colonialism. Please do not do that in the exam)

2. who is on the bench ( who is isolated by other theorist and writers in the field of PC)

3. When and how a player is called out.( When are writers are isolated?)

His primary question is: Why do so many radically different and methodologically hostile critical and teaching practices want to ground them in an area called PC. They do it in order to de-scribe (question, rewrite etc) their various empires and to engage in emancipatory and local institutional politics.

--------

The term PC is used in different fields to talk about heterogenous (diverse) set of subject positions, professional fields, and critical enterprises. It is used in nine different ways

1. Term critiquing totalizing forms of western historicism ( trying to see all developments as those beginning from the west)
2. subset of postmodernism and poststructuralism ( i.e., one more post--)
3. Longing by local people when larger nation identity is imposed on them. E.g. Kannadigas/tamilians asserting themselves against larger Indian identity.
4. Cultural marker of non-residing third world intellectuals
5. The suppressed voices and identities during the colonial period
6. oppositional form of reading. I.e. reading in way that is different from the way the colonial masters taught us to read.
7. political activity that springs from rejection of commonwealth studies

Despite all these different understanding it is still difficult to capture the concept of colonialism itself. Because the Western theories of subjectification and its resistances continue to develop in sophistication.

Colonialism has two important angles. One – it was a political and economic structure. Political because it ruled the colonizers in the principles of the west. Economic because of the trade interests. The second angle is ideological.. The colonizers way of thinking and ways of looking at the world were imposed on the colonized. And as a result, indigenous knowledge systems were destroyed.

The diagram

The diagram represents the colonial process. It says that colonization was a one way process. It took place from left to right. To colonize, the colonizers drew upon two important tools – the institutional regulators and semiotic field. Institutional regulators included colonial education system. The semiotics field refers to the way the colonizer represented the colonized in various texts names – novel, poems, painting, drama, travelogues, autobiographies etc. These representations gave a justification for colonization back home.

Two central debates within pC are : historical specificity and agency.

Historical specificity: There is a problem of defining; saying this exactly is colonialism that applies to colonialism all over the world. Because it is true that in certain cases there are actual historical incidents we can fall back on to point out as the causes. But there are other causes which are tranhistorical, e.g. certain ideological reasons, which vary from colonizer to colonizer. Even when we talk about representation, it shifts from time to time. The colonizer does not represent the colonized the same way through out the period of colonization.

Agency: Agency refers to the opposition to the colonial rules. The question is who or what acts as opposition. For ex. in India open protest of Gandhi and others are seen as protests. But what about the tribals, nomads who were more feared by the British because of their unpredictability than the others.

Colonialism always presents the subject (colonized people) as without agency.

Homi Bhaba does not agree that there is a homogenous colonial representation or subject formation either on the part of the colonizer or colonized. For him colonial identity is overwritten by differential play of colonialist ambivalence. Therefore, he suggests persistent questioning of the frame. The frame he refers to is the space of representation as well as frame of western modernity itself.

The threat of heterogeneity (Page 24 onwards)

Central problem in PC construction is the metaphor of post colonialism as a central metaphor. It is on this metaphor that critical methodologies are striving to have absolute control. Therefore, genuinely post – or anti-colonial forms of academic work should go beyond the diagram. Such works are done my Benita Parry and Homi Bhabha.

Postcoloniaslim today, functions in the academy as a political analysis of what to do about he ‘problem’ of colonialism both as a structure of historical power and as a debate within ‘theory’.

The ambivalence in PC discourse will suggest two forms of literary critical work which try to understand what happens politically when the colonized write. One, tries to discover the ‘real’ colonized beyond the colonial representation. Second, writing back to the empire – writing my story in my own way.

Methodological disagreement: the debate is likely to produce affiliation to some writers which will also see these writer being deployed beyond the areas of their own work. E.g. Gayatri Chakravarthi Spivak or Edward Said have been deployed in debates and purposes which they themselves never conceived or thought of.

Methodological disagreement can at the heart of it have neocolonialism at play within the work of opposing critical practice.

Spivak questions the attempt to reclaim ‘authentic’ subaltern voices that colonialism has silence. She says, such an attempt falls into the trap of colonialism itself. Because for colonialism ‘voice’ meant at expressive, articulate voice.

At the heart of accusation and counteraccusation between the warring post-colonial theorist is the notion that: the Other is always neo-colonialist – the voice of the colonizer in renewed function and in institutionalized form.

Slemon fears that the field of post colonialism is in danger of colonized by competing methodologies. He also fears that it will land up in researches which have no inertest in PC. As examples he sites works of Homi Bhabha and Spivak whose brilliant work in theorizing of colonialism and deconstruction respectively, undermines all the work in post colonialism itself.

Therefore, Slemon suggests that PC should become more tolerant of methodological difference. He also wishes to preserve decolonizing commitment to postcolonial studies. Post colonial studies should talk across cultural locations and across methodological dynasties.

Forms of colonialist power differ radically across cultural locations. and its relations with other oders of oppressions are always complex and multivalent. However the resistant to colonialist power find material presence at the level of local, therefore we must always address the local.

Slemon is open to PC being both a geographical metaphor as well institutional location . He is welcome to both the noisy disagreement of postcolonial differences and clarity.

But he is worried about the loss of specificity of colonial relations as well as the thorough specialization which will kill the discord.