32-38 Flashcards
Stream of Thought
William James’s description of human consciousness. James
describes cognition as a “stream of thought, of consciousness, of
subjective life.” All experience takes place within this stream and is
the only known reality for the individual. The law is: “absolute
insulation” (within the individual), “irreducible pluralism” of sense
impressions.
Modernism
Name for various cultural movements in the West (Europe, USA,
Latin America) which reacted to the sense of social breakdown,
alienation, acceleration and automation of modern life. It reacted
against the ordered ideas of Victorianism, Realism and tradition.
Examples are Dadaism, Surrealism, Futurism etc.
Armory Show
Art Exhibition in New York in 1913, which introduced modernist
art to America. First American contact with Picasso, Matisse,
Brancusi, Gaugin etc.
Film Noir
Modernist American Cinema in the late 1930s and the 1940s
working with low key lighting (noir), which reacts to the modern
experiences of urbanization, the rise of suburbia, changes in
manners and values, alienation, the transformation of gender roles,
middle class life and doubts about the future.
Harlem Renaissance
Lively and multifaceted cultural movement centered in Harlem,
New York, which produced African-American art (literature,
paintings, photography, film, music) characterized by pride and
self-assertion, yet haunted by the trope of “primitivism”.
Popular Culture
Popular forms of entertainment, which were exploited by the
culture industry since the end of the 19th century (shows, parks,
radio, film, newspapers, serial novels etc.). According to Ostendorf
they are characterized by a belief in the common man,
egalitarianism, liberalism, the moral community and pragmatic
problem solving.
Populism
Agrarian Protest Movement after the Civil War calling for the
support of the “common man” (read: farmer). Objects: Cheaper money (free silver), nationalization of railroads, graduated income
tax, direct election of senators. Partly haunted by white supremacy.
