The afikra Podcast

Orientalism & Edward Said | Professor Nubar Hovsepian

Episode Summary

Author of "Edward Said: The Politics of an Oppositional Intellectual," professor Nubar Hovsepian joins us to delve into the nuanced legacy of Edward Said, exploring common misunderstandings of his work, the reception of "Orientalism" within academia, and Said's vision of the "oppositional intellectual." The discussion also covers the evolving discourse around Zionism and Palestine, the challenges faced by the Palestinian liberation movement, and the critical need for new forms of struggle and organization. This conversation offers a candid look at the intellectual journey of Edward Said and its enduring relevance in contemporary Arab and global contexts.

Episode Notes

Author of "Edward Said: The Politics of an Oppositional Intellectual," professor Nubar Hovsepian joins us to delve into the nuanced legacy of Edward Said, exploring common misunderstandings of his work, the reception of "Orientalism" within academia, and Said's vision of the "oppositional intellectual." The discussion also covers the evolving discourse around Zionism and Palestine, the challenges faced by the Palestinian liberation movement, and the critical need for new forms of struggle and organization. This conversation offers a candid look at the intellectual journey of Edward Said and its enduring relevance in contemporary Arab and global contexts.

 

0:00 Edward Said: The Oppositional Intellectual

0:20 Orientalism as a System of Domination

1:07 Misunderstandings of Edward Said's Work

3:18 The Reception of "Orientalism" in Academia

11:00 Columbia University and Ideas About Israel and Zionism

14:00 The Evolving Discourse on Zionism

18:24 Defining the Oppositional Intellectual

20:59 Pessimism of the Intellect, Optimism of the Will

22:50 The Palestinian Liberation Movement: Peaks and Valleys

30:47 The Democratic Secular State and Its Opponents

34:09 Shifting Perceptions of Palestine Among Youth

37:00 Advice for Young Activists and Intellectuals

38:57 Mistakes of the Palestinian Movement

44:30 The Concept of Citizenship Versus Subjecthood

47:00 Edward Said's Relationship with America and the Arab World

50:27 Recommended Readings by Edward Said

 

Nubar Hovsepian is associate professor emeritus of political science at Chapman University in Orange, CA. He is the author of "Edward Said: The Politics of an Oppositional Intellectual," "Palestinian State Formation: The Construction of National Identity," and editor of "The War on Lebanon." Hovsepian served from 1982 to 1984 as political affairs officer for the United Nations conference on the Question of Palestine.

Connect with Nubar Hovsepian 👉 https://instagram.com/nubar.hovsepian