Critical Regionalism
Critical Regionalism: Connecting Politics and Culture in the American Landscape by Douglas Reichert Powell
*Full disclosure: the author works in my department and is a friend of mine.
In Critical Regionalism, Reichert Powell proposes a mode of critical inquiry one might describe as palimpsestic. Recognizing the multiple forces that go into shaping concepts of regions, scholars should explore and engage with as many perspectives as possible, seeking to understand how all the interested parties understand their region. By highlighting these different perspectives and histories, a critical regionalist scholar can work to build bridges between the parties and make positive change in the way regions are defined and explored.
The book suggests a methodological approach to the study of place that weaves among regional studies, geography, history, culture studies, and literary criticism. Much of the book centers around Johnson City, TN and Appalachia. The multivalent perspectives of the region that come into play are fascinating and delightful, and the critical regionalist approach develops on fronts both historical and literary. Reichert Powell also calls for a more engaged academy, suggesting that universities construct themselves as bubbles separated from their home communities and we would do well to dissect our own concept of the “place” of the university in the larger world.
I also noticed some connections to other scholars and scholarly projects (aside from those directly mentioned by DRP):
- Jeff Rice’s work on place seems particularly relevant in the context of this book. Not being someone who studies place much, I can’t say where this book settles into such discourses, but there it is.
- I’m reminded a bit of Ulmer’s Heuretics, with its intensely personal lens used as a guiding and structuring device.
- Reichert Powell mentions De Certeau a couple times, but I couldn’t help noticing the connections between this book and The Practice of Everyday Life.
A solid scholarly work and definitely worth a read.