Orientalism

by Sardar, Ziauddin

• ISBN13: 9780335202072
• ISBN10: 0335202071
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-05-01
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Summary

Orientalism, the theory and practice of representing 'the Orient' in European thought, is a controversial and a problematic concept. This book provides a concise text on the evolution and development of the theory of orientalism, the practice of orientalism in history, and its persistence and reformulation in contemporary times. It places Edward Said's contribution in an appropriate historical context, examines the work of his critics, and explores the postmodern future of orientalism. Ziauddin Sardar provides a highly original historical perspective and shows how orientalism was reworked and reinvested during the Middle Ages, the Enlightenment, colonialism and under the impact of modernity. Through the examination of a wide range of cultural products - films, television, fiction, CD-roms - this clear and coherent overview suggests that, as a practice of representing the 'Other', orientalism has been substantially transformed: it has reformulated itself as a diverse and sophisticated tool of representation.

Author Biography

Ziauddin Sardar is editor of the journal Futures. He is Visiting Professor of Postcolonial Studies, Department of Art Policy and Management, City University, London.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
The Concept of Orientalism	1	(12)
A Short History	13	(41)
Theory and Criticism	54	(23)
The Contemporary Practice	77	(30)
The Postmodern Future	107	(12)
Notes	119	(7)
Select Bibliography	126	(5)
Index	131