Metanarratives & Perspectives

Metanarratives or grand narratives constitute stories created about the world by power structures, this generally with the purpose of exerting control. These grand narratives are overarching stories that attempt to explain the meaning and purpose of events and experiences providing a universal explanation of the world and humanity. Lyotard popularised the issue when referring to disbelief regarding metanarratives of humanity. Postmodernism criticises these notions on monolithic universals and encourages fractured, fluid and multiple perspectives.

This course will analise some of the main grand narratives that have arisen in the history of mankind, especially in the West. Postmodernism attempts to replace metanarratives by focusing on particular contexts. Students should realise the existence of a multiplicity of standpoints rather than grand, all-encompassing stories. This course will also look into the new legitimating myths of the West and their use as instruments of Western political and economic power.