MISS Pro

Everyday Reflection: The Master Narrative

11

11 unread replies.

11

11 replies.

French philosopher Jean-François Lyotard described the demise of

universal truth in the postmodern era in ​The Postmodern Condition​.

Lyotard included the term "master narrative" to help explain this

demise.

Generally, a master narrative refers to an explanation (or narrative)

that is thought to encompass all truths, transcends doubt and, for all

intents and purposes, cannot be challenged. It is a narrative

attempting to explain the smaller narratives of historical meaning,

experience, or knowledge associated with it. The master narrative

offers a society legitimation through the anticipated completion of an

(as yet unrealized) master idea.

Within American Ethnic Studies and the substudies included, the

Master Narrative is generally described as the colonially-derived story

of events that typically emphasizes European perspectives. In

contrast, the Counter Narrative offers accounts of history from diverse

perspectives, with a critical examination of the widely accepted,

colonially-derived story. Reading or writing counter-narratives is part

of a process of decolonizing, or dismantling and questioning the

histories that are regularly read, repeated, and studied in mainstream

education.

________________________________________________________

__________________

Additionally ​(and ignore the last 5 words of this passage)​:

________________________________________________

Consider why some of the content in this course may seem new to

you (and/or others). What does this say about the pervasiveness of

the Master Narrative has impacted you? Others?*

Write ​250 words​ about this and post it here by 5pm. You must post

before seeing replies.

Be prepared to discuss this in future sessions as it comes up.

*​The only "incorrect' answer is, "It hasn't impacted me." The Master

Narrative has impacted everyone in one way or another.