We need to read Hardt and Negri in two different ways simultaneously. First, we want to read it as a study of consciousness change. We read them as scholars interested in bringing into view an important change in consciousness. I wish they portrayed the change in discourse a bit more than they do, but you will have to be construct that change on your own. In fact, supplement their work as scholars with the question: With what discourse does Empire alter our consciousness and with it our production?
Second, we want to read Empire as rhetoric: Hardt and Negri are rhetors trying to manifest Empire so that we can respond to Empire and change it. Although it is tempting to say that these two ways of reading are divided by the "Intermezzo," that would be too clean. Think about how the book as study and as rhetoric moves through the whole book.
Bring issues you want to talk about in these introductory pages of Hardt and Negri.
Klumpp on consciousness change.
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Discuss the crisis in political sovereignty
Discuss Hardt and Negri with particular attention to the discourse markers and motivational qualities of empire.
Identify issues for discussion in Hardt and Negri.
Complete discussion of Hardt and Negri
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