Project Ideas
I have two ideas in particular for my final project and would love to get input on both of them:
1) The Road Trip as Tourist Production: I've noticed that much of the literature we've examined emphasizes the importance of the method of conveyance and the significance of the journey in tourist productions. At the same time, we've looked into a variety of tourist sites (and tourist 'traps') individually that I have previously encountered/enjoyed while on road trips. I would be interested in doing a project that examines these sites together as part of that (to my mind) uniquely USian tourist production, the road trip. So much of US tourism seems to be directly connected to the economy of the Interstate Highway system, and I think theorizing around this system as a whole tourist production could be very interesting. At the same time, I've been a bit perturbed by the Situationists' denigration of vehicular travel in their articulation of derives, and would be interested in trying to develop some Latourex style alternative tourism models expressly designed for automobile-centric tourism.
2) As I continue my studies I am focusing on a project that examines diplomacy and espionage as performance. To that end I think it would be quite useful for me to undertake an examination of the recently opened (2003/2004) International Spy Museum, in Washington DC. I've visited the museum once before, it has fascinating exhibits about the history of espionage, a 4 star cafe with spy-themed cocktails, and an interactive 'theme-park' sort of atmosphere where young and old get to play at being James Bond or Harry Palmer. My hypothesis going in would be to imagine the site (via Althusser) as an ideological state apparatus providing a happy-go-luck gloss for the repressive state apparatus embodied by the CIA and FBI. (The tour of the J Edgar Hoover FBI building might be another worthwhile side trip for this project (except I just noticed that tour has been shut down indefinitely), or even the recently opened National Museum of the Marine Corps).
Comments
Jim --
Although I do love the pursuit of the International Spy Museum, my personal vote is for the 'road trip' investigation.
i realize you just came off of one, but this experience is such a mark of american tourism.
For example: Last week, at a dinner party with some PS gals we decided we would celebrate our graduation with a cross country trip. Also, my husband is currently reading Kerouac's "On the Road", which has sparked a desire in us to pursue similar treks/tracks.
What does this pilgramage represent on an individual and collective base? The phenomenon of the road trip brings up the phrase 'rites of passage'. Also it would be interesting to consider how it's been depicted in film ( ex. national lampoon/ road trip/ rv. etc)
looking forward to whatever prospect you pursue!
Posted by: jamie Reynolds | February 26, 2007 12:55 AM