Toronto Theory Workshop | What Happens to Concepts? A Typology of Citational Relations and the case of “Abeyance”
When and Where
Speakers
Description
Abstract: Verta Taylor’s article on Abeyance in feminist movements (1989) has, by JSTOR’s account, been cited 1,868 times since its publication, resonating deeply with movement scholars over the last 30 years (and scholars of feminist movements particularly).As social movement scholars from the next two successive generations who have been influenced by Taylor’s concept, we couldn’t help but notice how most of us use the concept insubstantially. Our desires to honor this influential article, and commitment to understanding how abeyance has advanced conceptually over time, piqued our curiosity about citational practice generally. In this paper, we analyze Taylor’s abeyance citations in 136 articles from the six journals with the greatest concentration of citations. From our findings, we develop a typology of four modes of citation: gestural, explanatory, derogative and expansive. Analysis of citational relations as a set of practices, invites thinking about not the quantity of citations, as we’ve been disciplined to attend to, but the quality– the continuum of practices that range from hostile, superficial, generous and expansive. Awareness of dominant practices of citational relations is critical to self-reflection about the modes of intellectual work to which we have habituated. Our intention is that researchers, journal editorial boards and editors, reviewers, and students will read academic work differently with our typology and findings in mind, and be more thoughtful and purposeful about scholarly invocation.
TTW fosters theoretical dialogue, taking theory in a wide sense. We aim to maximize conversation. Papers, usually works in progress, are circulated prior to meetings, and all attendees are expected to come to the workshop having read the paper. Presenters typically provide only a 5-minute introduction and contextualization of the paper. Then two discussants (a graduate student and a faculty member) provide critical commentary, followed by open Q&A with all participants. Everyone is welcome, whether you see yourself as someone who works in theory or not, and whether you are new to the department or have been around for a long time.
Papers will be posted here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/05rvybxflki582zy6fe5d/AFflSZ4NRdpdHFKmtgi-sYA?rlkey=upxhsaxy1lgktgezvhtlvd2vn&dl=0