Burkean criticism, as practiced in rhetorical and communication studies, has seldom "descended" to the realm of the mundane, taken for granted activities with which we fill our lives. With few exceptions. e.g. Brummett, critics have preferred to investigate the symbolic worlds of literature and politics. Yet Burke himself always kept a close eye-and frequently commented upon-the everyday preoccupations that make up the fabric of cultural life. Recently cultural studies has focused critical attention on the ideological nature of everyday life practices, arguing that such mundane activities perpetuate hierarchies, structure identities and construct identifications among those who practice the rituals and consume the attendant commodities. In this realm, perhaps even more so than in the realm of public political discourse, cultural values and expectations are shaped and maintained. Lifestyle patternswhat we buy, eat. wear (or wish we could or vow that we will not)--articulate, support, and/or challenge the power structures of our cultural institutions.

Burke has much to offer the critic who seeks a perspective from which to critique the everyday life practices of a capitalist, commodity culture-U.S. style. Using everyday cultural practices as text and Burke's symbolic action as method allows the critic to uncover the process of creating consent and smoothing over dissent in the most routine and taken-for-granted activities of life.

Moderator (to be determined)

Presenters:

1. "Purification through Simplification: Cutting Down, Scaling Back Opting Out." Phyllis

M. Japp, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Debra K. Japp, St. Cloud State University.

Burke's concepts of purification, redemption and irony are ideal for analysis of the conversion narratives of voluntary simplicity, wherein penitents forsake the stressful lifestyles of urban professionals and testify that the 'good life' is one of communion with nature.

2. "Burke's 'Good Life" and the TV Food Network. Mark Meister, North Dakota State University.

Burke's vision of "the good life" offers insight into how current discourses about food reinforce cultural preoccupations with consumption, leisure and social hierarchy. Programming on the Food Network extols 'taste' in food consumption as a marker of social distinction and as the essence of "the good life."

3. "'Caring Enough' to Purchase a Sentiment: A Burkean Analysis of Greeting Cards." Diana Rehling, College of St. Benedict/St. Johns.

Burke's concept of identification provides a framework for analyzing the network of meaning surrounding representations of interpersonal relationships in purchased greeting cards. The commodified sentiments of greeting cards reinforce and perpetuate cultural ideologies of familial relationships.

4. "Technology as 'Representative Anecdote' in Popular Discourses of Health and Medicine." Lynn Harder. University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Phyllis M. Japp, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Burke's representative anecdote illuminates the melding of science, technology, and healing in popular discourses of health, establishing technological intervention as the norm and marginalizing non-technological, i.e. 'alternative' practices. Popular entertainment reinforces the anecdote in narratives of health as a commodity, available only through technology.