James V. Wertsch

Professor and Chair Department of Education James V Wertsch

This special issue of Mind, Culture, and Activity revisits Rommetveit's ideas in admiration for his quest to understand meaning, language, and mind. It also reflects the inspiration he has provided for those struggling with these issues. Written by those studying Rommetveit and one by Rommetveit himself, all three articles are attempts to spell out, extend, and apply ideas that Rommetveit outlined in his writings at some point early in his career. Rommetveit, however has moved ahead in his struggle to understand the ethical dimensions of communication--including the communication involved in the study of communication--which represents his newest project.

His Work and Influence:a Special Issue of Mind, Culture, and Activity

Ragnar Rommetveit

There is currently a great deal of discussion in the humanities and social sciences about collective memory, but there is very little agreement on what it is. The first goal of this volume is to review various understandings of this term to bring some coherence to the discussion. Drawing on this review, James V. Wertsch goes on to outline a particular version of collective remembering grounded in the use of 'textual resources', especially narratives. This takes him into the special properties of narrative that shape this process and into the issues of how these textual resources are produced and consumed. Wertsch brings these general ideas to life by examining the rapid, massive transformation of collective memory during the transition from Soviet to post-Soviet Russia.

Professor and Chair Department of Education James V Wertsch

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