Interdisciplinary, Theoretical, and Critical Approaches (494-0-20)
Topic
Worlds of Literature
Instructors
Christopher Paul Bush
847/491-5493
1860 S. Campus Drive, Crowe Hall #2-135
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 3-410: Wed 3:00PM - 5:50PM
Overview of class
"World literature" has been one of the most influential and controversial ideas in literary studies in recent decades. Some champion it as a liberation from the provincialism of national and/or Euro-centric canons and methods. Others critique it as the cultural analog of imperialism and capitalist globalization, leveling diverse and incompatible oral and textual traditions into something recognizable as "literature" in a few "major" languages.
In this seminar we will read about a variety of ways of conceiving the "world" of world literature. After considering some of the most influential and canonical models in recent literary studies (Damrosch, Casanova), we will study a variety of alternative forms of literary world-building, such as Soviet internationalism, transnational Black solidarity movements of the early twentieth century, and script-worlds (such as the Sinosphere). Our readings will range from classic theoretical texts by Herder, Kant, and Marx to publications from the past two or three years (Nergis Ertürk, Madhumita Lahiri, Musab Younis), by way of such major contemporary critics and theorists as Emily Apter, Dipesh Chakrabarty, Pheng Cheah, Fredric Jameson, Lydia Liu Amir Mufti, and Roberto Schwarz.
Class Materials (Required)
All readings will be made available via Canvas.