Public Humanities in Comparative Literature

Catalog description

The proseminar examines the public facing aspects of comparative literature studies. It analyzes the roles played by literary institutions, mass and alternative media, translation, and the materiality of cultural forms in the knowledge production of world and comparative literature. It critically evaluates old and new media in translingual and cross-cultural communication and knowledge production pertaining to global literatures and cultures. The course is also a practicum that invites students to apply their writing and critical analytical skills to engage in public cultural criticism. Students will undertake a series of research and writing projects in the forms of web publishing, podcasting, or organization of community cultural events to facilitate the transfer of academic knowledge to the public domain. Students will develop skills in public humanities through various internship opportunities including but not restricted to participating in the production of the journal "Comparative Literature Studies," which is housed in the Department of Comparative Literature. The various open-ended research and creative projects of this course will cultivate the research, writing, and analytical skills in multilingual and cross-cultural settings for undergraduate and graduate students.