International Workshop on Curriculum Development

Department of Comparative Literature
in collaboration with
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE ASSOCIATION OF INDIA (CLAI)
announces
International Workshop
on
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT FOR COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
SCOPE AND CHALLENGES

Dates: MARCH 25-26, 2010 (Thursday and Friday)
Venue: Conference Hall, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod

In our fast shrinking world, no student of literature can limit her/his pursuit of scholarship to a single literary culture. For sometime now, it has also been generally accepted that the range of inquiry of a true literary scholar must include comparative studies of expressions other than different literatures, such as fine arts, performing arts, film etc. Comparatists in our times give great importance to theoretical acumen and the ability to consider different arts and sciences concurrently.
The interdisciplinary nature of the field of Comparative Literature has led comparatists to show active interest in the areas of translation studies, sociology, critical theory, cultural studies, media studies, history and the like. As a result, designing the curriculum for Comparative Literature programmes within universities has become a major challenge. In principle, scholars drawn from several departments may develop such a curriculum. However, this eclecticism may lead to the charge that Comparative Literature is still ill-defined, or that comparatists can easily fall into dilettantism, because of the broad scope of their work. There are also apprehensions about this breadth affecting the ability of researchers in this area to find employment in the highly specialized environment of the academia and the career market at large.
While such questions loom large before us, nobody can overlook the significance of including Comparative Literature programmes as an essential component under the Humanities in our higher education centres. In view of these, the Department of Comparative Literature, Central University of Kerala, is organizing a two-day international workshop on the topic, “Curriculum Development for Comparative Literature: Scope and Challenges” on 25-26 March 2010 at Kasaragod.
The intensive workshop will feature 10-12 specially invited resource persons, who will make academic presentations on selected topics.
Dr. UR Anantha Murthy - Inaugural Address
Dr Amiya Dev: Guest of Honour
Dr. Ipshita Chanda (CL: Methodology and Challenges in the Indian context)
Dr. Dorothy Figieura (CL: Methodology and Challenges in the US context)
Dr. Sieghild Bogumil (CL: Methodology and Challenges in the European context)
Dr. Harish Trivedi (CL and World Literature)
Dr. AK Singh: Comparative Poetics in India
Dr. Chandra Mohan (CL and the Social Sciences)
Dr. Nirmal Kanti Bhattacharjee (CL and the Humanities)
Dr. MV Narayanan (Comparative Performance Studies)
Dr. Hema Nair (CL and Women's Writings)
Dr. Rizio B Yohannan (CL and Translation Studies)
Dr. Meena T Pillai (CL and Film Studies)

Ms. Mini Chandran of the OUP has agreed to be at the open forum. Due to some other engagements, Dr. K Satchidanadan is not able to participate, but he is our resource person for INDIAN LITERATURES, and has sent us points for discussion in this area. The workshop will conclude with a Kootiyattam performance by renowned artiste Margi Madhu.
This Workshop is conceived as the first in a series of academic initiatives to create a platform for active debate that would bring out creative suggestions and recommendations to make the best possible curricula for Comparative Literature programmes in Indian Universities. Apart from the discussions after the presentations, there will be an open forum in the evening of the second day of the workshop where other panelists will also participate in the discussions. We plan more of such explorations in the days to come.

Coordinators
Dr. Rizio B Yohannan: 09406192947
Dr. Prasad Pannian : 09446460202
Dr. Joseph Koyippally: 094956833616
Dr. Vellikkeel Raghavan: 08089746089

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