Literatures of the World Panel Q&A

Abstract

Concluding the Literatures of the World Panel, this Q&A features Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's response to the presentations and a question from the audience.

Literatures of the World: This panel engages from different locations the question of the pedagogical limits of the concept of World Literature, both in terms of classroom practice and theoretical understandings of literary traditions across the world. It asks as well: How might the phrase "literatures of the world" (rather than the pluralizing phrase "world literatures") work toward notions of literary commons? On what terms would such commons be envisioned as most productively countering the globalizing logics and poetics that have driven "world literature"?

Moderator: Paul Lyons Panelists: Hosam Aboul-Ela, Francesca Orsini, Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Craig Santos Perez