Description

“Universalism or What? The Turn Away Circa 1950”: a historical investigation into the post-war turn against universalism in literary studies. The objects of discussion will be several important statements in literary criticism read in the context of their historical moment.

The “Classes of Excellence” build on ideas first explored in Prof. Greene’s inaugural lecture (Registration via https://event.ugent.be/registration/GreeneFrancquiBelvedere), and will further plumb the many dimensions and consequences of universalism, its rise, and its fall, exploring along the way the present and future of literary studies broadly conceived: what it can do, what it should do, and how literary criticism might serve many diverse audiences in the twenty-first century. 

Each session will last about two hours and will include some readings and a seminar-style conversation with professor Greene; PhD students, postdocs, and lecturers are welcome to participate in all four sessions.

You can register for Class of Excellence #2, UC Louvain: “Universalism or What? The Politics of Literary Studies,” here: https://www.uclouvain.be/en/uclouvain_content/20375 

You can register for Class of Excellence #3, VUB: “Universalism or What? Who Writes? Who Reads?," here: https://events.vub.be/class-of-excellence-with-prof-roland-greene 

You can register for Class of Excellence #4, KULeuven: “Universalism or What? New Publics for Literature,” here: https://event.ugent.be/registration/CoE4