Global Literary Studies

This project is dedicated to working on the creation of a new major in Global Literary Studies, one which will be divisional in its scope, governance, and institutional roles. The group will also organize a symposium, "Global Literatures & Global Literacies: Teaching Texts, Old and New," which will be held on April 30, 2021. This symposium will advance the ongoing creation of a new literature major at UW in Global Literary Studies (GLITS). The planned meeting has two main goals. One is to provide an occasion for all of us at UW to get a better sense of what literature classes are currently being taught on our campus and what kinds of new courses faculty are developing or envisioning for the future. Specifically, the focus will be on undergraduate courses that look beyond national linguistic boundaries. Our emphasis on “global” literary studies implies a trans-regional, trans-historical, and/or trans-cultural orientation. We seek to be inclusive of non-metropolitan, minority languages and literatures, as well as Indigenous perspectives. Please note that our priorities also include the teaching of languages or writing in connection with the teaching of literature. The other goal of the symposium is to create an opportunity for networking and pedagogical cooperation among faculty members. Instructors in various departments and programs who teach literature may only rarely have a chance to interact with one another, and this meeting can bring them together to discuss shared interests. See the Call for Proposals.