Dates: 4 - 7 December 2011
Venue:
The Westerly Centre
The University of Western Australia
Perth, Australia, 6009
Offers of Papers and Other Forms of Presentation invited
Papers (approximately 20 minutes, and in English) and panel presentations (approximately 10 minutes) on Literature and Culture in the Asia-Pacific region are welcome. Cross-cultural explorations are especially welcome, as are papers from postgraduate students.
Please send an expression of interest or offer of a paper plus a few sentences of biography as soon as possible, by email, fax or letter to the address given.
Theme
‘Asia-Pacific Literature and Culture in the Era of the Digital Revolution’
The world is currently experiencing a revolution in communication which many believe to be as significant as that occasioned by the invention of the printing press. That led to the spread of literacy, the breakdown of church and state power over writing and reading and consequently of accepted philosophies and sanctioned beliefs. It is easy to forget that at the time of Gutenberg’s invention, the reading of The Bible by the general population, in any language, was punishable in many European countries by death. The digital revolution affects Literature more than any other of the arts, and is creating dramatic changes in the publishing, distribution and reading of literature; some commentators believe that it will also change the writing of literature. These changes will go beyond the (very important) mechanical changes occasioned by electronic publishing, podcasting and reading via e-books, to changes in economic power relations, a possible further democratisation of literary practice and reception, the internationalisation of literary communities, shifts in personal and social identity, and perhaps a change in the nature of our thinking. The neuroscientist, Susan Greenfield has argued that the digital revolution may rewire our brains, and many neuroscientists now argue for the neuroplasticity of the human brain which would support such a view.
These issues have enormous significance for all literatures; this symposium seeks to investigate their implications specifically for the literature and culture of the Asia-Pacific – a broad range of literatures of differing languages, histories and contemporary strengths, with many nations trying to maintain distinctive cultures in a world of globalisation. Does the globalisation that goes hand in hand with the digital revolution herald easier publishing and reading or greater domination by major publishing houses? Does the digital revolution promise further democratisation of reading and writing or greater domination by developed countries and established institutions? Will the digital revolution encourage greater interaction among the literatures and cultures of the region? How will studies of the literatures of the region maintain any sense of the cultures’ distinctive identities? Will the idea of particular regions of the world itself disappear? Is English a help or a hindrance to the region?
Papers are invited on any aspect of these issues as they appear in literature, culture, society and politics of the Asia-Pacific.
Enquiries and Expressions of interest to:
Megan O’Connor or Dennis Haskell
Fax: (+61.8) 6488 1030
Email: meganoconnor@uwa.edu.au
The Asia-Pacific Writing Partnership (APWP) will also hold its AGM and a discussion on the teaching of creative writing in the region on 2-3 December. The APWP also seeks to hold writing and translation workshops at this time. Further details will be posted on http://apwriters.org/home/next-apwp-event-december-2011/ when available.
More information here.
Venue:
The Westerly Centre
The University of Western Australia
Perth, Australia, 6009
Offers of Papers and Other Forms of Presentation invited
Papers (approximately 20 minutes, and in English) and panel presentations (approximately 10 minutes) on Literature and Culture in the Asia-Pacific region are welcome. Cross-cultural explorations are especially welcome, as are papers from postgraduate students.
Please send an expression of interest or offer of a paper plus a few sentences of biography as soon as possible, by email, fax or letter to the address given.
Theme
‘Asia-Pacific Literature and Culture in the Era of the Digital Revolution’
The world is currently experiencing a revolution in communication which many believe to be as significant as that occasioned by the invention of the printing press. That led to the spread of literacy, the breakdown of church and state power over writing and reading and consequently of accepted philosophies and sanctioned beliefs. It is easy to forget that at the time of Gutenberg’s invention, the reading of The Bible by the general population, in any language, was punishable in many European countries by death. The digital revolution affects Literature more than any other of the arts, and is creating dramatic changes in the publishing, distribution and reading of literature; some commentators believe that it will also change the writing of literature. These changes will go beyond the (very important) mechanical changes occasioned by electronic publishing, podcasting and reading via e-books, to changes in economic power relations, a possible further democratisation of literary practice and reception, the internationalisation of literary communities, shifts in personal and social identity, and perhaps a change in the nature of our thinking. The neuroscientist, Susan Greenfield has argued that the digital revolution may rewire our brains, and many neuroscientists now argue for the neuroplasticity of the human brain which would support such a view.
These issues have enormous significance for all literatures; this symposium seeks to investigate their implications specifically for the literature and culture of the Asia-Pacific – a broad range of literatures of differing languages, histories and contemporary strengths, with many nations trying to maintain distinctive cultures in a world of globalisation. Does the globalisation that goes hand in hand with the digital revolution herald easier publishing and reading or greater domination by major publishing houses? Does the digital revolution promise further democratisation of reading and writing or greater domination by developed countries and established institutions? Will the digital revolution encourage greater interaction among the literatures and cultures of the region? How will studies of the literatures of the region maintain any sense of the cultures’ distinctive identities? Will the idea of particular regions of the world itself disappear? Is English a help or a hindrance to the region?
Papers are invited on any aspect of these issues as they appear in literature, culture, society and politics of the Asia-Pacific.
Enquiries and Expressions of interest to:
Megan O’Connor or Dennis Haskell
Fax: (+61.8) 6488 1030
Email: meganoconnor@uwa.edu.au
The Asia-Pacific Writing Partnership (APWP) will also hold its AGM and a discussion on the teaching of creative writing in the region on 2-3 December. The APWP also seeks to hold writing and translation workshops at this time. Further details will be posted on http://apwriters.org/home/next-apwp-event-december-2011/ when available.
More information here.
