BACS Literature Group Symposium, University of Leeds (GB)
7th September 2015
Extended Deadline: 30th June 2015
Amidst an ongoing public finance crisis, scholars of Canadian literature often find themselves confronted by the need to work within a new “research capitalism” paradigm (Coleman and Kamboureli 2011). While certainly not unique to the humanities, the current drive to refashion knowledge-production in view of the new socio-economic and political realities has affected the development of critical pedagogies which challenge canonised views while “initiating ethical acts that have social justice and equity as modes of desire” (Miki 2011: 259). Do the revised financial, institutional and disciplinary agendas inevitably doom Canadian literary scholarship to embracing the proverbial “strategy of survival” (Sojka 2013: 16)? Or, could this moment be an opportunity for rethinking the parameters of our pedagogic practice and exploring “the unpredictable resources of the imagination, and the plethora of non-rational tensions and uncertainties that are operative in everyday intellection” (Miki 2011: 254)?
This one-day symposium of the BACS Literature Group seeks to address the above questions by providing a forum for discussion, analysis and reflection on current practices of teaching Canadian literature in the UK and beyond. We are hoping that this event will give us the opportunity to share and reflect upon our teaching experiences, methodologies and approaches to curriculum design in a cross-institutional and trans-national setting, with a view of making an important contribution to pedagogic discussions taking place in Canada. Proposals for 15-minute position papers, case studies or reflective pieces on the above questions are invited. Although not limited to the following, these might address:
- designing Canada-related modules and syllabi within a non-Canadian HE setting;
- developing alternative models of Canadian literature knowledge-production and pedagogic practice in and outside the HE classroom;
- making Canada matter outside Canada – comparative and trans-national approaches to teaching and learning;
- assessing the impact of “rhizomatic learning” (Cormier 2010), interdisciplinarity and the employability agenda on Canadian literary study;
- examining the role of Canadian Studies networks for the development of critical pedagogic practices.
The symposium is open to BACS members and non-members alike, and participants from any country are welcome, academic or professional background. Postgraduates and those with teaching experience in a non-academic context (e.g. arts organisations, schools, community groups, life-long learning, etc.) are particularly welcome. There is some funding available to help with the travel expenses of postgraduate / unwaged presenters.
Outline proposals for papers, reflective pieces, reports or case studies (250 words) and a short bio note should be sent to Dr Simone Lomartire and Dr Milena Marinkova at bacs2015symposium@gmail.com. Also welcome are alternative formats for presentation, such as workshops, roundtables or other dialogical arrangements (please note your suggested format on the proposal). Please submit your proposal no later than 30 June 2015. Extended versions of the papers will be uploaded on the BACS website in August.
