[Discussion] arrived today, 11 July

[Paksoy, Hb]

Announcement of conference held tomorrow, July 12: The Imaginary Homeland: 
Has Commonwealth Literature Had its Day? 
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   The Imaginary Homeland: Has Commonwealth Literature Had its Day? 

   Location: United Kingdom 
   Conference Begins: 2002-07-12 (tomorrow!) 
   Date Submitted: 2002-07-02 
   Announcement ID: 130743 

   How has post-colonial theory and criticism developed, especially in 
   the light of globalisation and the changing nature of national 
   identity? Salmon Rushdie wrote a famous essay entitled "Commonwealth 
   Literature Does Not Exist", published in his collection of essays 
   "Imaginary Homelands". Though still used by a prestigous journal and 
   occasionally in other circumstances, the term "Commonwealth 
   Literature" has been largely displaced by the politically less 
   contentious though historically inaccurate "post-colonial writing", 
   with blander options such as "international literature in English" and 
   "Anglophone literature" occasionally prefered. But is this re-naming 
   of the brand nothing more than technological musical chairs? Does the 
   discipline exist at all? Does the uncertainty over the last forty 
   years about what to call itself betoken a lack of substance in the 
   concept itself? This conference asks whether the notion of a 
   post-colonial literature has imploded, too large and catchall, too 
   unfocused and too readily admitting any text within its purview. 

   This is very much a writer-focused conference, in which the 
   cross-currents between authors and their critics and readers will be 
   central. It will examine what it is like to be writing in Britain on 
   post-colonial themes or with that authorial label. For anyone 
   teaching, researching or writing in this field it is an opportunity to 
   look at fundamental questions concerning its future. 

   Sandra Willson 
   Cumberland Lodge 
   The Great Park 
   Windsor 
   Berkshire 
   SL4 2HP 
   ENGLAND 

   Email: sandra@cumberlandlodge.ac.uk 
   Visit the Conference website at http://www.cumberlandlodge.ac.uk