Inaugural International Symposium on Social Justice and the Teaching of World Literature
San Antonio, Texas
Organization: University of the Incarnate Word
Inaugural International Symposium on
Social Justice and the Teaching of World Literature
October 12, 2024
San Antonio, TX
Submission Deadline (extended): June 15, 2024
Name of Organization: Department of English, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
Contact Email: malam@uiwtx.edu
The English Department at the University of the Incarnate Word welcomes presentation proposals for its inaugural international interdisciplinary symposium on “Social Justice and the Teaching of World Literature.” The study and teaching of global texts actively allows for an inclusive representation of diverse voices and perspectives. This symposium seeks to explore more deeply the intersection between teaching world literature and social justice issues as they emerge in the 21st century.
We aim to facilitate a broader interdisciplinary discussion about social justice and global texts. Therefore, we invite submissions from any discipline or researcher where international literary texts are being used to shape understandings of social justice. Such disciplines may include, but are not limited to: English, Creative Writing, Education, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Modern Languages, History, Art, Art History, Composition and Rhetoric, Sociology, Political Science, Business, Health Professions, etc.
Possible questions to explore:
· How does the teaching of world literature facilitate social justice? What pedagogical lenses facilitate the teaching of social justice in a world literature class?
· How can we (re)define world literature in terms of teaching and promoting the values of social justice?
· How do the different disciplines within the humanities and beyond integrate global literary texts in the teaching of social justice?
· How does a diverse classroom challenge and shape our approaches to teaching social justice and/or world literature?
· What disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches in teaching world literature do we notice in English departments in the United States and beyond?
· How is social justice defined and incorporated into reading and writing assignments in Composition and Rhetoric classes?
· How can the teaching of world literary texts address current issues related to gender?
· In what ways can the teaching of world literature generate critical discussions on environmental justice and global sustainability?
· How can the teaching of creative writing foster empathy, promote marginalized voices, and advance social justice within diverse communities?
Types of Presentations:
• Podium Presentation: 15 minutes each
• Pedagogical Roundtable on specific topics (i.e., faculty presentations on pedagogical case study or a teaching experience; student presentations about engaging with world literature and related social justice topics in the classroom or beyond). Participants may submit proposals individually or as a panel.
A. Individual Participant (7 to 8 minutes)
B. Panel (not exceeding 45 minutes)
All presentations are in person.
Registration: No registration fees are required for this inaugural symposium. Presenters/participants will need to arrange their own accommodation and transportation.
Please use the link below to submit your proposal no later than June 15, 2024. You will need to include the title of your presentation, a 300-word abstract, and a 100-word bio. Please note that panel proposals for roundtables will require a bio for each speaker.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=CdMlBrzFIEGYKOo9cHGvGYZy4toLeqtGmSO8a4I4qYxUNTdYT0dMNldTT0o5SjUxU1NOS1BDSDhTTi4u
For general enquiries, please contact Dr. Muhammad Manzur Alam at malam@uiwtx.edu
Accepted presentations will be considered for inclusion in a proposed book on “Social Justice and the Teaching of World Literature.”
Dr. Muhammad Manzur Alam