The course introduces students into basic concepts of transnational literature as a framework for interpretation of rich literary corpuses created beyond borders of national literatures. In the world characterized by globalization and intense migration processes, cultural production based upon complex intercultural and multicultural exchange, as well as all kinds of linguistic and cultural translations, requires an approach which recognizes these specificities as a particular quality. The rise of the concept of world literature has offered an answer to the new situation created by globalization, but not specific enough to address complexities of the networks of new social and interpersonal relations established in the new world of mobility that was created through globalization and the new technologies. Recognizing that in between concepts of national literature and world literature there is a need for another point of view which recognizes both local and global, transnational perspective opens a particular perspective on contemporary literary and art scene, offering new tools to address these complexities. Together with introducing students into specific problems of transnational literary studies through analyses of selected theoretical texts, the course pays particular attention to exercises in reading. In this way, students can compare their previous reading experiences with those framed by transnational perspective. Thus, they expand further their interpretative skills and competences, and learn on concrete examples how the chosen theoretical framework affects reading and interpretation of any text.
- Instructor: Jasmina Lukic