Questions

Scholars and graduate students attending “Reading Identity” should prepare responses to the following theoretical questions, which focus the conference on the central issues affecting minority scholarship today in ethnic studies, women’s studies, and lesbian, gay, and bisexual studies, as well as within traditional departments like English, Comparative Literature, History, Philosophy, and Anthropology.

Theoretical Questions

1. What is the social and political significance of literary analysis?
2. What is the epistemological relationship of literary analysis to pedagogy?
3. What is the role of literary analysis and pedagogy in the work for social justice?
4. Can moral universalism support literary analysis and pedagogy?

Following on the above, participants should consider these consequent social questions. We encourage scholars and graduate students entering the profession to clarify the social vision that informs their research and scholarship, reading and teaching.

Practical Questions

1. What conception of literary analysis and pedagogy would best support minority students, scholars, and their communities?
2. How can a progressive view of literary analysis and pedagogy serve minority studies programs, traditional departments, and diversity initiatives in the university?