This week we will be looking at Kodwo Eshun’s ‘Further Considerations of Afrofuturism’. As a philosophical and aesthetic movement examining the effects of the African Diaspora through technoculture and science fiction, Afrofuturism is both historical and rebellious. Taking the long view of history, its authors imagine possible futures that stem from diasporic experiences. Eshun’s daring … Continue reading “Kodwo Eshun – ‘Further Considerations on Afrofuturism’ (23/7/19)”
Category: English Literature
Weekly Writing Sessions (Summer 2019)
Weekly Writing Sessions July-August 2019, University of Birmingham Centre for Digital Cultures Vicki Williams is organising a series of writing sessions throughout the summer, for PGRs in the Centre for Digital Cultures. The sessions will provide an informal setting to share and discuss ideas, whilst coming with set tasks and putting time aside for writing. … Continue reading “Weekly Writing Sessions (Summer 2019)”
Works Loved: How Texts Matter to Us (1:30pm, Wed 3 July)
In the latest of our regular ‘Works Loved’ sessions, we will each bring and read from and discuss a text that proved foundational to our research.
The Trouble With Wilderness (Wed 26 June, 2pm)
We continue reading William Cronon this week, with his short essay “The Trouble with Wilderness”. Cronon explores the historical “taming” of wilderness spaces.
Hierarchy (2pm, Wed 22 May)
We’re moving from heroes to hierarchies this week, discussing a chapter from Caroline Levine’s Forms.
Heroes and Epic (Wed 15 May 2019)
This week we’ll be thinking about heroes and epic, reading two texts as a starting-point: a short section from Dean Miller’s The Epic Hero and passages from Derek Walcott’s poem Omeros.
Presenting Your Research: Advice & Practice Session (2pm, Tue 21 May)
This afternoon event will provide advice on presenting your research, followed by an opportunity to practice this in a friendly and informal setting. The advice session (14:00-15:00) will include tips on writing and delivering conference papers, framing your research topic for a non-specialist audience, and responding to questions (eg at conferences or in progress panels). … Continue reading “Presenting Your Research: Advice & Practice Session (2pm, Tue 21 May)”
Works Loved: How Texts Matter To Us (27 March 2019)
Academia can often feel overwhelming, with multiple pressures competing for our time and headspace. This seminar is about remembering why we got into this business in the first place – namely, the ‘love’ (and we can discuss this term) we feel for the books, poems, and ideas that make up our discipline.
Milkman (Wed 20 March 2019, 2pm)
In a change from the usual format, this week our text is a novel: Milkman, by Anna Burns (2018).
Why Ecopoetry? (Wed 13 March, 2pm)
This week we are thinking about poetics and environmentalism, reading John Shoptaw’s essay ‘Why Ecopoetry?’ (2016). Many thanks to Miranda Jones for suggesting our text this week.