In this new series for Page Breaks, we’ve asked other members of staff to bring in passages they’re puzzling over at the moment in their own research. We’ll be using the sessions for members of staff to discuss their work in its very first stages – when they’re still at the stage of asking questions … Continue reading “Page Breaks (29 Jan): ‘Dialogue between Old England and New’, with Peter Auger”
CTRG – Queerness and Disability (24th of Jan) & Schedule
It’s a New Year, and to usher in the times, Timothy the Octopus has put together a new schedule! Our first session will be on Theory relating to Queerness and Disability. However, we wanted to try something a little bit different for this session: instead of setting a text to read, we will be having … Continue reading “CTRG – Queerness and Disability (24th of Jan) & Schedule”
Works Loved: New Beginnings (Wed 15 Jan)
A new year, and a new theme for Works Loved. In our first session of 2020, we’ll share texts that explore fresh starts, new beginnings, and other kinds of reinvigoration. All types of texts are welcome – and as always, feel free to mix up the tone with a drastic ending! An extra challenge: accounts … Continue reading “Works Loved: New Beginnings (Wed 15 Jan)”
Works Loved: Festive Favourites (Wed 11 Dec)
For this festive edition of Works Loved, we’ll be sharing texts that explore festivities, celebrations, and other occasions that are – or should be – joyful. All types of texts, phrases, and festive figures are welcome, from Scrooge to Santa – or feel free to change the tone with a non-festive favourite. Reflections: We had … Continue reading “Works Loved: Festive Favourites (Wed 11 Dec)”
Teach Out – Uses of Theory: The Dirty Version (Dec 3rd)
To show solidarity with the UCU strike action over changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) and universities’ failure to make improvements on pay, equality, casualisation and workloads, the Contemporary Theory Reading Group will be running a Teach-Out on the 3rd of December at 3-4pm in the Bristol Pear. The reading for this week has … Continue reading “Teach Out – Uses of Theory: The Dirty Version (Dec 3rd)”
Teach Out: What is Literary Activism? (3pm, Mon 25 Nov)
On the first day of UCU industrial action at UoB, we’re taking Page Breaks to a teach out and discussing ‘literary activism’. Join us at the S’Oak, in Selly Oak, and see the full schedule of teach outs here: https://tinyurl.com/BUCUteachouts
Giovanni’s Room (Wed 20 Nov)
On 20 November, we’ll be reading a longer work than usual: James Baldwin’s 1956 novel Giovanni’s Room. Sometimes described as Baldwin’s most controversial fiction, Giovanni’s Room explores home, nationality and sexuality in the setting of postwar Paris.
Rey Chow – Sentimental Fabulations (Nov 19th)
This week we will be reading the ‘Introduction’ from Rey Chow’s Sentimental Fabulations, contemporary Chinese Films: Attachment in the Age of Global Visibility. In this piece of film criticism, Chow explores the Fifth Generation filmmakers of mainland China within the context of Western cinema. Drawing heavily on both the Taiwanese New Wave and Hong Kong … Continue reading “Rey Chow – Sentimental Fabulations (Nov 19th)”
Page Breaks: Opening Lines (Wed 13 Nov)
Stephen King is one of the authors whose work we encountered in our Halloween Works Loved session. This week we’ll discuss his advice on writing a compelling opening sentence. As you’re reading King’s suggestions and examples, you may also think of opening lines that have drawn you into a text – if so, please bring … Continue reading “Page Breaks: Opening Lines (Wed 13 Nov)”
New Reading Group: GOTHICA (5pm, Thu 7 Nov)
Launching with a first session on 7 November, GOTHICA is a new, interdisciplinary, postgraduate-led reading group interested in the ever-present role of the Gothic in popular fiction and culture.