Hosts: School of Languages and Research Unit: Languages and Literature in the South African Context, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa

Venue: Sports Village, University of North-West (Potchefstroom Campus)

Dates: 10-13 June 2012

Convener: Prof. Hein Viljoen ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

In the wake of the after theory wave it is necessary to reconsider what theory in or of literature means and what it can contribute to our knowledge, both nationally and globally. New trends, like cognitive theory, mediality, trauma theory and digital humanities are emerging. Comparison of literatures and cultures is under scrutiny. The aim of the conference therefore is to take stock of the present state of literary theory and comparative literature (particularly in Africa and South Africa).

Topics include:

• Theory in/of/and Literature
• The modalities and vagaries of postclassical narratology
• Mindsets, scripts, frames: The cognitive turn
• Writing and understanding trauma
• Possibilities and limits of comparison
• Literary theory and the idea of Europe - Literature theory and the idea of Africa. Locations as ideas or geopolitical frames.

Confirmed plenary speaker: Prof. Peter Hühn, Interdisciplinary Center for Narratology, Hamburg.