Globalization and Fiction | UGC HRDC Refresher Course | Nagpur

 Globalization and Fiction 

| UGC HRDC Refresher Course | Nagpur

Abstract:

The video is a lecture on "Globalization and Fiction" delivered by Professor Dilip Barad. He has 26 years of teaching experience and is currently a professor at MK Bhavnagar University. He has conducted workshops on web tools for teaching and authored books and articles on literature and language learning. In his lecture, he talks about the relationship between globalization and postcolonialism and how they are interconnected. He also discusses the concept of globalization in a particular context and how it relates to climate change. The lecture includes a discussion about a meme related to the movie "Don't Look Up" and its connection to the impact of climate change on the rich and poor.

Detailed Summary:

The video titled "Globalization and Fiction" is part of a UGC HRDC Refresher Course in Nagpur, India, and features a talk by Professor Dilip Barad. Professor Barad has 26 years of teaching experience in different faculties and is currently a professor at MK Bhavnagar University in Gujarat. His interests are diverse and include computer-assisted language learning, the innovative use of ICT, teaching English literature and literary theories, and the use of web tools for teaching. He has conducted workshops on these topics in national and international conferences and has authored books and articles on various subjects.

In his talk, Professor Barad discusses globalization and its relationship to fiction. He notes that climate change is often discussed in connection with globalization, and although he will not focus on that relationship in this talk, it is an important consideration. He focuses instead on the idea of post-coloniality and how it relates to globalization. Specifically, he addresses the question of how we can locate the debate on post-colonialism in today's context, given that politically, colonies are no longer colonized.

To begin his talk, Professor Barad invites the audience to participate by commenting on a meme that he displays. The meme suggests that only a select few will be able to escape the earth in case of calamity, leaving the rest of the population to face the consequences of climate change. Participants offer their interpretations of the meme, with some suggesting that it represents the idea of the super-rich being able to escape the consequences of climate change.

Professor Barad then discusses the ways in which globalization has changed our understanding of post-colonialism. He notes that post-colonial critics have traditionally focused on issues such as cultural appropriation and representation. However, globalization has created new challenges and opportunities for post-colonial analysis. For example, he notes that the rise of the internet and social media has allowed for new forms of cultural exchange that can challenge traditional power structures. However, he also notes that globalization has created new forms of inequality and exploitation, particularly in the context of global capitalism.

In conclusion, Professor Barad argues that the relationship between globalization and fiction is complex and multifaceted. While globalization has created new opportunities for cultural exchange and has challenged traditional power structures, it has also created new forms of inequality and exploitation. He suggests that post-colonial analysis must take these new challenges into account and continue to evolve in response to changing global conditions.

Video Recording

Modern Theories of Criticism: An Overview

[Note: This presentation and video recording are of Prof. Dilip Barad's session in the Refresher Course for College / University teachers. The Refresher Course was organised by UGC-HRDC, University of Mumbai.]

Modern Literary Theory and Criticism refers to the examination and interpretation of literature using various theoretical frameworks that emerged in the 20th century. This approach encompasses diverse schools of thought such as Marxist, Feminist, Psychoanalytic, and Deconstructionist theory that offer a critical lens to analyze literary texts and reveal their deeper meanings and societal impact. The purpose of this introduction is to provide a comprehensive overview of the key concepts, influential figures, and historical developments in Modern Literary Theory and Criticism, highlighting its significance and impact in the field of literary studies.

Literary criticism, the evaluation and interpretation of literature, is an important aspect of literary studies. Over the years, various theories of criticism have emerged, each offering a unique perspective on the reading and interpretation of literature. This presentation outlines some of the major theories of criticism, starting from Matthew Arnold’s “A Study of Poetry” (1888) and T.S. Eliot’s “Tradition and Individual Talent” (1919) to the latest theories of digital humanities.

The earliest theories of criticism include the works of I.A. Richards, who presented the practical criticism approach in his book “Practical Criticism” (1929). William Empson’s “Seven Types of Ambiguity” (1930) also played a significant role in the development of criticism. Later, William K. Wimsatt and Monroe Beardsley introduced the concepts of intentional and affective fallacies in their work.

In the 1930s, Allen Tate introduced the theory of “tension” in poetry, which dealt with the extension (literal meaning) and intension (metaphorical meaning) of a text. Cleanth Brooks, in his works “The Language of Paradox, The Well Wrought Urn” (1947) and “Modern Poetry and the Tradition” (1939), focused on the language of paradox in poetry.

Archetypal criticism, which is concerned with the study of archetypes and symbols in literature, was developed by Maud Bodkin (1934) and Northrop Frye (1940-50). Frye’s theory of the mythos grid, which outlines the universal themes and patterns in literature, is an important contribution to the field of archetypal criticism.

In the latter half of the 20th century, structuralism and semiotics gave rise to stylistics, which deals with the study of style in literature. Deconstruction and poststructuralism, as propounded by Jacques Derrida, also had a major impact on the field of criticism. 

Eco-criticism, which looks at the relationship between literature and the environment, and eco-feminism, which critiques the patriarchal values embedded in society, also gained prominence.

Postcolonialism, which deals with the study of the cultural, political and economic effects of colonialism, was developed by thinkers like Edward Said, Gayatri Spivak, and Homi Bhabha. In recent times, the focus has shifted to globalization and climate change, which has given rise to contemporary theories of cultural studies.

Digital Humanities, a field that uses technology to analyze and process literary texts, has also emerged as a significant area of study. The rise of generative literature, where texts are produced by computers, has raised new challenges for critics. The principles and processes of generative literature have been outlined by Jean-Pierre Balpe. The use of AI in digital humanities has raised questions about unconscious bias and the morality of robots, which require further study.

In conclusion, the field of criticism has undergone several transformations over the years, each adding to our understanding of literature. From the earliest works of Arnold and Eliot to the latest theories of digital humanities, the field has constantly evolved to keep pace with changing times. The new challenges posed by AI and the increasing influence of technology on the field only serve to emphasize the ongoing relevance of criticism in our rapidly changing world.

Presentation:

Video Recording of the Session:

Pleasure of Dissecting the Text

MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY

(University with Potential for Excellence)

Re-accredited by NAAC with A++ in the 4th cycle

MADURAI - 625 021

Refresher Course  in English on the theme of Pleasure of Dissecting the Text: The Poetics of Literary Theories and Criticism in English

The Past, the Present and the Future of Dissecting Literary Texts: From Moral Philosophical Approach to Digital Humanities