Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221005
Department of English
Mahila Mahavidyalaya
Organizes
National Workshop
On
THE POLITICS OF POST:
THEORY, LITERATURE AND CULTURE
(25-31 March 2017)
Concept Note:
Theory has radically transformed the nature of Literary Studies by incorporating the trajectories of Social
Sciences and Culture Studies. Despite the existing debates over the usage of theory and interdisciplinarity,
the discourse of history propounded by Michel Foucault and Hayden White, anthropology of Levi-Strauss
and Roland Barthes, sociological approach of Ulrich Beck, philosophy of Jacques Derrida and Jean
Baudrillard, and so many others have provoked new dimensions in the creative-constative discourse of
literature. However, the intersection of such diverse theoretico-critical formulations shall not transgress
mildly, and brings a need to challenge and (re)position their prerogatives within and beyond the given
boundaries of the discipline.
The nature, existence, relevance and usage of theories in the current research in literary and culture studies
abound references to considerable changes, revisions, and debates in theories that occurred in the last one
and half decades of the twentieth century. Moreover, the usage of theory in the immediate discourse of
literature, culture and society vibes a mode of thinking and reason that radically questions, transforms,
theorizes, and revolutionizes the “essential” and “fundamental” conditions of unquestioned foundations,
conventions, and legitimatizations of a given institutional tradition, discipline, and episteme. However, the
in(ter)vention of theory in the humanities is not expected to be a mechanical application of a set of rules,
methods, procedures and assumptions to every “text” of literature and culture. Unfortunately, theory in the
humanities in general and Literary Studies in particular is largely limited to borrowing of a set of concepts
from a particular approach and to substantiate them with textual evidence from the select text(s) in the
name of exposing the logo-, phallo-, ethno-, Euro-, and West-centric epistemic and epistemological
hegemony. Such studies end up in a mechanical, repetitive and passive exercise that, in the words of J.M.
George, fail “to move from received frames to textual facts,” and therefore also fail in “creatively utilizing
the hermeneutic possibilities of texts.” Literary Studies needs a critical collaborative approach of what
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theory can do to literature and what literature can do to theory. This is what Derrida has done in
philosophy and literature.
Some critics consider theory as impostures veiled under “decentring of the subject,” “sterile relativism,”
“undifferentiated textuality” and such other notions that deny human agency, universality of ethics and
value, and undermine all knowledge and truth-claims. They believe that the lack of genuine substance
and political purpose has directed to proclamation of the “end” or “death” of theory. Alan Sokal and Jean
Bricmont argue that the claims of “theory” are “postmodern intellectuals’s abuse of science” in the
“strong programme” of the sociology of science that emphasizes “cognitive relativism” (the notion that
everything is “myth,” “narration,” and “social construction” which have no “objective truths” but only
local beliefs and interpretations). Such claims necessitate a reflection on the very notion of theory and the
very conditions of reflections themselves.
The contemplation over the notion of theory and conditions of reflection have provoked some critics and
philosophers to propagate the idea of “after theory,” “theory after theory” and “post-theory” to stress
contemporary needs, situations and reality. The emphasis on empiricity in post-theoretical age does not
mean emancipation from the theoretical understanding of the discourse; rather it asserts a creative and
progressive blurring of the established frontiers of different discourses. The post-theoretical age is not an
a-theoretical age. The “post” refers to the double-bind of theory: a break and a continuation in/of theory;
it is after and according to theory. It constantly questions and displaces itself in order to address the
Other. As D. Venkat Rao suggests, on the one side, the Euro-Western theoretical discourse “tears apart
the native from his/her epistemic and epistemological, affective-praxial experience” and distances one
from “the reflective-imaginative spheres of one’s existence” because the sustained colonial violence
created “cognitive-imaginative destitution” in those cultures that faced colonialism. On the other, the
attempt to assert, philosophize and theorize the local episteme leads in a way into the trap of EuroWestern spirit of universalization and conceptualization. In this regard, the idea of “post” in theory brings
theory in and outside Euro-Western episteme embodying a messianic promise. For instance, the
application of Euro-Western episteme to non-First World or South Asian culture and literature – cultures
of memory, oral literature, Dalit and Tribal literature, etc. – presents both a crisis regarding its
unsuitability and a complement for its critical impetus to the local cultural differences. Thus, the
workshop opens opportunities and possibilities to discuss and debate the contemporary intellectual trends
in and comprehensive panorama of the usage, roles, impacts and implications of “theory” into such posttheoretical terrains, but not limited to:
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Post-theory / Theory after Theory (Knowledge, Truth, History, Realism after Theory)
Comparative Studies
Representation and Identity (Gender and Ethnicity after Theory)
Cultures of Memory in India and South Asia (Cultural Difference, India Studies, Indology, Colonial
Consciousness, Cultural Formations, Orality and Performing Traditions/Oral and Folk literatures)
 Indian Shastric/Philosophical Traditions
 Post-foundation Ethics and Value (Ethics and Value after Theory)
 Bio-Politics and Ethics (Disability Studies, Animal Studies, Eco Studies, Refugee Studies after Theory)
 Postmodernism and Postcolonialism (Literature and Cinema Studies vis-á-vis Post-Theory)
 Culture Studies in India (Dalit / Tribal Literature & Culture and Post-Theory)
 Future of Theory and its Relevance
(Programme details and recommended readings for each Unit, Session and Day will be updated
later.)
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Collaborative Activities:
Performance of a screenplay, Love in the Post: From Plato to Derrida*. Creative/Reflective Sessions and
Poetico-performative Events composed largely with non-theoretical and non-discursive world-view on
the above sub-themes by MMV students to provide diverse perspectives. Students are requested to see
English Section Notice Board for details. (*The authors and producers, Joanna Callaghan & Martin McQuillan, have permitted
its performance.)
Aims and Objectives:
This Workshop on Post in theory outlines the concept, issues, principles, terms, statements, formulations
that mark a paradigm shift in the experimental dynamism of literary and culture studies. It aims to
improve critical readings and contextualization, and helps one with and without a theoretical approach.
The Workshop opens new dimension of opinions and ideas about literary and cultural texts. It aims to
take enjoyment and appreciation of “texts” to the next stage and develop ideas into coherent, backed-up
analytical arguments and to have technical terms demystified. It offers a chance to deliberate on
theoretical positions and textual evidence through group reading and discussion in a supportive
environment. In short, this Workshop enables participants to:
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Understand different theories and its role in literary and culture studies
Read, contextualize, and compare different theorists
Develop critical and collaborative reading
Apply theory when analysing literary and cultural texts
Enhance their understanding and enjoyment of literary texts
Distinguish between opinions, appreciations and analysis
Develop their ideas into a coherent, theoretically-engaged piece
Develop confidence in individual theoretico-critical research writing
Workshop Methods:
The most usual method will be classroom exposition by the tutor, followed by extensive
discussion. Reading material will be provided in advance to the selected participants. Small group
work may also be used. In short, this Workshop will have following methods:
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Introductory lecture, outlining key ideas within each unit
Intensive explication of an area of the given formulation/approach in each unit
Extensive study of select primary and theoretical “texts”
Description of required reading and recommended reading
Presentation of paper by the participants (minimum time: 30 minutes to each
participant for presentation and discussion)
Submission of paper at least 4 days before the scheduled presentation is compulsory
Respondent’s feedback and assessment to the presentation
Peer-group’s assessment and feedback
Power Point, handout, audio/visual, discussion and personal experimentation
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Workshop Outcomes:
A sincere and active participation throughout the Workshop will enable the participants to
understand:
 Relevant critical and theoretical concepts to enhance understanding of texts
 Relevant critical debates and themes in and about contemporary theory, literature and culture
 To formulate a theoretico-critical approach to participants’s research in relation to cultural and
critical contexts
 Participants own research and make theoretical choices accordingly
 Application of theoretical methods in participants’s research projects
 Confidence in participants’ ability as researchers through the discovery and development of their
own unique extrinsic and intrinsic relationship in texts
Organizational Details:
Study material will be made available to the participants after their
registration, and they are expected to go through the material before the commencement of the
Workshop. In addition, each participant is required to make at least one formal presentation. Both faculty
and participants are expected to stay together in the same venue for greater interaction and discussion
between them. To get the certificate, full attendance is compulsory.
Participation Criteria:
Participation in the Workshop is mainly open to Research Scholars in
the humanities and social sciences, preferably those working toward research degree, but Teachers and
Postgraduate Students and Scholars from the disciplines outside the humanities and social sciences
interested in interdisciplinary studies can also apply. A 750 – 1000 word essay on why you need to attend
this Workshop should be submitted along with the application. The total number of participants’s intake
is 40.
Non-Refundable Registration Fee:
Research Scholars and Teachers are requested to pay
Rs.2,500 (Rupees two thousand five hundred only) and PG Students Rs 2,000 (Rupees two thousand
only) through Online Payment / Bank Cheque / Demand Draft (details of Bank Account will be mailed to
the selected participants) towards the Workshop. Two Postgraduate student-applicants of the Department
of English at the main campus and the affiliated colleges, BHU, Varanasi, will be permitted to participate
without any charge.
Deadline for Application:
The last date for receiving application is 20 February 2017. For
submitting application and queries mail to: [email protected]
Food, Accommodation and Travel: Tea and biscuits will be provided during breaks. Lunch
will be provided at 1.30 pm. Participants have to make their own arrangement for travel. There will be a
limited arrangement of accommodation on sharing basis, which will be provided on first come first serve
basis; the details and status will be updated later.
Workshop Venue: Conference Hall, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, BHU, Varanasi
Publication: The Workshop’s select papers will be published in an edited anthology, Post-Theory:
Literature, Culture and Society, by an international publication. Correspondence with Cambridge
Scholars Publishing, UK, is in process.
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Workshop Speakers*
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Session/Area/Theme
Amith Kumar P.V.
Dept. of Comparative Literature and India Studies
Key-note on Post-theory; & a
Anita Singh
Department of English
EFL University, Hyderabad
Badri Narayan
BHU, Varanasi
G.B. Pant Social Science Institute,
Allahabad
D. Venkat Rao
Department of English Literature
Geetanjali Joshi Mishra
Department of English
Hariom Singh
Department of English
Kishan Thingbaijam
Department of English
M.S. Pandey
Department of English
Mahesh Sharma
Department of Arts and Humanities
Makarand R. Paranjape
EFL University, Hyderabad
Amity University, Lucknow
Gov. Degree College, Banda
Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
BHU, Varanasi
Modi University, Jaipur
Centre for English Studies
JNU, New Delhi
N. Rama Devi
Dept. of Indian and World Literatures
Prakash Kona
Department of English Literature
Ranu Uniyal
Department of English
S. Bandopadhaya
Department of English (MMV)
Sachidanand Mishra
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Sanjay Kumar
Department of English
Sarannya V. Pillai
Department of English
Shipra Tholia
Department of German Studies
Shreesha Udupa
Suchitra Mathur
Sunil Kumar
EFL University, Hyderabad
EFL University, Hyderabad
Lucknow University, Lucknow
BHU, Varanasi
BHU, Varanasi
BHU, Varanasi
Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
BHU, Varanasi
EFL University, Hyderabad (erstwhile)
School of Humanities
IIT, Kanpur
EFL University, Hyderabad (erstwhile)
* More speakers to join
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Session on Comparative Studies
Gender Studies & Culture
Dalit and Tribal Literature
Cultures of Memory in South
Asia
--Gender Studies & Literature
Cultures of Memory
Multiculturalism and
Globalizaion
Post-foundation Ethics
Literature & Culture vis-á-vis
Post-theory
Postcolonialism and Ethics
Valedictory address & a
Session
Women’s Writing and
Postcolonial Literature
Refugee Studies
Indian Philosophy and Sanskrit
Literature
Oral and Folk Narratives
Eco-criticism
Graphic Fiction
Cultures of Memory
Gender Studies & Cinema
Postmodernism and
Contemporary Fiction
Format for the Application
i. Full Name:
ii. Sex:
iii. Address (including telephone and email id):
iv. Nationality:
v. Institutional affiliations:
vi. Department:
vii. Academic qualification:
viii. Presently pursuing any course or present occupation/position:
ix. Publications, if there (mention the best three & enclose a sample copy/script):
x. Specific research area/topic (if any):
xi. Broad area/topic of your presentation in the Workshop:
xii. Your current state of health (If you have any special requirements, please give details):
xiii. Currently under any medical treatment (If YES, please give details, medication, etc.):
xiv. Do you need accommodation (the facility is limited):
xv. Name and institutional address of a referee (optional):
xvi. Name, address, email, telephone number, and relationship to you of a person you wish to be
contacted in the case of an accident or emergency:
xvii. Please explain in 750 - 1,000 words why you wish to attend this Workshop, and give
some indication of your reading in relevant subjects and current research:
Note: There is no arrangement for participant’s accompanying person at the Workshop Venue.
Chief-Patron
Patrons
Prof. G.C. Tripathi
Prof. S.S. Kaushik
Prof. M.S. Pandey
Vice Chancellor
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi – 221005
Principal
Mahila Mahavidyalaya
BHU, Varanasi
Head
Department of English
BHU, Varanasi
Convener
Organizing Secretary
Treasurer
Dr. N.R. Mahanta
Dr. Pravin K. Patel
Dr. Amar Singh
Assistant Professor
Department of English (MMV)
BHU, Varanasi
Mob. +91-9451894985
Assistant Professor
Department of English (MMV)
BHU, Varanasi
Mob. +91-9554796662
Assistant Professor
Department of English (MMV)
BHU, Varanasi
Mob. +91-9454950123
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