Theory as World Literature Volume: Author(s) Jeffrey R. Di Leo (editor)

Theory as World Literature

 

The text you provided appears to be a description and table of contents for a scholarly book titled "Theory as World Literature." This book explores the intersection of literary theory and world literature, examining how theory can be understood as a form of world literature and how this perspective challenges traditional national categorizations of theory.

Key Themes and Concepts:

1. World Literature and Theory: The book interrogates what it means for theory to be regarded as world literature, suggesting that this perspective complicates and enriches our understanding of both fields.

2. Global Perspectives: The authors address the complexities of identity and nationality in the context of theory, emphasizing that being a theorist from different regions (such as Africa, America, or Asia) is as nuanced as the identities themselves.

3. Crossing Borders: The notion of "worlded" literature extends beyond national boundaries, incorporating individual narratives, mixed stories, and the influence of global publishing markets.

4. Interconnectedness: The collection highlights the interconnected nature of theory and literature through global literary networks, suggesting that theory has become increasingly relevant in a globalized context.

Table of Contents Overview:

• Introduction: Sets the stage for the discussions on theory as world literature.

• Part 1: Indigeneity, Decoloniality, and Race: Explores themes of race and decolonization in literature and theory.

• Part 2: Semiotics and Psychoanalysis: Discusses the contributions of semiotics and psychoanalysis to the understanding of world literature.

• Part 3: Realisms, Aesthetics, and Politics: Examines the relationship between realism, aesthetics, and political contexts in literature.

• Part 4: Phenomenology, Philology, and Plasticity: Investigates phenomenological and philological approaches to literature, along with the concept of plasticity in world literature.

Conclusion:

This volume appears to be a significant contribution to the fields of literary theory and world literature, providing a diverse range of perspectives on how these domains intersect and evolve in a global context. The discussions within the book aim to redefine the boundaries of theory and literature, making it a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in contemporary literary studies.

You

The first collection to consider what it means for theory to be considered as a species of world literature – and vice versa.

What does it mean for theory to be considered as a species of not just literature but world literature? This volume offers a wide range of accounts of how the “worlding” of literature both problematizes the national categorizing of theory (e.g., French theory), and brings new meanings and challenges to the coming together of theory and literature. In sum, it presents theory as world literature as a viable alternative to more commonplace approaches to theory.

Under such an approach to theory, what it means to be an African, American, or Asian “theorist” – let alone a French, German, or Spanish one – in the new millennium is as complicated (or simple) as what means to be “African,” “American,” or “Asian.” “Worlded” literature is not considered here as only the world literature of nations and nationalities. Rather, it is also the worlded literature of individuals crossing borders, mixing stories, and speaking in dialect. So too is it the worlded literature of the multinational corporate publishing industry wherein success in the global market is a major determinate of aesthetic and literary value.

Offering accounts of what it means to consider theory as world literature, the authors in this pioneering collection explore the ways in which we might regard theory as connected and reconnected through global literary networks of increasing complexity and precarity. By approaching theory from this perspective, Theory as World Literature demonstrates how and why theory is more worldly now than ever. Table of contents : Cover Contents List of Figures Acknowledgments Theory as World Literature: An Introduction Jeffrey R. Di Leo Part 1 Indigeneity, Decoloniality, and Race 1 Destructive Writing and Ending the World Claire Colebrook 2 Archipelagic Thought as World Literature: Glissant, Wynter, and Derrida’s Genres of the World Mina Karavanta 3 Countering Encounters: Theorizing the Scale of Globality Peter Hitchcock 4 Critical Race Theory: Counter-storytelling as Worlding Nicole Simek Part 2 Semiotics and Psychoanalysis 5 Umberto Eco and the World Literature of Semiotics Jeffrey R. Di Leo 6 Kristeva’s Sémanalyse as World Literature: From Chora and Revolution to Abjection and Revolt Paul Allen Miller 7 Psychoanalysis as World Literature Zahi Zalloua Part 3 Realisms, Aesthetics, and Politics 8 From the Magically Real to the Really Real: When Latin American Literature Became World Theory Sophia A. McClennen 9 Approaches to Realism: A Few Global Test Cases Margaret R. Higonnet 10 Literature as a Global Theory Alex Taek-Gwang Lee 11 Said’s Worldliness H. Aram Veeser Part 4 Phenomenology, Philology, and Plasticity 12 Levinas and World Literature Donald R. Wehrs 13 World Philology and World Theory Alexander Beecroft 14 Plastic “World” Literature Ranjan Ghosh Notes on Contributors Index

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The text you've shared provides a detailed overview of a scholarly collection titled "Theory as World Literature." This work aims to explore the relationship between literary theory and world literature, framing theory not just as a national or localized endeavor but as a global phenomenon that transcends borders and traditional categorizations.

Key Points from the Overview:

1. Concept of "Worlding" Literature: The book examines how the "worlding" of literature challenges the national categorization of theory, suggesting that theory itself can be viewed as a form of world literature. This perspective invites a rethinking of how we understand literary and theoretical contributions from various cultures and regions.

2. Complex Identities: The text highlights the complexities involved in identifying as a theorist from different geographical backgrounds (African, American, Asian, etc.). This complexity mirrors the challenges of defining identity in a globalized world, where cultural and literary influences intermingle.

3. Beyond National Boundaries: The notion of "worlded" literature extends beyond traditional national narratives to include individual experiences, cross-cultural exchanges, and the influence of global publishing dynamics. This approach recognizes the role of multinational corporations in shaping literary value in the global market.

4. Global Literary Networks: The authors contribute to a discussion on how theory can be interconnected through increasingly complex global literary networks. This interconnectedness emphasizes that theory is becoming more relevant and "worldly" in contemporary discourse.

Structure of the Book:

The collection is divided into four parts, each addressing different aspects of theory and literature:

• Part 1: Indigeneity, Decoloniality, and Race: Focuses on themes of race, decolonization, and how these concepts inform literary theory.

• Part 2: Semiotics and Psychoanalysis: Explores the contributions of semiotics and psychoanalysis to the understanding of literature as a global phenomenon.

• Part 3: Realisms, Aesthetics, and Politics: Examines the interplay between realism, aesthetics, and political contexts in literature, including the global implications of these interactions.

• Part 4: Phenomenology, Philology, and Plasticity: Investigates how phenomenological and philological approaches contribute to the understanding of world literature, along with discussions of plasticity in literature.

Conclusion:

"Theory as World Literature" presents a significant and timely exploration of how theory can be reconceptualized within a global framework. By addressing the intersections of identity, culture, and globalization, the collection offers valuable insights for scholars and students interested in literary studies, cultural theory, and global literature. The book serves as a platform for rethinking the boundaries of theory and literature in an increasingly interconnected world.