Assistant Professor Mohammad Aljayyousi, Philadelphia University Amman, Department of English Language and Literature, is a visiting scholar at the CCeH from October 2017 to March 2018. His stay is funded by the DAAD. During his time at Cologne University, Mr. Aljayyousi will contribute to the CCeH’s work in the field of literary studies and widen his own skills in Digital Humanities. In particular, he will work on his own research project “iNovel”. Dr. Aljayyousi is going to present and openly discuss his research at a public lecture on …
iCriticism:
An Interactive, Innovative and Inter-medial Approach to Literature
Wednesday, November, 15th, 15:00
CCeH – Meeting Room (Universitätsstr. 22)
All are welcome …
Abstract
iCriticism: An Interactive, Innovative and Inter-medial Approach to Literature.
The presentation will introduce a new approach, to the study of literature in the digital age tentatively called, iCriticism. Broadly speaking, iCriticism is a response to the fact that reading now takes place in an ecosystem of devices including both print and digital, and it starts from the belief that the computer is a unique invention which is adaptable to a wide variety of uses. Within literary studies, the computer can be used in a humanistic way to best serve the purposes of the field. Some main principles of the approach that will be elaborated on in the presentation include the following:
- Texts are multi-dimensional and heterogeneous and the relation among their various dimensions, codes of significance, or levels is not heuristic.
- The algorithmic, dynamic nature of traditional texts.
- Rejection of formal logic and the CRUM (Computational-Representational Understanding of Mind) paradigm as the only option.
- Material conditions, including textuality, are created in the space between physical and non-physical (human) factors.
- Digitizing texts is a process of translation / rewriting that can result in pedagogical tools.
- The computer technology can introduce fun and increase the engagement of students through attention to experiential aspects, and the multiple roles that the student can play: user-player-learner-reader-writer.