Print: Theories, Histories, and Futures

Comparative Literature Conference

February 23-25, 2023

University of South Carolina (Columbia)

This conference takes an inclusive approach to literatures and other disciplines from any linguistic or national tradition in order to generate broad discussions about theories, histories, and futures of print. Digitization continues to increase access to historical materials and to inform our teaching and research of literary texts. Along the way, digital methods and interfaces call new attention to features of printed works that can either be lost in the process or invite reflection on long histories of media revolutions. Work that considers the nature of the printed text from any critical approach are welcome.

Possible topics include but are not limited to the following 

Intersections: book history & digital humanities, critical theory & book history, global book history & comparative literature

Word and Image: engraving, etching, and illustration

Written media: inscription, manuscript, type, code

Typography: typefaces, italics, non-Roman scripts

Paratexts: notes, epigraphs, marginalia, title pages

Hypertexts: printed and/or digital

Digital projects: the use, creation, or analysis of databases or archives

The Page: page layout, the printed or digital page as generators of meaning

Reading Scenes: literary depictions of books, printed material, or reading

The conference will be hybrid, with in-person sessions held in the Hollings Special Collections Library on the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Virtual participants are welcome.

Please send a 250-word proposal to cpltconf@mailbox.sc.edu by Nov 18. To propose a full panel of 3-4 speakers, please send a 250-word proposal for the panel and individual proposals for each paper.