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The Center for Cognitive Literary Studies

Spring 2012

The Center for Cognitive Literary Studies' next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 21st.  See the calendar of events for details.

 

Also, Dr. Isabel Jaen-Portillo of Portland State University will speak on Friday, March 30th. Her talk will be "Cognition and Gender in Early Modern Spanish Narrative: Zayas' Amorous and Exemplary Novels." See the calendar of events for more details.

Cognitive and Scientific Literary Theory at Purdue

The Center for Cognitive Literary Studies is a multi-departmental coalition dedicated to an interdisciplinary approach to the study of literature. Drawing on discourses in the sciences and the humanities, the Center promotes and develops research that explores not only an empirical understanding of the mind as found in Psychology, Biology, Neuroscience, and Information Theory, but also its theoretical development in Philosophy, and its representation in Literature, and the discursive relationship between all of the "kinds of minds." The Center also encourages other scientific, quantitative, and consilient approaches to literary theory, including, but not limited to, evolutionary and anthropological approaches.

At Purdue, the Center is seeking to become an interdisciplinary program that provides both an organizing structure within and across existing departments and courses at Purdue, as well as offering its own unique courses specifically dedicated to the study of cognitive literary theory. In the near future, the Center will offer an undergraduate level, year-long, introductory course in Cognitive Theory, as well as a graduate level seminar.

Additionally, the Center will be inviting and hosting speakers from a variety of related fields. These speakers will be from both the extended national and international academic community, as well as from within Purdue's own flourishing program. The Calendar of Events is frequently updated, so be sure to check back often to keep informed of upcoming Center-sponsored events.

For faculty and students at Purdue who would like to be kept informed about upcoming Center events, information on how to join our new local listserve can be found here: https://lists.purdue.edu/mailman/listinfo/coglitall

(Co)Ignition is the steering committee behind the development and progression of the Center's goals and programs, and holds regular meetings that are open to the public in order to encourage and promote the study of cognition and literature. Check the (Co)Ignition page for further information on upcoming meetings, reading selections, and other related events!

The Center also welcomes feedback from visitors to the site. Tell us what you thought was useful, what wasn't helpful, and what you would like to see in the future.