Paul Treanor's question regarding claim rights and the receipt of
knowledge is interesting. Answers or responses are potentially complex
in this area. 'Rights' are so difficult to police in this sense. And
they are also problematic when the terms we use are difficult to define
. I offer some supplementary questions on this.
What constitutes a piece of EU literature anyhow?
Surely, not only the 'nationality' of the author(s) define where that
literature is 'coming from' or the publishers. More likely I think the
habitus of the author.
Do EU students have a counter-right to be introduced to US literature?
Perhaps a content analysis of the work and the bibliography would reveal
more about the influences within?
I don't think that it is wise to begin regulating the literature - once
lecturers have texts (or typologies of texts) predefined for them we
begin to step into the realms of censorship. Conversely, it is true that
a continuing dominance of US literature could have a detrimental effect
on students - potentially narrowing their world view. Therefore in my
view, work to ensure that students have access or at least knowledge
of, a range of texts and other learning materials should be continued.
Obviously the internet and other technology based databases are
examples that are already helping in this respect.
Gavin Parker
Cheltenham
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