Academic Conferences

Academic Conferences

The International Symposium on “Knowledge” Theory and the Research Model of German Literature was Held in SIS

date:2011-06-20

Jun.8,2011

On June 4, 2011, the international symposium on “Knowledge” theory and the research model of German Literature was held in Room 201, East Building 5, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University. Organized jointly by Institute of German Studies, SIS, ZJU, and Institute of Foreign Literature, BFSU (Beijiing Foreign Studies University), the symposium attracted a host of experts on literature studies from home and Germany. Professor WANG Bingjun, the vice president of the School of English and International Studies, BFSU, hosted the opening ceremony, and Professor FAN Jieping, the vice secretary-general of ZJU and president of Institute of German Studies, made welcome speech.

 

The symposium was dated back to 2005 when several famed scholars in the circle of German literature promoted and initiated a fancy idea of applying the research method in cultural anthropology into the study of German literature: Professor WANG Bingjun from Beijiing Foreign Studies University, Professor FAN Jieping from Zhejiang University, Professor FENG Yalin from Sichuan International Studies University, Professor WEI Maoping from Shanghai International Studies University and Professor WEI Yuqing from Fudan University. It aims to seek new research method from a unique Chinese standpoint, get close to the advantage of the international study of German literature and accomplish the internationalization of Chinese study of German literature and cultural anthropology.

 

Since 2005, five symposiums have been successfully held. Sichuan International Studies University hosted the first symposium with the theme “Wahrnehmung”. Then, Beijing Foreign Studies University held the second one titled “Medien”. Sichuan International Studies University and Shanghai International Studies University held another two, each exclusively focusing on “Kultur gedaechtnis” and “Ritual, Performantivitaet”. All of them were hosted by outstanding universities with particular fame for their studies of German literature, attracted many scholars who have long dedicated themselves in studying German literature and focused on the leading edge in this field. This year, the fifth symposium was held by Zhejiang University, indicating that the achievements made by our Institute of German Studies have been highly approved and supported. Moreover, the academic circle in Germany showed great interest in the symposium. Many scholars from Freie Universitaet Berlin and other German universities took an active part in the discussion. Scholars from home and abroad had a precious chance to combine the theoretical study of German literature with talent cultivation, facilitate the communication and exchange about the study trend, enrich the acceptance and heritage of German literature, promote the transmission and integration of German culture, build a platform for equal communication and mutual promotion among scholars around the world. 

 

The theme of this year’s symposium is Knowledge Theory and the Study of German Literature. Knowledge plays a decisive role in the progress of human civilization. During the historical process of studying the inner and outer world, human has established a series of mechanism concerning the production, processing, accumulation and transmission of knowledge and experience, with the help of institutionalization and media. On different stages, literature exerted contrasting function in this cultural web which never ended its construction and molding. It has been one indispensable part of the order of knowledge, differentiated from other discourse with its particularity. In consequence, the discussion on knowledge theory and the mode of literature study is very meaningful.

 

Several outstanding reports emerged in the symposium, including “Kognition–Emotion-Aktion: Versuch einer Inversion der Wissensordnung” given by Professor Fan Jieping, “Wissensproblem in Goethes Werther” given by Professor Wang Bingjun, “Von der Kunstautonomie zur literarischen Wissensvermittlung-am Beispiel Robert Musils” given by Professor Hans Feger (Freie Universitaet Berlin). The two-day symposium with plentiful contents,  provided a valuable chance for teachers and students majoring in German to get a close look at the front edge of the academic study. Every graduate and undergraduate present expressed their gratitude to the symposium for what they learnt. They all hope that more symposiums like this can be held in the future.

 

The symposium ended in the evening of June 5. The heavy rain outside could not shed any shadow upon the symposium. The discussion and exchange of knowledge achieved a great success.

 

(Translated by YANG Liu)

 

 

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