DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE RESEARCH FOCUS 2005

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

RESEARCH FOCUS 2005 -2007 Research Focus: Identity and Marginality (specifically in South African literature, related to cultural identity) Strategic importance of our research: To contribute to the transformation and development of our communities, and to offer insight into the complex South African socio-political realities

1 a) San & Khoi oral tradition in SA Lit (VVuuren & John)

1 b) San & Khoi orality at the interface with South African literature (Van Vuuren, John).

2. Xhosa oral tradition, praise poetry, and its syncretic nature (Somniso)

3. Whiteness as a continued hegemonic force in post-apartheid writing, and how such hegemony operates (West)

4. Afrikaans, isi. Xhosa and South African English linguistic & literary texts which express marginalization, or address and reflect social conflicts in society

Research 2005: • • 6 accredited articles (Jeffery, John x 2, Koch&Kriel, Maqagi & West) 1 contribution to book (Van Vuuren) 1 D. Litt. theses & 5 MA dissertations 2 international conference papers (Kwatsha) & 1 national conference paper (Van Vuuren) 26 book reviews (academic based) (John & Van Vuuren) NRF grant (2005 -2007): Dr PH John (research associate) Thuthuka grant (2005 -2008): Dr S Goddard Dept of Arts & Culture award for drama: Prof BB Mkonto

RESEARCH CONTEXT & HISTORY 2005 -2007

RESEARCH 2006 • 9 accredited articles (John x 3, VVuuren x 2, Kriel, Kwatsha, West, Malan & VVuuren) • • 3 contributions to books (Mkonto, Kriel & VVuuren x 2) 3 D. Litt. theses & 6 MA dissertations 1 international conference paper (VVuuren), 6 national conference papers (Mkonto, Krielx 2, VVuuren, Somniso, West) & 9 international lectures (VVuuren) 20 book reviews (based on academic research) (VVuuren & John) • • • NRF grant (2005 -2007): Dr PH John (research associate) Thuthuka grant (2005 -2008): Dr S Goddard Award Dept Arts & Culture: Prof BBMkonto

Dr West (D. Litt) & Ms Botha (MA, cum laude) – graduated 2006, with supervisors Dr K Goddard & Prof v Vuuren

RESEARCH 2007 • 11 accredited articles (Botha&VVuuren x 4, Kwatsha, Smith, Somniso, Kwatsha, VVuuren, Vd. Spuy&VVuuren, West&VVuuren) • • • 3 contributions to books (Mkonto, Kriel, & VVuuren x 2) 4 D. Litt. theses & 5 MA dissertations 1 international conference paper (S Goddard), 5 national conference papers (Mqagi, Kwatsha x 2, Somniso, S Smith) • 9 book reviews (based on academic research) (VVuuren & John) • • NRF grant (2005 -2007): Dr PH John (research associate) Thuthuka grant (2005 -2008): Dr S Goddard

Postgraduate students & lecturers, National English Museum, Grahamstown, 2007

Outstanding aspects of research (a) • Increase in outputs: 2005: 6 accredited articles & 1 contribution to a book 2006: 9 accredited articles & 3 contributuions to books 2007: 11 accredited articles & 1 forthcoming book (March 2008) • NRF rating 2002 -2007: Two rated NRF human scientists – Dr John & Prof van Vuuren 2008 - 2013 One rated NRF human scientist – Prof van Vuuren ( Dr John did not apply again) • Thuthuka award 2005 -2007: Ms (now Dr) S Goddard • Faculty of Arts Researcher of 2007: Prof van Vuuren • Increase in Successful Postgraduate Candidates Throughput • Increase in high quality research: (Dr West’s thesis accepted for publication, Ford foundation bursary to Ms M Botha for best MA dissertation in Human Sciences at NMMU)

Outstanding aspects of research (b) • Interdisciplinary in nature, across languages, and across disciplines • Comparative literary framework • Texts read within cultural and sociopolitical context • Rethinking South African Literature = re-evaluation of the canon, including orality • Literary theory formation

Research collaboration • Departmental research collaboration: • Developing younger researchers & “growing our own timber” through targeted co-publication of M & D results (D. Litt: West & Vd Spuy, MA: Botha, Malan) • Focusing on South African literature as area of expertise, rather than disparate research topics for postgraduates & established researchers. • International research collaboration: • • University of Hasselt (Belgium) – Prof Luc Renders University of Amsterdam – Prof Ena Jansen University of Leiden – Dr Gitte Postel Prof Tony Voss – emeritus professor (UKZN)

Institutional & Community involvement • Honorary doctorates linked to the department: – Dr Athol Fugard, dramatist – Dr Antjie Krog, poet (2007) • Staff serving on national prestigious committees – SA Academy for Science and Arts (Literature Commission : Prof VVuuren & Language Commission: Prof Otto) – Eastern Cape Arts & Culture Council (Prof Mkonto) – English National Language Body (Mrs Maqagi)

Antjie Krog, honorary D. Litt. NMMU 2007

Research Associates • • Dr PH John (2001 -): Afr & Dutch Prof Luc Renders (2006 -): Afr & Dutch Prof AE Voss (2007 - ): English Prof SE Koch (2007 - ): ABLE Project leader Dr Gitte Postel (2008 -): Afr & Dutch Prof C Jeffery (2003 - ): English Dr BE Lewis (1997 - ): Classical Culture (now connected to French)