Organised and co-taught by Caroline Kögler (Freie Universität Berlin/EXC 2020), Research Area 4: "Literary Currencies" and Nina Tolksdorf (EXC 2020), Research Area 2: "Travelling Matters".

In cooperation with Jack Halberstam (Columbia University).

Building on Jack Halberstam’s recent work on 'collapse' and 'un/worlding,' this masterclass engages with the topic of 'collapse' as a manifestation of 'deep time.' Focusing on long time spans, we ask how these render visible or produce collapse, how exactly collapse can be read as a symptom of deep time, and how the nexus itself intersects with both human and non-human processes (from politically produced or framed to environmental processes). In relation to literary and cultural productions, we explore the aesthetics and the politics of deep time, and how they relate to the formation of communities. How do manifestations of deep time and/as collapse shape communities and their (identity) narratives?  What are aesthetics and politics that either produce collapse or accompany collapse? How does 'collapse' inform our thinking of community as well as of temporality, both locally and globally ('globally' both as in global politics and 'the globe')?

Programme

14 April, 10:00–12:00 | Preparatory Meeting with Nina Tolksdorf and Caroline Kögler

5 May, 9:00–18:00 | First Session taught by Nina Tolksdorf and Caroline Kögler (Jack Halberstam will be present)

19 May, 9:00 –18:00 | Second Session taught by Jack Halberstam

26 May, 9:00–16:30 | Third Session taught by Nina Tolksdorf and Caroline Kögler (Jack Halberstam will be present)