From December 10 to 11, "Western Literary Theory in the Comparative between China and the West” International Academic Symposium, was held at Shandong University in Jinan, hosted by the Center for Literary Theory and Aesthetics of Shandong University. The aim of the symposium was to provide an opportunity for Chinese and Western scholars to exchange ideas on Western literary theory in a comparative horizon between China and the West. SDU Vice-President Chen Yan and Director of SDU Center for Literary Theory and Aesthetics Zeng Fanren presented speeches at the opening ceremony.

During the ceremony, Chen Yan delivered a speech to experts and scholars on the disciplinary institutions and development plans of Shandong University. Zeng Fanren discussed the goal and significance of the symposium. Zheng Chun, Professor of School of Literature and Journalism of SDU gave a warm welcome to the attending experts and scholars.

More than 50 experts and scholars from US, Australia, Finland, Singapore, Chinese mainland, and Macao presented at the conference which lasted for two days. They launched a series of lively discussions surrounding the themes such as "The Historical Stages and Development Contexts of Western Literary Theory ", " The Value and Significance of Western Literary Theory", " Research Methods for the Literary Theory-History", "Issues in Western Literary Theory: Opinions and Genres", "Comparative Study Between Chinese and Western Literary Theory", and "The Western Literary Theory in Marxist Horizon". During the symposium, there was a meeting to prepare the compiling of a textbook entitled Western Literary Theory. A feasible compilation plan was made according to the speeches and discussions of the participants in the symposium.

Experts and scholars who attended the symposium attached great importance to the above themes and actively participated in the discussion. They widely believed that this symposium played an improving role on the research on western literary theory in China, and will play a critical role in compiling a high level textbook.

Written by: Jing Zizhao, Cui Liwei

Photo by: Cao Chengzhu

Edited by: Ben Hammer, Jing Zizhao

Source:www.en.sdu.edu.cn,www.view.sdu.edu.cn