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

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

1b) 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, isiXhosa 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 & HISTORY2005-2007

RESEARCH 2006

• 9 accredited articles (John x 3, VVuuren x 2, Kriel, Kwatsha, West, Malan & VVuuren)

• 3 contributions to books (Mkonto, Kriel & VVuuren x2)• 3 D.Litt. theses & 6 MA dissertations • 1 international conference paper (VVuuren), 6 national

conference papers (Mkonto, Krielx2,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 x4, Kwatsha, Smith, Somniso, Kwatsha, VVuuren, VdSpuy&VVuuren, West&VVuuren)

• 3 contributions to books (Mkonto, Kriel, & VVuuren x2)• 4 D.Litt. theses & 5 MA dissertations• 1 international conference paper (S Goddard), 5 national

conference papers (Mqagi, Kwatsha x 2, Somniso, SSmith)

• 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 book2006: 9 accredited articles & 3 contributuions to books2007: 11 accredited articles & 1 forthcoming book (March 2008)

• NRF rating2002-2007: Two rated NRF human scientists – Dr John & Prof

van Vuuren2008- 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 socio-

political 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)