Albert Braz, University of Alberta

Dear President Naylor,

My name is Albert Braz and I am writing to you regarding the University of Toronto's proposed "disestablishment" of the Centre for Comparative Literature. I am compelled to express my concern about this troubling decision both as an alumnus of the University and the Centre (PhD, 1999) and as the director of the Comparative Literature Program at the University of Alberta.

Like anyone else even peripherally involved with academia, I am fully aware of the dire economic situation facing Canadian universities. Nevertheless, I am utterly perplexed that the University of Toronto would even contemplate downgrading Comparative Literature to a non-degree-granting program (in the future School for Languages and Literatures). As the study of literature in different languages, Comparative Literature is ideally placed to expose students to the diversity of cultural expression around the world. In this age of globalization, it is essential for the new generations, regardless of the fields they pursue, to become culturally literate. Not surprisingly, the most prestigious universities in the United States--such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia, New York, and Stanford--have degree-granting programs in Comparative Literature. Thus it is unimaginable that an institution with a reputation such as the University of Toronto would no longer offer Comparative Literature.

In conclusion, I hope the University of Toronto will reject the proposal to dissolve the Centre for Comparative Literature and thus
preserve a discipline that brings the University much prestige.

Sincerely yours,
Albert Braz

Albert Braz
Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and English
Director, Comparative Literature Program
University of Alberta



PS: I am copying this email to the Provost, the Dean of Arts, and the
Director of the Centre for Comparative Literature Program. Also, I
intend to write you a formal letter. However, since I am currently out
of the country, and considering the urgency of the matter, I decided
to write you this email.