Valerie Henitiuk, University of East Anglia

Dear Drs. Naylor, Misak, and Gentler,

As a Canadian who earned her PhD in Comparative Literature (University of Alberta 2005), I was taken aback by the suggestion that the University of Toronto’s world-renowned Centre for Comparative Literature could be closed. This is a discipline that is at the leading edge of Humanities research today, and the centre itself importantly represents the legacy of one of the great, Canadian figures of literary theory and criticism.

Further, as someone who did her postdoc at the Center [now Institute] for Comparative Literature and Society at Columbia University in the US, has conducted research in France and Japan, attends scholarly conferences all over the world, and currently heads a Translation Studies centre in the UK, I am regularly reminded of the international status possessed by the Centre for Comparative Literature. It is rightly regarded with tremendous respect not only within the discipline, but also from outside it. Squandering that kind of global renown and recognition, not to mention undermining the stellar work of its current faculty and students, would seem a shockingly short-sighted step.

I have just read the Manifesto written by the Comparative Literature students at the University of Toronto and posted to their website (http://www.savecomplit.ca/Manifesto.html). The arguments and rationale for their position that the centre must not be disestablished are clear and convincing. Far from having outlived its purpose, the discipline of Comparative Literature represents much of the best and most crucial intellectual work being done today. It is thriving in many parts of the world and forms an integral part of the Humanities at major universities. The Centre for Comparative Literature is a significant part of what makes the University of Toronto a leading institution, and should in fact play a central, vital role in its future.

We all recognize the difficult economic climate and budgetary pressures faced by universities in Canada and elsewhere. However, this proposal to disband the centre and merge it into a more general School of Languages and Literatures cannot be the answer. I sincerely hope that the debate engendered by the proposed closure will help bring other, less potentially damaging options to the fore.

In closing, I would urge the University of Toronto to reconsider this action and instead take steps fully to acknowledge the great asset that the Centre for Comparative Literature has been, is, and can be, and continue to support its ground-breaking work in every way possible.

Thank you, and best regards,

Valerie Henitiuk (Dr.)

Director (Acting), British Centre for Literary Translation

Senior Lecturer, School of Literature and Creative Writing
University of East Anglia
Norwich NR4 7TJ
Tel.: (44) (0)1603 592739

www.bclt.org.uk