Comparative Postcolonial Theory and the Question of Chinese Empire

By taking a comparative approach that emphasizes conjunctures and relations, this lecture will explore the question of Chinese empire in relation to European empires via the pivot of Sinophone literature from Southeast Asia where we find the confetti of empire strewn all over the place.

The emergence of Sinophone studies in the last decade is altering the landscape of postcolonial theory largely derived from the historical experience of western European empires.  How does Sinophone studies intervene in and contribute to existing postcolonial theory?  Why is Sinophone studies still marginalized in postcolonial studies?  By taking a comparative approach that emphasizes conjunctures and relations, this lecture will explore the question of Chinese empire in relation to European empires via the pivot of Sinophone literature from Southeast Asia where we find the confetti of empire strewn all over the place.