A text can be a poem, a novel, a painting, a chair, or a garden. When does the reading of a text begin, and where does it cease? In this digital age, does “mining” of texts reveal reading possibilities that are otherwise hidden? Bringing in texts of various kinds from late imperial China, this conference hopes to form an interdisciplinary discussion on recent discoveries of new texts, rereadings of canonical texts, expanded concept of texts, and on renewed approaches in exploring the meaning of text(s).

Program:

7:30 a.m.—8:20 a.m. Keynote speech   

Professor Ellen B. Widmer (Wellesley College)

8:30 a.m.—10:30 a.m.  Conference presentation 

Professor Xiaoqiao Ling (Arizona State University)

Professor Paul Vierthaler (The College of William & Mary)

Professor Huan Jin (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

Professor Binbin Yang (The University of Hong Kong)