Cornell’s global reach expands with the inaugural session of the East China Normal University (ECNU)/Cornell University Summer School in Theory (ECSST), July 18-22 in Shanghai. It is co-sponsored by Cornell’s Society for the Humanities and ECNU and co-hosted in Shanghai by the ECNU/Cornell Center for Comparative Humanities.

The program, “Visual Culture, Media Theory, Arts Practice,” will explore contemporary international debates in and across media studies, visual studies, literary studies, philosophy and contemporary art with daily seminars and lectures, and visits to Shanghai art and media exhibitions.

“We were tremendously gratified that 2,000 humanities and arts faculty from across Asia applied for the 50 positions in the week-long session,” said Timothy Murray, the Taylor Family Director of the Society for the Humanities and professor of comparative literature and English. The accepted students represent more than 40 Asian universities.

ECSST is co-directed by Murray and Amy Villarejo, professor of performing and media studies. Cornell Visiting Associate Professor of Art Renate Ferro and Naoki Sakai, the Goldwin Smith Professor of Asian Studies in Asian studies and comparative literature, will join Murray and Villarejo as instructors.

ECSST is the culmination of seven years of collaboration between faculty involved in the ECNU-Cornell Center for Comparative Humanities, co-directed by Murray, Villarejo and ECNU communications professor Lu Xinyu. The collaboration has led to joint conferences in Shanghai and Ithaca.

Linda B. Glaser is a staff writer for the College of Arts and Sciences.