# Doris Sommer [**Curriculum Vitae**](https://rll-faculty.fas.harvard.edu/files/dorissommer/files/cv_doris_sommer_2022.pdf?m=1659454685) ![doris_gazette-1-1.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum2401/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/dorissommer/files/doris_gazette-1-1_0.jpg?itok=h6bsQToQ) **Academic Degrees:** A.B., Douglas College, NJ; M.A., Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Ph.D., Rutgers University **Research Interests:** 19th-Century Narrative in Latin American Women's Literature; Ethnic Literature; Bilingual Aesthetics Doris Sommer is Ira and Jewell Williams Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and of African and African American Studies. She is founder of "Cultural Agents," an Initiative at harvard and an NGO dedicated to reviving the civic mission of the Humanities. Her academic and outreach work promotes development through arts and humanities, specifically through “Pre-Texts” in Boston Public Schools, throughout Latin America and beyond. Pre-Texts is an arts-based training program for teachers of literacy, critical thinking, and citizenship. Among her books are *Foundational Fictions: The National Romances of Latin America* (1991) about novels that helped to consolidate new republics; *Proceed with Caution when Engaged by Minority Literature* (1999) on a rhetoric of particularism; *Bilingual Aesthetics: A New Sentimental Education* (2004) for our times of contested immigration; and *The Work of Art in the World: Civic Agency and Public Humanities* (2014). Sommer has enjoyed and is dedicated to developing good public school education. She has a B.A. from New Jersey's Douglass College for Women, and Ph.D. from Rutgers University. Director of Cultural Agents, DRCLAS; American Studies; EMR; Public Service; Public Health; SAI; MLA Working Group on **See Prof. Sommer's talk:** [**"Cultural Agents All"**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8jNDXC_hhU) **from Harvard Thinks Big** [RENAISSANCE NOW - Art is our Renewable Human Resource](https://youtu.be/dQKSBoRc5Cs#dorissommer) **Renaissance Now, Co-founder**, see [**http://renaissancenow-cai.org/**](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__renaissancenow-2Dcai.org_&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=fE1y1L5Pr8lANKKlz3Xmhh4AN1cy59H4v9tIqRbMQ6k&m=cV5K9j82aKewgpPwjqH-0AV4bRw-bdIrnEevBgQyhy4&s=7EqNfHRWw3B-hJCtQh8nvv0vP4FuN54r14BEYu-W1yI&e=) **Cultural Agents, Founder,** see **Announcements:** - launching of the "Arts and Policy City Certificate" in Mannheim, Asuncion, and Santiago - New Freshmen seminar "The 'Ignorant Schoolmaster' and the Experts'' (Fall 2022) - New cultural Agents project: "[Renaissance Now](https://www.renaissancenow-cai.org)" *Contact for details* **Essays:** ["Art as Opportunity and Obligation"](https://rll-faculty.fas.harvard.edu/files/dorissommer/files/art_as_opportunity_and_obligation_collective_w_additions.pdf?m=1625667905) - “Democracy Requests the pleasure of your company.” Harvard Magazine, May 2021 May/June pp. [https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2021/05/features-democracy-requests-company](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.harvardmagazine.com_2021_05_features-2Ddemocracy-2Drequests-2Dcompany&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=fE1y1L5Pr8lANKKlz3Xmhh4AN1cy59H4v9tIqRbMQ6k&m=cV5K9j82aKewgpPwjqH-0AV4bRw-bdIrnEevBgQyhy4&s=CF4aLfxyAEp9SvQ4A23dwoAmpDs2luBtZ3ePlx_QYqM&e=) - “Bored: A Pandemic of Domestic Violence.” *Partner Abuse*, Volume 12, Number 1, 2021 viewpoint and theory [https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/global-literature-on-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/resource/en/covidwho-1112541](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__pesquisa.bvsalud.org_global-2Dliterature-2Don-2Dnovel-2Dcoronavirus-2D2019-2Dncov_resource_en_covidwho-2D1112541&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=fE1y1L5Pr8lANKKlz3Xmhh4AN1cy59H4v9tIqRbMQ6k&m=cV5K9j82aKewgpPwjqH-0AV4bRw-bdIrnEevBgQyhy4&s=4c-qVWh7z65NtoyRKLJRlnD2WkzC_UsjZRyL8WInYcY&e=) **Lectures, selected:** - January 22, “Humanidades con vistas a futuro” Congreso Futuro, Senado chileno: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn5IxoKwOik](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.youtube.com_watch-3Fv-3Dcn5IxoKwOik&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=fE1y1L5Pr8lANKKlz3Xmhh4AN1cy59H4v9tIqRbMQ6k&m=cV5K9j82aKewgpPwjqH-0AV4bRw-bdIrnEevBgQyhy4&s=yfQokINNuIygWJNvORMnS3SEH9O1XO7_YrqB5VHc3Ak&e=) - April 13, G20 “Forward, Letters on Aesthetic Education” Presidency, Italian Government[https://media.beniculturali.it/mibac/files/boards/be78e33bc8ca0c99bff70aa174035096/PDF/G20%2013apr%20Culture%20Webinar%203%20Human%20capital\_13.4.2021.pdf](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__media.beniculturali.it_mibac_files_boards_be78e33bc8ca0c99bff70aa174035096_PDF_G20-252013apr-2520Culture-2520Webinar-25203-2520Human-2520capital-5F13.4.2021.pdf&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=fE1y1L5Pr8lANKKlz3Xmhh4AN1cy59H4v9tIqRbMQ6k&m=cV5K9j82aKewgpPwjqH-0AV4bRw-bdIrnEevBgQyhy4&s=yFzdCrLDeWPFeRIkFIZDLBadGq7MHkJxagO-fPFZ5HY&e=) recording: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC3lRCDwCqg](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.youtube.com_watch-3Fv-3DPC3lRCDwCqg&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=fE1y1L5Pr8lANKKlz3Xmhh4AN1cy59H4v9tIqRbMQ6k&m=cV5K9j82aKewgpPwjqH-0AV4bRw-bdIrnEevBgQyhy4&s=X-BjDyGvapwS3qCleMhAP7HLHSDo2Hu1Fwk0fmpVWDE&e=) minutes 33-42. - April 15, “La JEP y las Humanidades: Transitional Justice with Pre-Texts.” DRCLAS [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijo-Xa5bZHE](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.youtube.com_watch-3Fv-3Dijo-2DXa5bZHE&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=fE1y1L5Pr8lANKKlz3Xmhh4AN1cy59H4v9tIqRbMQ6k&m=cV5K9j82aKewgpPwjqH-0AV4bRw-bdIrnEevBgQyhy4&s=kpLf91g4Swpy6PlLxZjKKbGKug1732LlNuSRlXPr6UI&e=) - May 26, Art as Inclusion, in OECD Webinar “Cultural heritage and social cohesion” [https://www.oecd.org/cfe/leed/Italian-Heritage-Cities.htm#webinar1](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.oecd.org_cfe_leed_Italian-2DHeritage-2DCities.htm-23webinar1&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=fE1y1L5Pr8lANKKlz3Xmhh4AN1cy59H4v9tIqRbMQ6k&m=cV5K9j82aKewgpPwjqH-0AV4bRw-bdIrnEevBgQyhy4&s=kUc8Hh3QQjo1Y22qkD4sIL3jzByUROMKi48T5Ujs6nM&e=) - May 28, “Afromemorias: diálogos críticos sobre el archivo,” Instituto Caro y Cuervo [https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoCaroyCuervoColombia/videos/821356295460202](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.facebook.com_InstitutoCaroyCuervoColombia_videos_821356295460202&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=fE1y1L5Pr8lANKKlz3Xmhh4AN1cy59H4v9tIqRbMQ6k&m=cV5K9j82aKewgpPwjqH-0AV4bRw-bdIrnEevBgQyhy4&s=7bZ1k2C0yYXq1rzHvsLydvN6va-vMgViddNQAFW12cg&e=) - June 8, Keynote for SOPOT conference, Poland. **Memberships, selected:** - Engine for Art Democracy and Justice, Director Maria Magdalena Campos Pons, Vanderbilt University - Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (Vienna, Austria) - Pedagogy Committee of JEP (Jurisdicción Especial para la Paz, Colombia) - Pre-Texts Capacity builder for SEP (Secretaria de Educacion Publica) México; Ibby, Harvard Libraries, City of Mannheim, Law Schools, Paraguay, among others. ## Recent Publications Download 6 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=ris) ### 2019 Sommer D. [Cases for Culture](/publications/cases-culture). MLA Profession. 2019. Sommer D. [Cases for Culture](/publications/cases-culture). MLA Profession. 2019. - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://profession.mla.org/a-case-for-culture/#content) Dedicated defenders of precarious ground ask themselves how to bring more people into museums, libraries, concert halls, and theaters. This is a life-and-death question for many institutions. How can we safeguard the intrinsic value of the arts and... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://profession.mla.org/a-case-for-culture/#content) ### 2014 Sommer D. [The Work of Art in the World: Civic Agency and Public Humanities](https://www.dukeupress.edu/The-Work-of-Art-in-the-World/). Durham: Duke University Press; 2014. p. 232. Sommer D. [The Work of Art in the World: Civic Agency and Public Humanities](https://www.dukeupress.edu/The-Work-of-Art-in-the-World/). Durham: Duke University Press; 2014. p. 232. - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract "*Celebrating art and interpretation that take on social challenges, **Doris Sommer** looks to steer the humanities back to engagement with the world. Among the cases that she covers are top-down initiatives of political leaders, such as those launched by*... Sommer D. [The Work of Art in the World: Civic Agency and Public Humanities](/publications/work-art-world-civic-agency-and-public-humanities). Duke University Press; 2014. p. 232. Sommer D. [The Work of Art in the World: Civic Agency and Public Humanities](/publications/work-art-world-civic-agency-and-public-humanities). Duke University Press; 2014. p. 232. - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://www.dukeupress.edu/The-Work-of-Art-in-the-World/) Celebrating art and interpretation that take on social challenges, Doris Sommer steers the humanities back to engagement with the world. The reformist projects that focus her attention develop momentum and meaning as they circulate through society to... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://www.dukeupress.edu/The-Work-of-Art-in-the-World/) ### 2006 Sommer D. [Cultural Agency in the Americas](/publications/cultural-agency-americas-0). Dukie University Press; 2006. p. 392. Sommer D. [Cultural Agency in the Americas](/publications/cultural-agency-americas-0). Dukie University Press; 2006. p. 392. - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract “Cultural agency” refers to a range of creative activities that contribute to society, including pedagogy, research, activism, and the arts. Focusing on the connections between creativity and social change in the Americas, this collection encourages... ### 2005 Sommer D. [Abrazos Y Rechazos Como Leer En Clave Menor](/publications/abrazos-y-rechazos-como-leer-en-clave-menor). Fondo De Cultura Económica; 2005. Sommer D. [Abrazos Y Rechazos Como Leer En Clave Menor](/publications/abrazos-y-rechazos-como-leer-en-clave-menor). Fondo De Cultura Económica; 2005. - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract DescriptionKnowing a second language entails some unease; it requires a willingness to make mistakes and work through misunderstandings. The renowned literary scholar Doris Sommer argues that feeling funny is good for you, and for society. In Bilingual... ### 2004 Sommer D. [Bilingual Games: Some Literary Investigations](/publications/bilingual-games-some-literary-investigations). Palgrave; 2004. Sommer D. [Bilingual Games: Some Literary Investigations](/publications/bilingual-games-some-literary-investigations). Palgrave; 2004. - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract These essays bring home the most challenging observations of postmodernism—multiple identities, the fragility of meaning, the risks of communication. Sommer asserts that many people normally live—that is, think, feel, create, reason, persuade, laugh—in... [ More arrow\_circle\_right ](/publications)