Public Affairs

Dr. Malek Mohammad, assistant professor of English at AUK, recently published a groundbreaking book that delves into the intersection of literature and ethics. 

The book interrogates the concepts of dignity, power and biopolitics as articulated by European philosophers Michel Foucault and Georgio Agamben and as explored in the works of non-native novelists of the English canon such as J. M. Coetzee and Kazuo Ishiguro. 

Published by Ethics Press, a respected UK-based publisher dedicated to promoting books that explore ethical concerns, this work aligns perfectly with the press's mission. Ethics Press aims to be a leading publisher in this field, with most of its publications authored by esteemed faculty and leaders from universities and organizations worldwide.

Over the past four decades, the "ethical turn" in literary studies has profoundly influenced the methods used in teaching and studying literature. Dr. Malek’s classes reflect this shift. Whether it's an introductory critical reading and writing course or an advanced English seminar, he prioritizes the integration of ethical considerations, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the learning experience.

Dr. Malek Mohammad earned his Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University in 2010. His doctoral dissertation is titled “The Discourse of Human Dignity and Techniques of Disempowerment: Giorgio Agamben, J. M. Coetzee, and Kazuo Ishiguro.” He taught writing and literature courses in Texas (USA), and since 2012 he has been an assistant professor of English at the American University of Kuwait, where he taught Approaches to Critical Reading and Writing; Writing and Information Literacy; Public Speaking; World Literatures in Translation; World Literatures in English; and Literary Theory and Criticism. His research interests include modern Anglophone literature, ethics, human rights discourse, and the symbiosis of culture and economy. 

The book can be purchased here.  

Book cover