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MELUS - MELOW 2008
Our Next Conference:
Date: November 28-30, 2008
Venue: Shantiniketan, West Bengal
MELUS-India (The Society for the Study of the Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States – India Chapter) and MELOW (The Society for the Study of the Literatures of the World) will hold a combined conference at Visvabharati University, Shantiniketan, West Bengal. The dates are 28-30 November 2008.
THEME FOR THE 2008 Conference:
Literary Transactions in a Globalized Context: Multi-Ethnicity, Gender, and the Marketplace
Living in an era of profound change, when life seems to undergo a radical upheaval every now and then, no longer are we satisfied with the grand sweep of grand theories. Unsettling changes in the global sphere demand that we re-vision out perspectives and question traditional ideologies. Major issues in multi-ethnic studies, especially in multi-ethnic literatures, such as ‘homeland’— real or imaginary, cultural memory, the sense of belonging (or the lack of it) or the sense of community, interpersonal relationships, and a host of other issues, are forever undergoing transformation. The 2008 MELUS-MELOW International Conference will focus on these and other related aspects of multi-ethnic literatures of the US and the world.
The Conference themes would focus on – but not be restricted to – ideas that have gained currency during the present times: gender issues, financial issues – particularly those governing literature, and issues of political correctness that influence literary events. Works of literature, art and culture would be examined from various perspectives related to sexuality, economics, and day-to-day propriety, together with other issues of diversity, religion and biases in the production of literatures.
Abstracts not exceeding 250 words are invited on the following themes:
• Theories of literature and their relevance today. Is “doing theory” a fad that has outlived its novelty and appeal? How do we negotiate the grey areas of theoretical parameters?
• Issues of Pedagogy. How does globalization affect what we teach and how we teach? In what way does it impact canon-formation and other issues in academia?
• The currency of ideas – not just monetary politics but also what is in vogue in the present times, our modes of exchange and transactions, and the “currentness” or “updatedness” of ideas..
• “Political correctness” and the appreciation of literature. This would debate the politics involved in the award of prestigious Literary Prizes. The reasons why a masterpiece gets neglected by prize-giving authorities would also be considered.
• Gender matters – issues of sexuality and the changing codes of acceptance. The woman question, deviant or dissident sexuality are some areas that would be considered as also women and economics – the contribution of women to the literature industry / market.
• Literature as a Commercial Enterprise. The "Marketplace" of literature – editors, publishers, reviewers, critics, academic curricula. Publicity and the literary artist. The Writer as a performer or a salesman. |
Abstracts for MELUS-India would deal with the above issues in the discipline of American literature, taking into consideration American Studies viv-a-vis culture, politics, nation-building, history and empire.
MELOW abstracts would deal with the same topics in World Literature. The MELOW focus for the 2008 conference will be literatures of the Southern Continents – i.e., South America, Africa and Australia.
Important Dates:
Deadline for Abstracts: November 25, 2007
Acceptances will be mailed by end-January 2008
Deadline for Papers: July 1, 2008
Instructions for sending abstracts:
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Abstracts should not exceed 250 words and should clearly indicate whether they are to be considered for MELUS-India (American Literature) or MELOW (World Literatures).
• The following information, in the given format, should be sent along with the abstract:
Title of Abstract |
Name of Delegate
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Official designation, Address and email id |
Home address and Phone number |
Whether the abstract is for MELUS or MELOW |
MELUS/MELOW conferences attended earlier (in which year and where) |
Are you currently a member of MELUS or MELOW? Or do you need a fresh / renewed membership? Please specify. |
• Send the abstract with the necessary information by email (as part of the TEXT message, and NOT as attachment) to mjaidka@gmail.com with a copy to somdattam@gmail.com
• Deadline for receipt of abstracts is November 25, 2007. Please do not ask for extensions.
All abstracts will be peer-reviewed before they are accepted. Acceptance letters will be mailed by end-January 2008.
Complete papers (of abstracts that have been accepted) should come in by 1st July 2008.
For any further clarification contact:
mjaidka@gmail.com, aneelraina@gmail.com, or somdattam@gmail.com
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