[Discussion] [Fwd: CFP: Contemporary Literary Theory / Local and Global Identities (India) (8/1/02; 12/15/02-12/18/02)]

[Gonul Pultar]

SRATH wrote:
> 
> 5th International Convention
> Forum on Contemporary Theory
> Shillong (India) 15-18 December, 2002
> 
> Call for Papers
> 
> Theme:  Constructing Identities: Local and Global
> 15-18 December, 2002
> (15th December is for sightseeing)
> 
> sponsored by
> Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
> Shillong Regional Centre of the Central Institute of English and Foreign
> Languages of Hyderabad
> Louisiana State University in Shreveport, USA
> North-Eastern Hill University at Shillong.
> 
> Submission Deadline:  500-word abstracts or proposals are due by August 1.
> Complete papers should be limited to 12 pages (20 minute reading time).  A
> longer version of the paper may be submitted for publication in the Journal
> of Contemporary Thought
> 
> Registration Deadline:  $175.00 due by September 5.  All international
> delegates must be pre-registered.  The registration fee includes the cost of
> room (double occupancy) and board for 5days/4nights (14-18).  Checks should
> be made payable to "Forum on Contemporary Theory: Rath" and mailed to the
> address below.  There shall be no refund after registration is confirmed.
> 
> Contact Address:  For information please contact
>         Sura P. Rath
> Department of English, LSUS
>                 One University Place
>                 Shreveport, LA 71115
>                 Ph: 318-797-5296  fax: 318-797-5290
> 
>                 In India:
>                 Professor P. C. Kar, Head
>                 Department of English
>                 Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
>                 Baroda (INDIA
>                 Ph: 011-91-265-338067  fax: 011-91-265-335505
> 
>                 Local host:
>                 Professor K. C. Baral, , Director
> CIEFL, Northeast Campus
> Shillong
> INDIA  793 014
> Phone:  011-91-364-231648/ 230755 (0)
>                 011-91-364-520850/ 521147 (R)
> Fax:    011-91-364231648  e-mail: k.c.Baral@neline.com
> <mailto:k.c.Baral@neline.com>
> 
> The conference theme, a continuation of the 2001 convention in Konark,
> addresses the tricky question of identity.  In the context of globalization
> and changing demographic scenario of cultures as a result of constant
> movement of population from  location to location, the question has acquired
> a new urgency and force. The process of globalization has not only unsettled
> people and  cultures but has created new identities and affiliations in
> terms of both conflicts and collaborations.  In the dialectic clash of
> interests between the local and the global a new kind of consciousness seems
> to have developed about the relative merits and weaknesses of both the
> identities.  Sometimes what appears to be specific and local acquires  the
> object of global desire, and what appears to be global  circulates freely in
> the local market.  In this kind of situation where the local and the global
> seem to overlap, the discursive articulation of the difference of identities
> becomes more intense. In multicultural societies the problem of identities
> occupies the center stage of the academic debate.  The Convention will take
> into consideration the question of how identities are constructed, deployed,
> erased; how they merge with one another and form clusters; and how they are
> always already in a state of constant formation, deformation, and
> reformation.  The location of the Convention in North East India where local
> identities are prominently invoked in any kind of debate about Indian
> culture will provide an appropriate site for addressing philosophically and
> conceptually such a problematic. The specific thrust of the Convention will
> be on identities, while the broad context in which the topic will be
> discussed involves globalization and multiculturalism.
> 
> There will be two plenary sessions on:
>         1.      Verrier Elwin, the distinguished anthropologist who wrote
> extensively on the tribes of the North East. His book A Philosophy for NEFA
> is cited as an excellent example of indigenous discourse coming out of an
> obscure tribal setting
>         2.      Yaruingam (People's Rule)  by the Assamese writer Birendra
> Bhattacharyya, available in English translation.  The novel, set in
> Nagaland, deals with the question of identity in a fresh way
> 
> Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, is a pleasant hill station at a
> height of 3,500 ft. from the sea level, about 100 kilometers from Guwahati.
> With its pine covered hills, green lakes, and colorful tribals, Shillong is
> one of India's largest hill stations.  It can be reached from Guwahti, the
> capital of the state of Assam, which is connected by air with Delhi,
> Calcutta, and Bangkok, and by train. Travel time between Guwahati and
> Shillong is roughly 3 hours by road. .Taxis are available at Guwahati
> airport.  In December the temperature in Shillong varies from 18 degress
> celsius to 20 degree celsius.  The participants are advised to bring warm
> clothes with them.  Guwahati is famous for Kamakshya temple.  One can also
> visit Cherrapunjee, the wettest place on Earth (97 kms), and Kaziranga
> National Park (150 kms).  Kaziranga is famous for the one-horned rhino.
> There will be a one-day sightseeing tour for the conference participants on
> December 15.
> 
> Local organizers will meet international participants at Guwahati airport on
> December 14, and assist with local transportation.  Those arriving by train
> will also be received at the station.  Complete itinerary should be sent to
> the local organizer.
> 
>          ===============================================
>          From the Literary Calls for Papers Mailing List
>                       CFP@english.upenn.edu
>                        Full Information at
>                 http://www.english.upenn.edu/CFP/
>           or write Erika Lin: elin@english.upenn.edu
>          ===============================================