[Discussion] Postmodernism, Globalisation and the Media

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

International Conference in Science and Humanities at the Mudra
Institute of Communication (MICA), Ahmedabad, India
Jointly being organised by Kogakuin University (Tokyo Urban Tech) and
the University of Limerick, Ireland

Postmodernism, Globalisation and the Media
To be held at MICA, Ahmedabad, India between March 5th to 7th, 2005.

How does one view contemporary times? There are many discourses about
the different ways of looking at the world. Ideological frameworks
remain the key. However, what is imperative is to engage in discourses
that attempts to bring out some sort of a perspective about the world.
At a larger level, these might be discourses which synthesize sciences
as a whole. One of the dominant frameworks in operation today is
postmodernism.

As far as the concept of post-modernism is concerned, there are
different perspectives to the same. Moreover the term itself has been
used to a wide range of economic social and cultural phenomena.
Philosophically, postmodernism may be seen to demonstrate a suspicion to
all embracing systems of thought thanks to what Lyotard called 'les
grans recits' or meta-narratives of western thought. Lyotard's work may
be linked to more general strains of post - structuralist thinking
(Hill, 1998) but as mentioned earlier these may be seen to include a
suspicion of 'totalising theories'; an anti foundationalism that rejects
all claims to 'absolute' or 'universal' foundations of knowledge.
Postmodernism also stresses on the heterogeneity and fragmented
character of social and cultural 'realities'. It also questions any
attempts of any unified account of them.

Sociologically speaking, postmodernism has also been used to identify to
a new economic and social order. Here too ideas such as 'post
industrialism' or post modernity crop up. The reference here is to a
period that follows modernity. To be noted is that the periodisation
itself is not always agreed upon. Apart from that there are criticisms
to it. The debates in globalisation are an indicator in this regard. For
example, the argument of a globalised world is also carried repeatedly
to enforce the inevitability of globalisation. However as Tabb states,
this idea of inevitability is in itself an ideological construct and it
is the product of political forces acting through the powerful lobbies
of government and media. This inevitability represents a new phase and
hence as Meiksins Wood (1998) says there is an emphasis on cultural,
ideological and psychological shifts, the dissolution of old
certainties, the disintegration of all political foundations, the
fluidity of "identities" and the "de-centred subject". It has to be
added here that while there has been a retreat from all grand
narratives, "this historic rupture, however, did not usher in the
post-modern epoch" (Meiksins Wood, 1998).

Science studies are also crucial. As Ziauddin Sardar states, its
importance lies solely as a vehicle for surveying, criticising and
transforming our knowledge practices more generally. Further more, it
aims to introduce a discourse of values in the practice and operation of
science and open the practice of science to democratic accountability;
especially its decision-making processes and power structures.

About the MICA conference
Even though the terrain of this conference is vast, the basic purpose of
this seminar is to engage in a dialogue to touch upon all sides to this
phenomenon. The purpose is to bring in scholars from science and
humanities for an interface. The other need for this conference is in
its context. There is a need to get into such inquiries primarily
because of its potential to bring in a range of scholars for a dialogue.
The idea of holding this conference is also to forge stronger academic
links with the participant universities for joint research.

The first International conference on Postmodernism was held at the
Kogakuin University, Tokyo, Japan in March 2004. The University of
Limerick (Ireland) was also an active participant in the conference. It
was at this conference that it was proposed that the follow up
conference be held in India. This proposal was accepted by the Mudra
Institute of Communication (MICA), Ahmedabad, India. It is now proposed
that the conference be held between March 5th -7th, 2005 at MICA.

The Tokyo conference was an overview of postmodernism with respect to
science and humanities. The MICA conference would be an extension to the
same with a focus on the arts and the media in the context of
globalization. Papers are also invited from related areas. Given the
global scenario today and the interplay of postmodernism in academic
discourses, it is necessary to delve deeper into the realm of social
sciences. The underlying themes of the India conference would be:

   1. An enquiry into postmodernism in the realm of science and
      humanities in the context of globalisation.
   2. How the various dimensions of arts, cinema and the media are
      linked to the process and,
   3. It is also proposed that there be a one day focus on the south
      Asia region; as the conference is being held in this region.

Academic areas
Research Papers are invited from scholars, academic and doctoral
students. Even though there is a specific focus with the keywords being
postmodernism, globalisation and media, papers with related focus in the
realm of social sciences are also invited. For instance the list could
include the areas of:

   1. Architecture
   2. Artificial Intelligence
   3. Business Studies
   4. Environmentalism
   5. Feminism
   6. Film
   7. Information Sciences
   8. International Relations
   9. Literature
  10. Modern European Languages
  11. Philosophy and Art
  12. Applied Physics
  13. Physics
  14. Politics
  15. Music
  16. Robotics
  17. Sociology

All papers will be refereed. Please send abstracts and subsequently the
papers to the following address which in turn will be send to the area
chairs. The contact address is as follows:

A.F.Mathew
Assistant Professor
MICA, Shela,
Ahmedabad, India 380058

Papers can also be emailed to:
postmodernism@mica.ac.in
mathew@mica.ac.in

The last date for submission of abstracts is January 15th, 2005. Full
papers have to be submitted by February 15th, 2005.

Registration
All international participants would have to register for the conference.
The registration fee for the conference is 500 US dollars.
For Scholars from the Developing countries, the registration is 250 US
dollars.
The registration fee for doctoral and other students is 150 US dollars.
Evidence of students' status is requested.
The registration fee covers boarding, lodging and transport on the days
of the conference. Apart from all meals, this also includes a trip to a
local site of historical importance.
For those who register before December 31st, 2004, there would be a 10%
less fee.

The registration fees can be paid by bankers' draft/cheque in the name
of "Mudra Institute of Communication" payable at Ahmedabad, India.
Assistance regarding this would be accorded.
An edited book from the papers presented by the scholars would be the
outcome of this conference.

Conference participants

Speakers for the Inaugural Session and the First Session (as of now):

   1. Prof. Philip Scheslinger, University of Sterling, England
   2. Prof. Atul Tandan, Director, MICA
   3. Dr. Somnath Zutshi, Director, Seagull Arts and Media Centre,
      Calcutta, India
   4. Prof Brian Coates, Department of Languages and Culture Studies,
      University of Limerick
   5. Dr. Sato / Prof. Setsuko, Department of Languages, Kogakuin
      University
   6. Prof. Nandita Haksar, Former Professor of Law, Bangalore Law
      School, India

      Area Chairs (as on 2nd October 2004)
      Architecture: Prof. Tomoaki Nakashima, Kogakuin University
      Literature: Dr. Eugene O'Brien, Mary Immaculate College, Ireland
      Feminism: Kim Arnold
      Physics: Prof. Takayoshi Komura, Kogakuin University
      Politics: Dr. Matthew Canon, University of Limerick
      Post modern Music: Prof. Mikael Fernstorm, University of Limerick
      Robotics: Prof. Ishii, Kogakuin University
      Sociology: Dr. Eoin Devereux, Professor of Sociology, University
      of Limerick
      Artificial Intelligence: Prof. Eiji Yodogawa, Japanese Space agency
      Philosophy and Art: Kieran Cashell

	A.F.Mathew
Asssitant Professor
Mudra Institute of Communication (MICA)
Shela, Ahmedabad, India 380058
Fax: 00-91-2717237945
Phone: 00-91-2717-237946
Email: mathew@mica.ac.in <mailto:mathew@mica.ac.in>
Visit the website at http://www.mica-india.net/seminars/icsh.htm