[Discussion] CFP: Theory * Activism * Creativity (9/1/05; 10/27/05-10/29/05)

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

From: Denise Guidry <dguidry@english.ufl.edu>

Theory * Activism * Creativity: Navigating Textual Politics
5th Annual Conference hosted by the English Graduate Organization  (EGO)
The University of Florida, Gainesville

Date: 27 - 29 October 2005
Keynote: Judith "Jack" Halberstam
Deadline: 1 September 2005

A recent New York Times article on the 2004 MLA Convention suggests modern
scholars of literature have reduced the loftier study of accepted canonical
texts into a chic preoccupation with popular media that is little more than
masturbatory fantasy couched in a catchy title. Marginalizing various 
schools of
theoretical thought, namely feminist, queer, postcolonial, radical race, 
among
others, this article conveys to the public at large that contemporary 
humanities
studies are informed by nothing more than "trendy" leftist political 
theories
that have no lasting importance.

Not surprisingly, navigating the textual politics of studies within the
humanities can often be fraught with myriad tensions for scholars both 
in and
outside of the university. Indeed, skeptical attitudes toward politically
informed schools of thought and investments in texts that fall outside 
of the
traditional canon are still evident within the university system itself. 
These
tensions therefore raise a number of questions about how and where theory,
activism, and creativity intersect in our current moment. For example, 
how do we
interpret and teach the literature of the past while navigating within and
beyond the vacuum of tradition? How can texts be "activist" when modern 
theory
often decentralizes meaning? Can we no longer talk about authors' 
politics in
connection with their process of creative production? How do we continue
to reinforce the relevancy of various politicized strains of theory 
(feminist,
queer, postcolonial, radical race, Marxist, etc.) in the midst of 
critiques that
they become formulaic and redundant ways of "reading" texts? How do 
literature
and different forms of media affect cultural and political change 
outside of the
university?

This conference seeks to interrogate and navigate these fissures and 
overlaps
between creative, activist, and theoretical work. We welcome panels, 
papers, and
creative presentations by graduate students, faculty, independent 
scholars, and
activists, which include but are not limited to the following issues:

     * literary criticism and activist theory
     * reading and teaching popular media, comics, film, fanzines,
       animation, etc.
     * diversifying canons and/or questioning canonicity
     * "intellectual" vs. "mainstream" publics and the question of address
     * politics and textual production
     * merging theory and activism
     * academic writing as creative
     * personal narrative as academic writing--transgressing theoretical
       conventions
     * activist rhetorics
     * the personal/autobiographical and the theoretical (testimonio)
     * feminist and GLBTQ research and publication
     * women's studies, masculinity studies, postcolonial studies and
       interdisciplinary research
     * field-specific activism, including the role of professional
       organizations
     * listservs, blogs, MOOs, and activist cyberspaces
     * the role of activism in the classroom
     * the role of the activist on campus
     * the market: practicality, tenure, research

The deadline for proposals is September 1, 2005. Proposals must include your
name, e-mail address, mailing address, telephone number, institutional
affiliation, technology requests, presentation title, and 300-word abstract.
Presentations will be limited to 20 minutes. Please submit your 
proposals to:

     Andrea Wood, EGO Co-President
     Department of English
     4008 Turlington Hall
     PO Box 117310
     Gainesville, FL 32611-7310

Electronic submissions are preferred, but not required. Please send 
electronic
submissions via plain-text email. In other words, copy-and-paste your 
abstract
into your email client and send it that way. Panel proposals are also 
welcomed
and encouraged.

For any further information contact EGO Co-Presidents Andrea Wood at
awood@english.ufl.edu or Joanna Shearer at jshearer@english.ufl.edu

Conference web site: http://www.nwe.ufl.edu/ego/conference05/


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