[Bilimsel Haber] CFP: "Contemporary Issues: Literature and Culture since 1980" MELUS-MELOW, Panjab U, Chandigarh, India, 25-27 February 2010

[Gonul Pultar]

      CONFERENCE 2010 - CHANDIGARH
      <http://melusmelow.blogspot.com/2009/02/conference-2010-chandigarh.html>


*Announcement of the 10th International MELUS-MELOW Conference*
*Contemporary Issues: Literature and Culture since 1980


*Venue: Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
Tentative Date: 25-27 February 2010
Contemporary Issues: Literature and Culture since 1980

In contemporary discourse on society and the arts culture is perhaps one 
of the most elusive of concepts. It is used by different people in 
different ways depending upon variables such as region, religion, 
language and socio-economic class. While anthropologists see culture as 
the central organizing concept embodied in beliefs and values 
transmitted across generations through artefacts, objects, institutions 
and education, literature is one of the most important disciplines 
relevant to cultural studies and culture in general. The collapse of the 
hierarchical distinction between high and mass-mediated culture ensures 
a more vigorous synergy between literature, culture, and society; it 
reflects the collective experience of the times through an 
intertextuality that binds individuals and groups together. A critical 
examination of an age through diverse genres including popular culture, 
mass media and studies of everyday life unfolds various facets of 
identity formation as much as it helps in the understanding of our times 
in all its complex hues.

Keeping in view the uncertainties, anxieties and complexities of our 
times, the MELUS-MELOW conference of 2010 proposes to debate upon issues 
focused in art, literature and culture since 1980. In addition to recent 
developments related to gender, class, race and ethnicity, contributors 
are encouraged to explore topical issues such as ecology, the new 
economic order, technical advancement, and hyper-reality. 250-word 
abstracts of papers related to the theme in these areas are invited from 
members of MELOW / MELUS-India. The focus will be American Literature / 
World Literatures.

The following sub-headings may be considered:

1. Violence / terrorism
2. Cross-border collaborations / ventures
3. Culture of capitalism / consumerism
4. Rise of the underdog
5. Mass media/ cinema / advertising
6. Popular culture
7. Moral policing
8. Politics of publishing / awards
9. People in motion
10. Ecology / Environment

***
*Deadlines:
Submission of abstract: 30 June 2009
Intimation regarding acceptance of Abstract: 1 August 2009
Submission of Complete Papers: 30 November 2009
 
contact person: Manju Jaidka mjaidka at gmail.com <mailto:mjaidka at gmail.com>