MELUS-INDIA=20
[WEBSITE: www.melus-ind.org]
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
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"LANDMARKS ON THE AMERICAN SCENE: THEN AND NOW"
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MELUS-India, the Society for the Study of the Multi-Ethnic Literature of =
the United States, India Chapter, invites you to participate in its =
annual International Conference on "Landmarks on the American Scene: =
Then and Now" to be held in Chandigarh tentatively in the last week of =
March, 2005. =20
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A "landmark" would generally be defined as a marker, an object that =
marks the boundary of land, a conspicuous entity that marks a locality, =
an anatomical structure used as a point of orientation in locating other =
structures, an event development that marks a turning point or a stage, =
a structure (as a building) of unusual historical and / or aesthetic =
interest, especially one that is set aside for preservation. =
MELUS-India 2005 proposes to consider a variety of issues related to =
texts and events that make a mark in history. What becomes a landmark =
and why do we call certain texts or signposts landmarks? This question =
would trigger off all our investigations. What is the function of =
designating certain authors and certain texts as 'landmarks'? Why do a =
few works become landmarks? These are questions that would be examined =
in the conference. We would also consider the relation that landmarks =
have to each other, to other works, to their own times and to ours. =
Delegates would explore issues in literary history and canon formation, =
focus on close readings of texts and comparative / contextual analysis; =
study the historical, cultural and social contexts of these landmarks =
and also the changing notions of literary style and form. In the =
process, the conference would explore the range and development of =
American literature, major authors, turning points, literary movements =
and traditions, frameworks and counter-frameworks for reading and =
understanding works in different traditions.
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We propose to focus on important signposts in America across diverse =
spheres: literature, culture, popular arts, media, et. al. The idea is =
to be cross-disciplinary and to encourage discussions across generic =
borders and conventional dividing lines. =20
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250-word abstracts of papers related to the theme in the following areas =
are invited:=20
American fiction / poetry / drama /the arts, ethnic writing, theory. =
Please note that MELUS-India does not believe in exclusion - if =
'minority' literatures are being encouraged it does not mean that the =
'mainstream' is to be excluded. Participants are welcome to send in =
proposals on writers like Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson, Melville, as also =
Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison and others.
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Deadline for abstracts is Saturday 30th of October, 2004. However, =
prospective applicants are advised to send in their abstracts early by =
email to mjaidka@sify.com (please note changed email id), not as =
attachment but as part of the text message. Abstracts received after 5 =
PM on 30th October 2004 will NOT be considered.
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Acceptance letters to selected participants, along with further details =
of the conference, will be mailed by the first week of December, 2004.
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For any queries contact:=20
Manju Jaidka (Secretary, MELUS-India)
Pprofessor and Chairperson
Dept of English
Panjab University
Chandigarh, India - 160014
Tel (H) - 91-172-2736899 (please note the change)
Email: mjaidka@sify.com
===============================================
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
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