Organized by: English Literary Association Department of English Jesus and Mary College
Concept Note
Girlhood Studies emerged as a distinct field of study in the 1990s, in the Anglophone North, influenced by a growing discourse on gender equality, especially in fields like science, math, and technology. However, its roots can be traced back to the 1970s when second wave feminist scholars began critiquing the disproportionate focus on boyhood in youth research. In the West, Black Girlhood Studies has emerged to address the under-representation of Black girls in the field. Similarly, there has been powerful scholarship examining the cross-section of disabilities with Girlhood Studies. Recently, South Asian scholars have made critical interventions in the field by exploring the historical erasure of the experiences of girlhood in the region. They have highlighted how the figure of the girl has been overdetermined by the anxieties about, and for, the woman she would become. Seen always as only “becoming a woman,” and never allowed to be a girl, the South Asian woman, nonetheless, has been treated like a little girl who needs “protection.” Given these paradoxical operations of erasure, hypersexualisation and infantilisation, it is no surprise that girls and “girlhood” are missing from Indian novels. Obviously, “Swami & Friends” did not, indeed, could not have any sisters whose childhood predicaments and perplexities, pranks and play, merited any attention! Pre-colonial, colonial and postcolonial girlhoods are now being investigated from many different perspectives. By using an intersectional approach, for example, Dalit and Adivasi girlhoods have emerged as distinct fields of research.
About the Seminar
This student seminar invites in-depth and extensive exploration of the conceptualization of girlhood in all types of literary (fictional and non fictional), performative and multimedial narratives. The seminar hopes to arrive at a richer understanding of the multiple experiences and constructions of “girlhood” through time, especially in its complex interplay with traditional or modern hegemonic discursivities, socio-cultural formations and politico economic imperatives. Also, this student seminar aims to establish Critical Girlhood Studies as a robust academic domain of research amongst young scholars. We invite undergraduate and postgraduate students to submit their contributions for an interdisciplinary student seminar that delves into the many dimensions of Girlhood Studies.
Coming of age and other narratives Subcultures and fandoms Social media and girlhood Disability and girlhood studies Capitalism, consumerism, and girlhood Performing girlhood Intersectionality of race, religion, ethnicity, caste, class, etc. Menstruation Queering and trancing girlhoods Media and representation Violence, risks, and betrayals Education, health, and rights Mobility and access Beauty standards and body dysmorphia Girl brides Play and sports
We welcome papers and presentations that explore, but are not limited to, the following themes:
- Coming of age and other narratives
- Subcultures and fandoms
- Social media and girlhood Disability and girlhood studies
- Capitalism,
- consumerism, and girlhood
- Performing girlhood
- Intersectionality of race, religion, ethnicity, caste, class, etc.
- Menstruation Queering and transing girlhoods
- Media and representation
- Violence, risks, and betrayals
- Education, health, and rights Mobility and access
- Beauty standards and body dysmorphia Girl brides Play and sports
We welcome papers and presentations that explore, but are not limited to, the following themes:
PLEASE NOTE:
This seminar will be held in the hybrid mode. The first day (1st November) will be held online on Zoom.
The second day (2nd November) will be an in-person event at Jesus and Mary College, DU. Artwork: Young Girls by Amrita Sher-Gill
Abstract Submission Deadline 19th October 2023
Notification of Acceptance 29th October 2023
Full Paper Submission Deadline You can submit your abstract using this GoogleForm: bit.ly/GirlSeminar
Alternatively you can email it to: girluninterrupted2023@gmail.com
Name and Contact information
Paper Title - Full paper title for the presentation Paper Abstract - 250-word abstract 4-5 keywords Word Document; 12 Times New Roman; Double spaced Your submission should contain: Girl, (Un)Interrupted
Important Dates
This National Student Seminar is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students of all streams from different academic institutions across the country. The presenters will need to show their current ID as proof of academic affiliation. Presenters from outside Delhi may opt for presenting in the online mode on the second day. WHO CAN APPLY? CERTIFICATES HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT: All the registered participants will be issued e-certificates of participation/presentation.
FOR FURTHER QUERIES, PLEASE CONTACT: GIRLUNINTERRUPTED2023@GMAIL.COM San Martin Marg, Bapu Dham, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021 Register here: bit.ly/GirlUninterrupted
