CFP: Young Scholars' 2024 Conference Panel - Representations of Animal Bodies and the More-than-Human World

 

This online panel is being organized for the upcoming hybrid Young Scholars’ Conference on “Legal bodies, embodied subjects: (re)contextualisations of physicality.” Please note that the conference will be held in CET time zone. As such, the panel, while entirely online, will also adhere to CET time zone.

The animal body is integral to discussions of the human body. Out of the Victorian period, for instance, came Darwin’s The Descent of Man that challenged conceptions pertaining to the divide between humans and animals and ideals that enforced the superiority of humankind over “lesser” creatures. In other words, out of the Victorian period came an ever-pressing conceptualization of humankind that no longer vastly distinguished the human body from the animal body. Working in tandem with the conference’s focus on bodies and embodied subjects, this panel, titled “Representations of Animal Bodies and the More-than-Human World," seeks to foreground non-human animal bodies as its object of focus in order to destabilize an otherwise anthropocentrically narrowed viewpoint on bodies, one that excludes our non-human animal counterparts.

Ultimately, this panel seeks to reimagine the ways in which representations of animals in Victorian literature contributed to and/or challenged sentiments surrounding animal welfare and animal rights. Specifically, we ask that papers consider various types of literature (i.e., children’s literature, animal autobiography, realism, gothic literature, etc.) published during the nineteenth century in relation to expressions and representations of animals and their bodies that portray them as marginalized ‘others’ or, according to Carol J. Adams in The Sexual Politics of Meat, “absent referents.”

Papers may consider (but are not limited to) the following topics:

• vivisection;
• definitions of cruelty as depicted in women’s writing on animals;
• sympathy and care towards animals;
• animal welfare and animal rights;
• studies on pets, working animals, and/or wild animals;
• talking animals/anthropomorphism in children’s literature or literature marketed towards children;
• taxidermy;
• monstrous ‘others’, blurring of human-animal.

We welcome proposals for papers 15-20 minutes long on any of the topics above. Please send proposals of no more than 200-300 words, the title of the paper, your time zone, and a brief (30-50 word) biography to Liayana Jondy (18lj9@queensu.ca). If you have any questions about the panel, please feel free to reach out via email.

Deadline for proposals: January 24th, 2024

Liayana Jondy

18lj9@queensu.ca

CALL FOR PAPERS : #Environmental #activism, #Decoloniality and #Literature of the Global #South - #Springer, #Duke #University #Press, #Cambridge #University Press

Goutam Karmakar, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa

Sule Emmanuel Egya,  Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria

The frequently discussed topics of environmental degradation, increasing issues with climate change, and planetary hazards in modern times can be traced back to the historical contexts of colonialism and capitalism. Within the framework of colonialism, which flourished due to the dominant circumstances surrounding capital's production (O’connor, 1994, p. 8), the environmental domain became structured only within the context of commodification. The civilizational aims of colonialism considered the ecological world as an inorganic and immaterial entity, functioning solely to supply affordable raw materials and serve as territories for colonial ‘markets’ (Krishnaswami, 1992, p. 81). The widespread impact of the epistemology of Western modernity, which promotes Eurocentric interpretations of capitalist advancement, has resulted in the implementation of an objectifying ethical framework. This framework has led to the systematic disintegration of the interconnectedness between humans and nature, as well as the marginalization of indigenous epistemic structures that prioritize the importance of the natural world and its integral role in the interconnectedness of all life forms. The exploitation and destruction of nature and ecosystems have occurred within the framework of colonial capitalism, where the subjugation of the “savage state of nature” (Simpson, 2020, p. 58) has been a notable characteristic of European civilization, with a ‘rationale’ that this process has been seen as essential for the progress of both the economy and culture. Thus, the prevalence of exploitation, extraction, and commercialization was pervasive throughout settler colonies and countries of the Global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania) during the era of European colonization, leading to the exacerbation of severe forms of colonial ecological violence.

Given this context, it is edifying to delve into the discussion surrounding the notion of the "Anthropocene." This term refers to the period starting in the nineteenth century when human activity began to exert significant influence on the ecosystems of the planet, leading to detrimental effects. The concept of the Anthropocene, often known as the "age of the humans," as explained by Crutzen and Stoemer (2000, p. 12), may primarily be attributed to the First Industrial Revolution. The advent of industrialization, the emission of greenhouse gases, and the extensive utilization of coal throughout this period disrupted the equilibrium of the ecosystem, leading to a steady deterioration of the planet across various dimensions. It is the indigenous communities and individuals residing in rural and socioeconomically poor regions of the Global South who are disproportionately affected and suffer the most severe consequences, like facing environmental hazards, living with environmental toxicity, and climate-induced migration. According to a 2018 report published by the World Bank Group, failure to carefully consider and implement appropriate measures to address climate degradation could result in the displacement of millions of individuals in developing regions such as the Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America within the next two decades. In many cases, these communities experience ‘climate colonialism,’ which denotes the utilization of resources and authority by countries in the Global North when addressing climate change, environmental regulations, and ‘climate apartheid’ (Bandera, 2022) which pertains to the inequitable impact of climate change on affluent and non-affluent individuals and nations.

Indigenous and marginalized communities worldwide, along with youth climate leaders and activists from various countries including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, India, Peru, Senegal, Togo, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Namibia, the Philippines, and the Marshall Islands, among others, engage in open discussion with those in power, sharing their narratives and advocating for epistemic, economic, racial, and environmental justice. Individuals residing in the Global South, encompassing regions such as Argentina, Asia, and Africa, are urging others worldwide to participate in a collective global endeavour aimed at advocating for equitable climate change policies. Initiatives such as the 'Debt for Climate!' programme, round-table discussions and summits focusing on the intersection of environment and development, as well as various environmental movements within countries of the Global South, serve as evidence that activists from these regions are dedicated to addressing environmental injustice and the climate crisis through the perspective of human rights. This symbolizes how this commitment persists despite the considerable challenges that lie ahead. While these instances of ‘collective action and environmental activism’ (Lubell, 2002) deserve greater attention, public intellectuals and writers from nations in the Global South endeavour to raise awareness about these matters through their literary works, public lectures, and academic involvements. In particular, writers have, through the instrument of literary aesthetics, historicized ideas, practices, and incidents of environmental activism, resulting to a growing archive of decolonial literary discourse in the Global South.

The critical cognitive necessity of our current era includes the exploration of the archive of literary discourse from the Global South that addresses issues such as environmental racism, injustice, extraction, toxicity, the climate crisis, colonial ecological violence, and forced migration resulting from climate catastrophes. This exploration seeks to situate the deterioration of the environment in relation to social and epistemological inequities. Furthermore, it promotes the adoption of decolonial ecological praxis as a means to effectively address and combat these pressing issues. Within this particular framework, literary narratives serve as a means of actively engaging with the environment, while decolonial ecological practices seek to restore neglected indigenous knowledge systems, foster diverse initiatives aimed at mitigating global ecological challenges (Ferdinand, 2022, p. 175), and cultivate a sense of "collective ethics" (Serres, 1995, p. 78) in response to the vulnerability of our world.

This volume aims to examine the interconnectedness of environmental activism and decoloniality within the context of literature from the Global South. It seeks to challenge the dominant knowledge systems imposed by Western powers and capitalist interests while also recognizing the diverse and multiple forms of ecological knowledge. By doing so, this volume would promote a collective and sustainable approach to planetary survival, and we invite chapter proposals that address the following (but not limited to) issues in respect to the literature of the Global South:

• Environmental activism and decoloniality
• Activism and sustainability
• Environmental ethics and planetarity
• Subaltern environmentalism and decoloniality
• Extractive ecologies and decoloniality
• Decolonizing eco-imaginations of the Global South
• Decolonial ecologies and indigenous knowledge systems
• Colonial ecological violence and activism
• Environmental activism and (in)justice
• Eco-precarity and decoloniality
• Environmental activism and human values
• Climate change and decoloniality
• The coloniality of Anthropocene
• Decolonial marine ecology

We solicit abstract/chapter proposal of 400 words along with a bio-note of 50 words in a single MS Word file, which should be submitted by February 15, 2024 to goutamkrmkr@gmail.com and  seegya@ibbu.edu.ng 

We are in contact with Springer, Duke University Press, and Cambridge University Press regarding the publication of this volume.

CFP: #Environmental #Racism and #Environmental #Casteism: A Reading of #African #American and #Indian #Dalit #Literature- #Springer Publications

Environmental injustice or Environmental discrimination or Environmental inequality occurs when a certain powerful and dominant group of people has a hold of environmental resources and the marginalized community is deliberately left to live on the leftovers or scarcity. This scarcity is a marker of the status of the marginalized groups/communities in the world. Nature never discriminates among its individuals because of race, caste, creed, class, gender, skin color, etc. However, power politics in the ‘world-society’ set-up leads to injustice and inequality of resources. The articulation of environmental injustice finds its articulation in literary spaces which forms an imperative focus of the various organizations and institutions and thus cannot be ignored. The present work explores and investigates the expression and articulation of environmental inequality in literature in the context of environmental racism and environmental casteism. Environmental racism and environmental casteism is a form of ‘institutional discrimination’ which leads to the domination of white/upper castes on the environmental resources and disposal of harmful waste in communities of colour and low castes.

Everyone has the right to enjoy the bounties of nature. One should not be distanced from fresh water and air because of skin colour, race, caste, class, gender or creed. Every government must take care of the basic needs of the citizens without being biased. Unfortunately, since they arrived in the New World, blacks have not only been exposed to political and social exclusion but also to environmental threats. Racist policies of the dominant white society ensured that blacks stayed in vulnerable neighbourhoods and localities from slavery till the present. On the other hand, whites have been enjoying more healthy and clean surroundings thereby giving birth to the idea of white being clean and black being dirty, as Carl Zimring puts it. Subsequently, blacks succumb to diseases, death, and disintegration, both physically and psychologically. After the enactment of civil rights, one comes across a new agitation rampant in American streets. This movement was largely organized by blacks along with other marginalized groups such as native Indians, Hispanics, and Asian Americans. These groups were demanding Environmental Justice. They argued that white America had not treated them well. Their neighbourhoods were converted into junkyards of industrial waste; consequently, their existence was at stake. They were fighting for political representation so that they could decide their fate. The protest aimed to stop the dumping of industrial waste due to which they and their children had become vulnerable to diseases and death.

African American writers demonstrate through their writings blacks struggle for the basic amenities of life which were not possible because of dirty and unhygienic environment. They, at times covertly and at other times overtly, demand and plead for Environmental Justice for their characters, thereby for the entire black community. They highlight how blacks thrive physically, materially, and spiritually once their vicinity is changed to a neat and clean surrounding.

The environmental movements that are popular at present are mostly Eurocentric and/or dominated by the concerns of whites. All the major environmental movements have somewhat marginalized the communities and people on the fringes of society, like blacks, Hispanics, and other ethnic groups, by focusing only on the mainstream Western culture. In recent times, there has been an attempt to provide a counter-narrative to Eurocentric environmental movements by writers and researchers like Carl Zimring, Robert Bullard, Luke Cole and Sheila Foster, Carolyn Finney, Dorceta Taylor, Harriet Washington, etc. Similarly, African American writers like Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Richard Wright, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Ishmael Reed, Fredric Doughlas, Alex Haley, etc., have also challenged the mainstream environmental movements through their writing—by unveiling the acts of environmental racism perpetrated against black communities. 

Dalits in India form the most neglected and marginalized section in India because of ‘casteism’ and ‘caste system’. ‘Dalit’ is a Sanskrit word which means crushed, broken, oppressed, etc.  It is a self-adopted term by the scheduled castes of India as this marginalized section of Indian society feels that terms like ‘Ati[1]Shudra’, ‘Scheduled Castes’ or ‘depressed classes,’ etc., connote ‘derogation’. According to Sukhadeo Thorat, the problem of Dalits is socio-cultural-political as: “they occupy a low position in the Hindu social structure; their representation in government services is inadequate; they are inadequately represented in the fields of trade, commerce and industry; they suffer from social and physical isolation from the rest of the community, and there is general lack of education development amongst the major section of this community” (Dalits in India 2). However, this social, cultural, and political marginalization forms an undeniable link with environmental casteism. Manual scavenging, cleaning the dirt and menial jobs are forced on Dalits due to caste divisions. Access to natural resources such as clean air, clean water, healthy living, etc., is denied to them which results in environmental casteism. Hence, the issue of Dalits is socio-cultural-political-ecological in nature. Many Dalits writers like Baby Kamble, Urmila Pawar, Bama, Viramma, Om Prakash Valmiki, Balbir Madhopuri, Sharankumar Limbale, Kancha Illaiah, Daya Pawar, Jyoti Lanjewar, Hira Bansode, etc., in their writings, have represented the Dalits’ socio-ecological derogation and lived experiences of discrimination because of environmental casteism. Many prominent Dalit leaders and reformers like Jyotirao Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Periyar, etc., have found that caste ideology and caste structures give rise to environmental casteism and domination by the few. They worked towards better living conditions for Dalits persistently and relentlessly. Many critics like Joel Lee, Mukul Sharma, etc., have affirmed that Indian environmental movements and academic environmental histories are dominated by mainstream and are fixed in casteism which has overlooked the unfair distribution of natural resources. This results in environmental casteism faced by Dalits unaddressed both in literary as well as public discourse.

 

 The edited book will be divided into two parts:

Part one will have the following sub-categories (The possible topics might include but are not limited to): 

• African American environmentalism
• African American aesthetics and the environment
• Environment as African American solace
• African Americans and environmental injustice
• African Americans and the environmental crisis
• African American identity and the environment
• African Americans and eco-racism
• African American poverty and the environment
• African Americans, religion, and the environment
• African Americans, culture, and the environment
• African Americans and democratization of environmental resources
• African American leaders’ legacy and the environment
• African American women and the environment

Part two will have the following sub-categories (The possible topics might include but are not limited to):

• Dalit environmentalism
• Dalit aesthetics and the environment
• Environment as Dalit solace
• Dalits and environmental injustice
• Dalits and the environmental crisis
• Dalit identity and the environment
• Dalits and eco-casteism
• Dalit poverty and the environment
• Dalits, religion, and the environment
• Dalits, culture, and the environment
• Dalits and democratization of environmental resources
• Dalits leaders’ legacy and the environment
• Dalit women and the environment

 The book aims to chart out the literary discourse around the sub-themes. Therefore, all these sub-themes are to be addressed through literature.

The work will be an edited book. Writers and activists, scholars, and academicians are invited to contribute their papers/articles for the project.

Abstracts (250-300 words) in English with a short bio note (50 words) as a Word document or pdf must be emailed to: shubhankukochar@outlook.com, by January 05, 2024.

 

The date has been extended to January 05, 2023

  -Note:  Springer has shown interest in publishing this book 

Editors:

1. 1.      Name : Shubhanku Kochar (Ph. D)

Affiliation: Department of English, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Dwarka, India.

 

1. 2.       Name : Parveen Kumari (Ph.D)
   Affiliation: Department of English, Central University of Jammu, Jammu, India.

Call for Book Chapters: Voices Unveiled: Women in Literary Landscapes-March, 2024

The profound and transformative impact of women in literary landscapes cannot be overstated. Women writers have not only enriched the literary canon with their unique voices and perspectives but also challenged societal norms, broadening the scope of narratives. Their contributions span diverse genres, historical periods, and cultural contexts, unveiling hidden stories and reshaping the literary terrain. From advocating for social change to expressing nuanced experiences, the influence of women in literature is an indispensable force that continues to shape our understanding of the human experience.

It is with great enthusiasm that we announce a call for book chapters that explore the multifaceted relationship between women and literature. This upcoming edited volume aims to delve into the diverse roles, representations, and contributions of women in literary works across genres, cultures, and historical periods.

Scope and Focus:

We invite contributions that analyze, critique, or celebrate the portrayal of women in literature. Potential topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Representation of women in classic and contemporary literature
• Feminist perspectives in literary works
• Women writers and their impact on literary movements
• Gender dynamics and power structures in literature
• Women and linguistic and cultural influence
• Masculinity/ Male gaze and womanhood
• Intersectionality: exploring race, class, sexuality, and other identities in women’s literature
• Women as readers, critics, and consumers of literature
• Challenges and triumphs of women authors in the literary world
• Women and the partition/post-partition literature

Submission Guidelines:

The proposed chapters must be authentic and not previously published. The chapter length should span between 5,000 to 8,000 words (including references), utilizing Times New Roman font size 12 with double spacing in between lines. References and citations should follow the MLA Handbook's guidelines (9th Edition) without incorporating any footnotes but instead containing end notes. A statement declaring that the work is an original piece that has not been published elsewhere or is under consideration for publication must be included.

Additionally, an abstract of no more than 500 words with five keywords should be provided alongside a short biographical note about the contributor/s indicating their name(s), institutional affiliation(s), brief career history, postal address(es), contact address(es) (both personal and office), and email id as a single attachment.

Kindly forward submissions to editorwomenlit2024@gmail.com

Important Dates:

Abstract Submission Deadline: 05 January, 2024

Notification of Acceptance: 10 January, 2024

Full Chapter Submission Deadline: 1st February, 2024

Anticipated Publication: 15 March, 2024

Editorial Team:

Nadeem Jahangir Bhat

Assistant Professor

University of Kashmir

Hazratbal Srinagar-190006

Jammu and Kashmir

nadeem8384@gmail.com

Dr Shabina Fatima

Assistant Professor

Government College Khaniyadhana,

Shivpuri, MP – 473990

shabinafatima84@gmail.com

About the Publisher:

The book will be published by a reputed publisher known for its commitment to scholarly excellence and contributions to the field of literature.

Note: Each contributor will get a copy of the book at nominal cost. No other charges will be applied.

We look forward to receiving your insightful contributions that will contribute to a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic relationship between women and literature.

CFA: E-SHORT TERM COURSE The Art of Writing Research Articles and Scholarly Publications in English Language and Literature (SPELL) Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (DoHSS) NIT Hamirpur, Organized by Online Platform (29 Jan- 2 Feb 2024)

 

About the e-STC

The process of quality research is useful if it sees the dawn of publication. Hence, getting a paper published in a reputable journal is an important milestone for researchers. Publication must be seen as an important, if not the most important, part of quality research process. However, writing research papers for academic journals is not easy and is also very competitive. This short-term course is an attempt to address the issues related to writing and communicating research papers.

 The short-term course aims to train the participants about the systematic process involved in converting a particular research work

into a publishable manuscript, which can be communicated to a reputed journal for publication. The short-term course aims to enable the participating researchers and scholars to plan and prepare research publications suitable for world recognized journals (SSCI/

AHCI/Scopus with High Impact Factor). Hands-on experience will be provided on important components of a research paper. Many important tips would be shared to deliver the content smartly in shorter as well as longer run in career as a researcher and academician. Content of the short-term course has been designed to avoid some pitfalls in publication journey and become ready as a skillful researcher and author to match expectations of quality publications. The short-term course would be useful for the professional development of faculties, trainers,researchers, and professionals.

Objectives of the e-STC

• To familiarize the participants with the general structure and elements of a research article.
•  To deal with the issues and challenges of preparing and writing a research manuscript suitable for publication in SSCI/ AHCI/Scopus indexed journals
• To understand the review process and to accommodate reviewers’ perspective leading to successful publication

About the Department
The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences has an interdisciplinary orientation and expertise in diversified fields of Economics, English, Psychology and Sociology. The diversity of the curricula offered by the department provides the students with a foundational base of skills that can be used not only in the classroom, but to master challenges in globalized dynamic and competitive markets. This is done through a plethora of channels including lectures, talks, case studies, research projects, group discussion, workshops, seminars etc. Faculty members possess a blend of academic and professional experience which facilitates disseminating of knowledge to the students through both classroom sessions and independent student activities.

OUR DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS

Prof. Nagendra Kumar
Dept. of HSS
IIT Roorkee
OUR DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS
Prof. Avishek Parui
Dept. of HSS
IIT Madras

Prof. Priyanka Tripathi
Dept. of HSS
IIT Patna

Prof. Madhumathi P.
Dept. of English
RGNIYD, Tamil Nadu

Dr. Preeti Puri
Dept. of HSS
NIT Hamirpur

Prof. Nirmala Menon
School of HSS
IIT Indore

Prof. Akshaya Kumar
Dept. of ECS
Panjab University

Prof. Nikhika. H.
Dept. of Film Studies
The EFL-University

Prof. Sathyaraj Venkatesan
Dept. of HSS
NIT Tiruchirappalli

REGISTRATION
Registration is compulsory for all the participants. The registration fee is non-refundable.
Rs. 500/- for the participants from Academia/R&D Lab
Rs. 200/- for students
Rs. 1000/- for participants from industry
After paying the fee, participants must fill the Google form to complete the registration process.
To pay through SBI Collect select the following options;
(State of institution- Himachal Pradesh, Type of institution - Educational Institutions, Educational Institutions name – NIT Hamirpur, Payment Category - “Workshop/STC/FDP/Conference”)
*Note- Use short form SPELL word in the Title of STC while filling the form.
Both Registration fee and Google form is compulsory for complete registration.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTSst date of Registration:

There is a limit for this e-STC.
Applications will be accepted on first cum-first serve basis.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

Faculty Members, Research Scholars, Post-graduate &
Graduate students, Industry Professionals.


Last date of Registration:

24 January 2024 by 05.00 PM

Registration Link

https://forms.gle/hXyjgMJENncLNAC3A

For any query, you may
contact:
Dr. Preeti Puri
email: preetihss@nith.ac.in
Mobile No. 08219537460
Dr. Zareena. J. M
email: zareena@nith.ac.in

CFP: International Conference on #Radical Thought in the #Anthropocene – #Theories & #Concepts of #Critical #Theory - University of Graz

 CALL FOR PAPERS

What is critique? What can Critical Theory do for society? Which forms of critique may claim any relevance in late capitalism? How can a critical public opinion manifest itself in the 21st century? How can we distinguish critique from political ideologies and conspiracy theories? (see Fridays for Future, Querdenker, etc.) What characterises critical thinking? How can radical thought be rendered practically relevant?

The conference Theories and Concepts of Critical Theory takes place between 26 and 28 June 2025 at the University of Graz, and it approaches its main theme from various theoretical and practical perspectives. Based at the Faculty of Humanities, this interdisciplinary conference constitutes the second stage of the interdepartmental research project Radical Thought in the Anthropocene. The conference follows on from a first event that took place in 2023 and which was dedicated to different disciplinary approaches to Critical Theory.

We will bring the concept and idea of critique into productive constellations with a variety of concepts and categories pertaining to social and cultural theory. In doing so, and by highlighting fundamental societal and existential challenges of the 21st century, we will reflect upon the possibilities and potentials of a productive critique of society, especially concerning its implications for academic theory and lived practice. In view of the great global, societal, ecological and economic challenges, we will put to the test the social significance and practical relevance of cultural and social theory in the 21st century.

Keynotes

•

Rodrigo Duarte,

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

•

Lydia Goehr,

New York City, USA

•

Sven Kramer,

Lüneburg, Germany

•

Michael Thompson,

New York City, USA

Conference Board (University of Graz)

•

Stefan Baumgarten,

Department of Translation Studies

•

Stefan Brandt,

Department of American Studies

•

Juliane Jarke,

BANDAS Center & Department of Sociology

•

Susanne Kogler,

Department of Art and Musicology

•

Sonja Rinofner-Kreidl,

Department of Philosophy

Format

The conference is held in a workshop format. Incoming abstracts will be assigned to the following three corresponding themes:

Workshop I: Language, Translation, Society

This workshop compares and contrasts diverse forms and concepts of critique and communication, examining their viability in view of current societal challenges such as multiculturalism, multilingualism, migration and modern communication technologies. Amongst other things, we will address cultural readings and language-specific receptions of the first generation of the Frankfurt School, especially concerning their historicity, timeliness and their ‘afterlife’. We will also pay special attention to ideology critique and to critical approaches on technology. Further relevant categories include phenomena such as inter- and transculturality, deconstruction and text, medialisation and multimodality, globalisation and (digital) cultures as well as gender-specific issues.

•

Workshop II: Materialism, Aesthetics, Politics

The question surrounding (artistic) ‘material’ concerns one of the key themes associated with Theodor W. Adorno’s aesthetic theory. It is also of central importance regarding the current reception of Critical Theory. Such questions surrounding the status, nature and conceptualisation of the material world not only challenge the Marxist origins of Critical Theory but also its concrete political and practical relevance. In this workshop, we will compare and contrast approaches in Critical Philosophy and Critical Social Theory, as well as approaches pertaining to (Historical) Materialism and (Neo-)Idealism. Of particular interest here is the relationship between New Materialisms and Critical Theory. Further relevant topics include (world) literature, digitalization and mediatisation, art and freedom (from ideology), (artistic) activism and politics.

•

Workshop III: Humans, Spirit, World Relation

This workshop deals with the relationship between science and critique. Here, the role of the Humanities for critical thinking and the role of lived practice with positive future implications will be debated from self-reflexive and self-critical standpoints. Among other things, we will discuss in what ways scientific and academic thought echoes conceptualisations, theories and arguments from Critical Theory, and how science might be able to adapt them for a better life, for a radical “wild thinking” that may generate alternative realities, art worlds, even anarchist constellations. Dichotomous thinking, post- and transhumanist ontologies as well as Anthropology and History are further possible themes. The relationship between critique, reason and unreason, as well as between critique, indignation and resistance about the state of (world) social affairs will also be up for discussion.

We look forward to receiving abstracts (max. 300 words) for 20-minute presentations on the above-mentioned topics and themes by 20 February 2024 under radikalesdenken(at)uni-graz.at. We are particularly looking forward to receiving contributions from doctoral candidates and early-career researchers! The abstracts must be submitted in anonymised form in English including a mini-biography (approx. 100 words).

The Conference Board will accept abstracts based on an anonymous selection procedure. Acceptance letters will be sent out in spring 2024. The conference will be streamed online. Selected contributions are expected to be published in English by Palgrave Macmillan.

Contact Information

radikalesdenken@uni-graz.at

Contact Email

stefan.brandt@uni-graz.at

CFP: Two Day ICSSR sponsored #International #Seminar on #Myth, #History and #Culture- 22-23 Jan 2024-DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH,BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY, VARANASI

 

Abstract

“Myths get thought in man unbeknownst to him” (Levi Strauss), thus opening new dimensions of understanding life. Although, for modern societies, the term “myth” stands for an imaginary tale, an untrue story, a legend, a superstition etc. for ancient societies who existed before written culture, myths were narrations of “the ultimate origin of reality” and were not tales but true stories. This fact indicates that mythology remains an essential area of interest for humanities like history, culture, philosophy, psychology, sociology and socio-cultural anthropology, whose practices developed within the framework of rituals, myths, customs and traditions, indicating that myth and mythology have pervaded into daily life, that they have turned into a reference guide, sometimes due to their guiding spirit and sometimes by being a tool for social control. Orient and Occident myths help us understand the culture and history of a particular people. For example, the study of Indian and Greek mythology can tell us a great deal about the values and beliefs of the ancient Indians and Greeks. It can help us understand the world around us providing explanations for things that we may not be able to comprehend. Many myths and legends try to explain allegorically natural phenomena, such as the changing of the seasons or the movement of the stars. Whether we realize it or not, mythology is still a part of our world. By understanding mythology, we can better understand ourselves and the world around us. Without the knowledge of mythology and iconography, the history of art can not be interpreted, nor could art criticism be done.

Through the proposed seminar, we will be able to explore the multiple dimensions that myths open

for us and how myths can be read inter-textually and inter-disciplinarily and help us understand our history, tradition and culture.

Concept Note

It It is often believed that mythology is a thing of the past, no longer relevant in our modern world. However, this could not be further from the truth. Mythology can help us understand the world around us in several ways. Every culture has its myths and legends, and these stories can teach us a lot about where we come from and what our beliefs are. By learning about the myths and legends of other cultures, we can get a better understanding of their history and their values.

Everyday experiences of modern societies, like our ancient counterparts, are shaped by folklore

and mythical discourse. Both as an individual and as a society, human experience is not only associated with its immediate physical and social environment and offers allegorical and metaphorical narratives. These stories from both the distant and near past have been influencing the political ideology of societies and reinforcing the cultural responses to particular facts and events. In his ground-breaking work Mythologies, Roland Barthes showed how the instruments of mass culture transformed the mere objects of everyday life into symbols and how a mythologist can decipher these symbolic meanings (Leak 1994). Throughout historical and cultural developments, human beings have attributed divine interpretations to the factors influencing them. By attributing such meanings to natural forces that were superior to them, humans also adopted the habit of structuring and symbolization. From worshipping Sheetala Mata during chicken-pox, measles and small-pox outbreaks to the rise of Corona Mata during covid-19 pandemic, depending on the geographic and cultural context, humans developed solutions for inexplicable events or situations such as illnesses. Traditional ecological knowledge is often transferred through religious rituals, Vrata Kathas and oral narratives. To specify, humans sought genuine solutions employing the daily practices and rituals they structured around the myths and legends, which were transmitted to them through cultural heritage.

One of the strategies to explore mythical narratives is to give an allegorical interpretation to texts, which is to apply ‘a metaphoric mode of understanding’ to the stories that do not have ‘metaphorical language’ (Gibbs 2011). This strategy has long been used in the interpretation of myths, such as Homeric poems, religious texts, such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Old Testament, and modern novels, like George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm (Ritchie 2017).

Metaphorical lore, archetypes and allegories still shape our discourse on themes like eco-spirituality, gender and caste inequality, and racism. Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex was a transforming book deciphering the complex and oppressive myths about female identity (Le Doeuff & Dow 2010) while Edward Said’s Orientalism criticized the Eurocentric History and deciphered the myths of colonialism about ‘the Orient’ (Young 2004).

Legends and symbols are not discoveries that ancient societies carried out on their own; rather, they are the products of a cultural whole transmitted through generations. In this way, some of these creations spread to lands far away from their root soils, like the myth of Lord Hanuman travelled to Mauritius with the girmitiyas and was absorbed in the local milieu. Storytelling is a timeless art form that has been used to entertain, inform, and educate audiences for centuries.

Many modern stories, films, and TV shows draw inspiration from mythology, incorporating elements of myth to make it more compelling and interesting by adding another layer of meaning to it.

The interaction between literature and mythology offers another interesting paradigm by shaping modern literary texts. The mythological characters of ancient South Asia, Egypt, Greece and Rome may seem exaggerated to the modern reader but by tracing the historical journey of literature, we can infer myths and legends that initially inspired tragedies and morals. From this perspective, mythology offers an essential reference for modern literature. Within the literary framework, almost all writers apply myths, mythical characters and related archetypes in their narrative for various purposes. Thus, it is difficult to understand T.S. Eliot’s The Wasteland without understanding of Orient, Occident and Biblical myths. There are some basic similarities and differences between Orient and Occident myths. In the East, the highest priority is the society, and the individual's submission to his role within that society; in the West, priority is given to the individual, his uniqueness and his freedom from obligation to any ideology or social status but what he may choose. Therefore, Plato appealed to mythos as a pedagogical means for imparting his views through the Dialogues. On the other hand, along with the transition from mythopoetic thought to cosmological arguments, irreversible diffraction occurred in the history of ideas, and philosophy parted ways with mythos for a certain while. 

Centuries later, however, many theorists in both clinical psychology and contemporary philosophy made use of myth as a symbolic means of expression and pioneered a “mythic turn” in the social sciences. 

To conclude, mythology forms an important part of culture, history and identity. Along with cultural and historical discourse, it can also be used to entertain and inspire people by exploring the deep, hidden aspects of human nature. Moreover, myths help us understand the human condition by providing us with stories and characters that we can identify with. We all have aspects of our personality that we are not proud of, and it can be helpful to see these aspects reflected in a mythological character. The myths of good and evil, and how these forces interact provide a better understanding of the world we live in and the people who inhabit it. This seminar would offer a confluence of scholars from across India and also from abroad to offer insight and share their views. Similar myths, symbols and motifs across cultures will help bridge cultural differences among various communities.

References

Gibbs, Roland. 2011. The allegorical impulse. Metaphor and Symbol, 26, 121–130.

Le Doeuff, Michèle and Dow, Suzanne. 2010. Beauvoir the Mythoclast. Paragraph, 33, 1, 90-104.

Leak, Andrew. 1994. Barthes, Mythologies. London: Grant and Cutler.

Ritchie, David. 2017. Metaphorical Stories in Discourse. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Young, Robert. 2004. White Mythologies (2nd ed.). Routledge.

IMPORTANT DATES

Abstract submission - 28th Dec 

Abstract acceptance - 2nd Jan 2024

Registration Opens -3rd Jan 2024

Payment deadline - 10 Jan 2024

Full paper deadline - 15 Jan 2024

Conference date - 22-23 Jan 2024

Registration Charges

Faculty and Academicians 1500 INR

Research Scholar 1000 INR

Students 800 INR

International Participants 25 USD

Venue : Seminar Hall,VASANT KANYA MAHAVIDYALAYA

KAMACHHA, VARANASI-221010

(Admitted to the privileges of Banaras Hindu university)

(Institution Accredited 'A' by NAAC)

 

Submission Link

https://forms.gle/Eq4yfU2Sbxz9hs8YA

 Organized by

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

VASANT KANYA MAHAVIDYALAYA

KAMACHHA, VARANASI-221010

(Admitted to the privileges of Banaras Hindu university)

Convener:

Dr. Purnima

Email: Seminarengvkm@vkm.org.in