[csaa-forum] CFP: Discourses of Distance

[Philip Dearman]

Hi All,

I’m writing to let you know about the forthcoming 5th International 
Language, Communication and Culture Conference, to be held in Castelo 
Branco, Portugal, 28-30 November 2007 (http://lcc2007.ese.ipcb.pt/).

Within that conference I have proposed the following theme: “Discourses 
of Distance: New Media and the Status of Equity in Off Campus Learning”. 
The detail of the session is at 
http://lcc2007.ese.ipcb.pt/p5_themed_sessions.html

This is an opportunity to recount and to bring a critical perspective to 
current reorganisations of distance education. What implications do 
Internet technologies have for access and equity, in the context of 
national and supranational preoccupations with economic development? 
What tools do we have for making sense?

The title of the conference is “‘Post-industrial and infotainment’ 
Cultural Studies: Questions, Possibilities and Positions for Education”. 
The mandate of the conference is to ask the following questions: ‘How 
has cultural studies engaged with the new conditions of economic 
efficiency, with a society and culture colonized by media culture, and 
the authority crises of schools and education? How does cultural studies 
investigate and question the new technologies, the new modes of cultural 
production and circulation and the new forms of political and social 
life in the context of education?’ 
(http://lcc2007.ese.ipcb.pt/p3_conf_mandate.html)

I’m seeking contributions by scholars who can offer a cross-section of 
views on the developing role of Internet technologies in higher 
education, the consequences of that development for “access and equity” 
considerations, and the particular pedagogic and organisational 
challenges involved in distance/distributed learning.

I’m particularly interested in having representation from both developed 
and developing countries. It’s vital that we understand the significant 
role of distance education technologies in the social and economic 
development of countries like South Africa, India, Pakistan, China and 
Mexico, and not just the US, the UK and/or Europe.

If you're interested in contributing to the panel, contact me at one of 
the following:

email: philip.dearman at arts.monash.edu.au
skype: philip_dearman
phone: +61 3 9902 6322

Alternatively, forward this message to anyone or any group/list you 
think may be interested.

Philip Dearman
Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Gippsland Campus