[csaa-forum] FW: Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, Monash University, 2007 POSTGRADUATE COLLOQUIUM

[Laurie Johnson]

Sent on behalf of Professor Andrew Milner
(Andrew.Milner at arts.monash.edu.au) 

Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies
2007 POSTGRADUATE COLLOQUIUM
Call for Papers

THEORY & CHANGE:
How can theory make a difference?

Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 December
9.00am-5.00pm, Rooms SG01 and SGO2, Manton Rooms, Menzies Building,
Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne.

The Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies organises an
annual Postgraduate Colloquium, where postgraduate students from the
Centre and the wider intellectual community are able to share ideas and
expertise. The Colloquium provides an opportunity for students and
younger academics in particular to demonstrate their enthusiasm for
their specific research areas in a welcoming environment of students and
peers; to obtain and provide feedback, and to hone their ideas for
future publication. At the same time, the Colloquium aims to energize,
provoke debate, and inspire participants to think about their own areas
of interest and research in the context of wider theoretical, social and
community developments.

Students in the areas of Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies and
Critical Theory will be familiar with the scepticism or frank
incomprehension that often greets their work from those who question the
contribution which theory has to make to today's society.  At the same
time, the second half of the twentieth century has seen a greater
reluctance on the part of theorists, philosophers and academics to
commit to the notion that theory can change the world, or that such a
transformation would be desirable. Many critics of this development
argue that it adds to a general narrowing of the field of possibility
for social change, and further entrenches the legitimacy-by-default of
the status quo.

This year's Colloquium encourages participants to situate their research
topic within the context of change on a variety of levels: personal,
political, cultural, social or historical. In this vein, the Colloquium
will include a panel discussion entitled `Can We Begin History?',
focusing on the notion of the `end of history' and  the possibility of
radical historical transformation - see below for more details regarding
this panel. As the prevailing purpose of the Colloquium is to act as a
forum for participants to exchange ideas there is no obligation on
participants to narrow their focus to suit the theme. If you are
interested in delivering a paper at the Colloquium, please contact the
organizers at <Colloquium07 at arts.monash.edu.au> including a 100-150
words abstract setting out the topic of your paper and signaling whether
you intend to tailor it to the proposed theme of the Colloquium.

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: 2007 MONASH CLCS COLLOQUIUM PANEL -
`CAN WE BEGIN HISTORY?'

The `end of history' has been declared by theorists as diverse as Jean
Baudrillaud and Francis Fukuyama. Is this announcement disempowering or
depressing? Is the concept a self-fulfilling prophecy or a rejection of
successive generations of theorists and activists? Is there something
new to be thought beyond capitalism and democracy, and can we
sufficiently escape the clutches of these two systems to think it? Can
we discover the new if our teachers and predecessors train us to think
otherwise? We invite you to discuss personal experiences, goals, and
applications of theoretical study, with a focus on the potential link
between these and the possibility of broader social transformation.

The deadline for paper proposals and expressions of interest in the
Panel is 31 October, 2007. Questions about the Panel, the theme, or any
other aspect of the Colloquium should be sent to: 
<Colloquium07 at arts.monash.edu.au>.


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