THE PROGRAM IN COMPARATIVE LITERARY AND CULTURAL STUDIES

The University of Connecticut

Crisis in the Academy

Call for Papers - Deadline extended to March 1, 2006

The Program in Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies at the =
University=20
of Connecticut is organizing an interdisciplinary conference on April =
21,=20
2006. Its objective is to launch a broad inquiry and to generate =
systematic=20
reflection about a complex problem, which, though frequently cited and=20
clearly integral to everything we do as scholars and teachers, remains=20
critical and unsolved, in part because it is so difficult to analyze. =
What=20
does it really mean to speak of a "crisis in the academy" in a society =
which=20
gives more and more of its citizens access to four years of schooling in =

comfortable surroundings, protected from the responsibilities and risks =
that=20
others must face in society?
This conference hopes to engage debate on all aspects of higher =
education,=20
including such obvious questions as:

*Why do we teach what we teach? What do we teach when we teach?
*Who are the students and why are they learning?
*How do we teach?
*What are they learning, to what end?
*Do students need to be able to return to learn at different stages of =
life?
*What is the impact upon the academy (and vice versa) of dramatic world=20
events occurring 'outside' it?
*What is the impact of postmodern, virtual, consumer cyber-culture on =
what=20
we persist in calling a 'Liberal Arts Education'? Is such a thing =
obsolete?
*What is the real logic behind academic initiatives such as=20
'inter-disciplinarity', 'diversity' and 'multiculturalism'; how are they =

implemented and to what effect?
*Is the academy simply attempting to downsize, or is it engaging in the=20
rhetoric of political correctness to *increase enrollments and ratings?
*Is the university moving into a predominantly service-oriented role =
with=20
respect to the culture, providing a costly sort of vocational training?
*Why are Americans perceived to be ignorant?
*What does this mean in a society considered to be a world leader in so =
many=20
fields?
*What does contemporary culture really need from its educational=20
institutions?
*What is, should, or should not, be the role of government in higher=20
education?
*Who are making critical decisions regarding admissions, funding, =
staffing,=20
and curricula?

The Conference welcomes papers on any aspect of the question, on any=20
discipline, or any related topic. The deadline for abstracts of 250 =
words including=20
institutional affiliation and contact information has been extended to =
March 1,=20
2006. Abstract should be emailed as in-line text, not as attachments. =
Please=20
send materials to CLCS_at_UConn.edu or Lucy.McNeece_at_UConn.edu.=20

         ==========================================================
              From the Literary Calls for Papers Mailing List
                        CFP_at_english.upenn.edu
                         Full Information at
                     http://cfp.english.upenn.edu
         or write Jennifer Higginbotham: higginbj_at_english.upenn.edu
         ==========================================================
Received on Sat Feb 18 2006 - 10:00:20 EST