cfp.english.upenn.edu

The body remains a preeminent place of reading in feminist theory, past and present. But, we wish to complete a feminist examination of those areas of research that speak of movements beyond the physical body. This project seeks papers that examine feminist literary characters that negotiate multiple borders and identities. What borders exist to be transgressed? What are the consequences (mental, physical, social) of transgressing these borders? What is specifically feminist in the act of crossing a border, any border that exists?

We are looking to put together 10-12 essays (which we will edit, introduce, and conclude) with the following sub-categories:

1. Spiritual Borders
This section might study the crossing of mental and religious borders between individuals and groups/or institutions. Topics such as possession, individual versus community agency and familial ties would be addressed.
2. Social Borders
This section might consider the traversing of socially constructed lines that influence status, comportment, and social determinations. We are specifically interested in those projects that analyze literary works in which there are transgressions of identities of gender and sexuality.
3. Cultural Borders
This section will examine the literary consequences of crossing seemingly distinct ethnic and/or racial borders.

The collection welcomes projects that explore works in all languages; however, we do request that the author translate all excerpts in foreign languages into English. Submitted works must be original and never been published in any form, or are under consideration by other publishers.

Please submit an abstract of 350 words, along with a 50-word author biography by December 1, 2010 to feministmigrations@gmail.com. Successful contributors will be notified by February 2011.