theory

Interrogating “Common Language”

Simon Fraser University, Department of English

June 22nd-24th, 2018

Deadline for submissions: April 15, 2018

“English is a West Germanic language that was first spoken in early medieval England and is now a global lingua franca.” – wikipedia.org entry for “English Language” (2018)

“Writers – journalists, essayists, bloggers, poets, playwrights – can disturb the social oppression that functions like a coma on the population, a coma that despots call peace.” – Toni Morrison, Burn This Book (2009)

This panel seeks to find 3-4 strong proposals that would talk about the varied themes of international interest that emerge out of Visniec’s critically acclaimed plays. The political and the social are always strong points of interest as explored by the characters’ dynamic dialogues. Born in Romania, Visniec now lives in France, but his plays are performed internationally. He connects with audiences globally and that is proof of his exquisite writing. The panel also seeks to discuss how theater and performance are much needed in today’s conflicting and violent international context, and how the stage becomes an international platform where we are more than passive members, but instead are transformed by the spectacle. 

The Society for Utopian Studies invites you to submit papers and proposals on the theme, “Disruption, Displacement, and Disorder.” As an interdisciplinary society from its founding, we encourage scholars and practitioners from any academic field to contribute, as well as architects, city planners, artists, musicians whose work relates to utopian thought and possibility, and dystopian realities and visions. Members of intentional communities are also welcome to attend and/or present. Non-theme related papers are welcome.

Abstracts and proposals of up to 250 words for the following:

"Representing Business Communication in Literature across Genres

(Dedicated to Kitty O. Locker, 1948-2005)"

Conference: Modern Language Association Convention

Location: Chicago, IL

Dates: 03–06 January 2019

Full name of organization: Association for Business Communication

Contact email: wbrown@midland.edu 

Due date for abstracts: 07 March 2018

Too often, especially in the United States today, religion is seen as the enemy of socio-political progress and change. But even a cursory glance at U.S. history — the Underground Railroad, the Civil Rights Movement, the Sanctuary Movement — attests to the role religion and religious individuals have played in resistance movements. This panel seeks papers that consider the influence of religion on political activism and protest movements — and not only in America, but globally.