Since the Modern age, democracy stands as the characteristic Western form of government. We cannot consider such a political regime as just one among other possible ways of understanding the organization of power. Rather, it is the accomplishment of a certain culture and a certain anthropological vision. As a matter of fact, in its multifaceted variants, democracy is the most evident outcome of modern political thought, rooted in the theoretical bedrock of the natural law doctrine.

Not being seen for who one is has always been a problem in society; conversely, having difficulty seeing what is hidden beneath surface appearance is a constant challenge. This traditional session will explore how characters’ identities are both concealed and revealed in literature, television, and film. A variety of approaches are possible, including (but not limited to) the questions that follow: When/why do characters find it difficult to let themselves be seen for who they are? When do plots rely on a character’s mysterious identity, and how do both characters in the story and the audience discover (some) of the hidden truths?

CFP: Rethinking South Asia: Postcoloniality & Decolonial Frames and Praxis 

    24th Annual South Asian Literary Association (SALA) Online Conference 

                                    January 18th and 19th, 2025 

Lost and Found in the Long Eighteenth Century
The South Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies and the James Smith Noel Collection invite you to present papers and organize conference panels on being lost and found in the long eighteenth century.  Whether one is lost at sea or lost in thought, finding one’s bearings can bring about new insights and inspirations.  Discovering the answers to the mysteries of existence has led to whole new understandings of the world around and within us -- and whole new speculations about the unseen and unknown.  We look forward to hearing your guiding perspectives.

The Leon Edel Prize is awarded annually for the best essay on Henry James by a beginning scholar.  The prize carries with it an award of $300, and the prize-winning essay will be published in HJR.

The competition is open to applicants who have not held a full-time academic appointment for more than four years. Independent scholars and graduate students are encouraged to apply.

Essays should be 20-30 pages (including notes), original, and not under submission elsewhere or previously published.  Please send electronic submssions in Microsoft Word format and a current CV to hjamesr@creighton.edu.

The early modern world was shaped by significant cultural exchanges between Europe and Asia. This roundtable seeks to broaden the scope of Renaissance studies by exploring the immense contributions of East, Southeast, and South Asia to global developments in Europe and beyond. We invite presenters to examine the dynamic interactions between Asian and European societies, emphasizing the multi-directional flow of ideas, goods, and artistic practices.

Mythos and Masks: Eugene O’Neill in Ancient and Modern Contexts