CALL FOR PAPERS
'Ich will anders sein': Difference in Contemporary Germany
A Conference at The University of Nottingham Trent
4th to 6th June 2002
Following our successful conference last September which explored areas of
intersection between the arts and other disciplines such as politics and
history, the German section at NTU plans a second multi- and
interdisciplinary conference focusing this time on aspects of difference in
contemporary Germany. Contributions are welcomed from literary and film
studies, cultural studies, politics, history, linguistics or any other
relevant discipline.
Starting point
* Difference is constructed in the interests of hegemonies: groups or
individuals are marginalized and branded as 'other' in order to curtail
their possible influence. Yet difference can also be a positive marker of
identity, with individuals and groups asserting their separateness in the
face of attempts to eliminate difference. Clearly, norms can both exclude
and level: on the one hand, difference can be imposed; on the other, it can
be defended in the face of standardization.
* Difference is therefore deeply ambivalent. It can be instrument of
power. The ability to establish the normal and the different privileges
certain groups over others. Yet difference can be a means of resisting
power, and ensuring the existence and maintenance of a pluralist society.
Possible areas of investigation
We invite papers which explore aspects of difference, either its 'negative'
or 'positive' aspects, or both of these. We particularly welcome papers
which set their exploration within the following framework:
* How and in whose interests is difference mobilised?
* In which context?
* What mechanisms produce the normal, and how do they function?
* What is normal?
* How and why are norms maintained?
* What is the value and function of difference?
Examples of possible fields/topics
* Concepts of Germanness and non-Germanness (Leitkultur debate,
Verfassungspatriotismus).
* The role played within these concepts by views on Volksdeutsche and
migrants to Germany from Turkey and elsewhere.
* The 'marginalization' of the East German experience, East German
identity and East German interest groups.
* More particularly, the deconstruction and stigmatization of
anti-fascism in a 'west'-dominated united Germany.
* The mainstreaming of the Greens; struggle for political acceptance
on the part of the PDS.
* 'Normalization' debate in Germany, particularly with regard to the
Nazi past.
* Regional identities and regional difference.
* Linguistic and ethnographic representations of difference.
* Mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion enforced by 'canonization'
(e.g. literary canon).
* Migrantenliteratur.
* Recent campaign against 'political literature' (Literaturdebatte).
* Normality/alternative lifestyles.
* Gender difference.
* Hetero-/homosexuality.
* Concepts of class.
* Mainstream/alternative or oppositional film.
* Social mechanisms which underpin difference, e.g. citizenship law.
Proposals
Proposals ñ in either English or German ñ should be between 150 and 200
words in length. Closing date for receipt of proposals is 15th August 2001.
Please send your proposals in the first instance to either Bill Niven or Jim
Jordan at the following address:
Department of Modern Languages
Faculty of Humanities
The Nottingham Trent University
Clifton Campus
Clifton Lane
NOTTINGHAM NG11 8NS
Alternatively, proposals can be sent by email to:
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Finally, proposals can also be sent by fax to:
(0044) (0) 115 848 6668
Please note that publication of papers, or of a selection of these, is
planned.
Bill Niven, Jim Jordan, 5th April 2001
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