The Department of German, University of Leeds

Innovation and Recycling in German Culture, Society, and Politics in the
21st Century

Postgraduate Conference, Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th December 2007

Keynote speakers: Professor Stephen Brockmann (Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh)
and Professor Bill Niven (Nottingham Trent)

Bringing together postgraduate researchers from across the UK, this
conference will consider the way in which Germany is being (re)defined in
the 21st century through its culture, society and politics. The
interdisciplinary forum will interrogate contemporary discourses, asking if
they signal a break with the past, illustrate continuities, or suggest new
trends. To what extent are themes and issues in contemporary German culture
'genuinely' new? Do they mark Wendepunkte in German cultural history? Or are
they simply evidence of a recycling of the past? What is the relationship
between recycling and innovation? How might we conceptualise change?

Papers are welcome from postgraduates working in all fields of German
Studies. The languages of the conference are English and German. Publication
of the conference proceedings is under discussion.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

    * German wartime suffering
    * the 'memorialisation' of the German past
    * cinematic engagements with the divided nation from the perspective of
a unified Germany
    * 'coming to terms' with the GDR past
    * the construction of the 'normal' nation
    * displays of patriotism in contemporary German society
    * the position of Germany in international politics and its role in an
expanding European Union
    * representations of diaspora in post-millennial film and literature
    * the location of Heimat in the 'Berlin Republic'
    * emerging writers' engagement with their role as author

Proposals of 300 words for papers of 20 minutes that explore any of the
themes outlined above or are considered relevant to the scope of enquiry
should be emailed to the organising committee by 20th August 2007 at:
[log in to unmask]

NB: Subject to a successful funding bid to the AHRC, it is hoped to offer
accommodation and travel bursaries for delegates giving papers. Please check
the conference website (see below) regularly for updates.

Also featuring:

    * Workshop on 'Getting Published' run by German Life and Letters, in
conjunction with the University of Leeds' Staff and Departmental Development
Unit
    * Short film showing
    * Conference social in Leeds

Registration:

Registration deadline for those giving papers: 30th September 2007
General registration deadline: 10th October 2007

A registration form and further details can be found at
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/german/research.htm. Please consult the website
regularly for updates.

We look forward to welcoming you to Leeds!

University of Leeds, Department of German, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK