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Please note the following updates with regards to the University of Leeds postgraduate conference on "Innovation and Recycling in German Culture, Society, and Politics in the 21st Century", 11-12 December 2007 **CFP deadline extended to 7th September **initial proposal for publication of conference proceedings accepted by publisher **conference poster now available at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/german/research.htm ......................... 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 planned. 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 7th September 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 on the conference 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