CALL. 15.03.2017: International Young Scholars' Conference. Canonisation and Formation of Identi
FECHA LÍMITE/DEADLINE/SCADENZA: 15/03/2017
FECHA CONGRESO/CONGRESS DATE/DATA CONGRESSO: 26-27/05/2017
LUGAR/LOCATION/LUOGO: University of Münster (Münster, Germany)
ORGANIZADOR/ORGANIZER/ORGANIZZATORE: Centre for Eastern Mediterranean Studies (GKM)
INFO: web - gkm@uni-muenster.de
CALL:
“Canon” and “Identity” as well as terms like “memorial culture” and “collective consciousness” are terms of a well-established paradigm in cultural studies, which had a lasting effect on scientific discourse in the study of Antiquity. Within this framework, canonisation is commonly understood as a way of establishing and preserving identity. Hence, the aim of our conference is to investigate further the variety of these processes and their role in the constitution of cultural identity in times of socio-political transformation and radical change. Through its interdisciplinary nature, the conference seeks to explore continuity and discontinuity in the patterns of canonisation of different ancient cultures. For this, not only texts like holy scriptures and law codices, but also the canonical and identity establishing character of monuments and artefacts shall be explored. Against the backdrop of their specific period of origin and socio-historical context the objects of study will be presented in lectures, analysed in joint workshops and discussed in open panels. The following can serve as leading questions for the papers: How is a canon constituted, how are identities formed and where do both processes overlap and influence each other? Which cultural, political or social entities are the driving forces in the process of canonisation or formation of identity? Of what kind is their influence on and how does their internal development determine the fate of a canon? How do normative discourses in Antiquity generally develop? In which manner do these processes interrelate with radical socio-political changes? To what extent does a canon create cultural and social coherence? Which factors determine the choice of "canonical" works - what role is to be attributed to ‘intrinsic factors’ as quality, regularity or conformity or ‘extrinsic factors’ such as shortages of resources or struggles for interpretative predominance? How are continuities and discontinuities in dealing with the original canon to be explained and what promotes, interrupts, or ends its transmission? Languages are German and English. The given papers shall be published in a conference transcript. The conference primarily seeks to bring together young scholars from Germany and Europe. Students and PhDs carrying out research on both textuality/materiality in the ancient world are invited to apply. These include the following geographical areas and their linked disciplines: Ancient Near East, Ancient Israel, Mesopotamia, Ancient Roman and Hellenistic World, Egypt, Arabic and Islamic world. Paper presentations should not exceed 20 minutes. Each presentation is followed by a 10-minute discussion. Accommodation and travel expenditures will partly be covered both for participants from Europe and Germany. Please submit your application in a single PDF directed to Christoph L. Hesse (Email: gkm@uni-muenster.de). Your document should include the following: (1) Brief abstract of your proposal (max. 500 words + 5 keywords) (2) Curriculum Vitae Submission date: 15.03.2017