Transformative Literacies: Medieval and Early Modern Studies Interdisciplinary Conference.

University of Maryland,

April 19th-20th, 2013.

* Call for Submissions *

Deadline December 31, 2012

The Graduate Field Committee in Medieval and Early Modern Studies at the University of Maryland invites submissions that explore the topic of “Transformative Literacies” for a graduate student-faculty conference that will be held April 19th-20th, 2013, at the University of Maryland, College Park. This two-day interdisciplinary conference aims to foster insightful and vigorous conversation on this topic through an innovative format that includes paper panels, roundtables, and plenary sessions (TBA). 

The Committee seeks submissions that explore the ways in which written and visual materials transformed the medieval and early modern world. Suggestions for related topics include but are not limited to: the creation, collection, and use of illuminated manuscripts; the history of the book; the history of the printing press and various printing techniques; technological advances related to literacy; the role of the print, both as a textual illustration and as a work of art; collecting practices for books and printed materials; the role and legacy of works of medieval and early modern literature; the influence of classical literary sources; access to literary and visual sources; the impact of theatrical performances; the role of literary institutions, including universities, libraries, and monasteries; the significance of written and visual materials in matters of religion and politics; textual and visual sources as propaganda; literacies in the non-Western world; myths about literacy; and the relationship between gender and literacies.

We invite participants from all disciplines who specialize in the medieval and early modern periods, and we especially encourage submissions from scholars in non-Western fields and those who engage the concept of literacy in new and creative ways.

Please send abstracts via email no later than Monday, December 31, 2012. For 15-20-minute papers, please send a 300-word titled abstract; for a complete 3-4-person panel, please send an overall title and individual 300-word titled abstracts for each paper. Please indicate “Transformative Literacies 2013” in your subject line and include an e-mail address and a telephone number at which you may be reached. Be sure to note in your email any expected audio-visual needs (including special software needs). 

Source: CFP