The aim of this workshop is to explore the ways in which "trans" describes contemporary Germans and German society. The transcendence of national, corporeal, disciplinary, and institutional limits is embodied by the use of the prefix "trans." The workshop seeks to engage this multifaceted transcendence to explore how Germans and Germany are increasingly situated “beyond” prescribed limits: Beyond the nation, the discipline, the human, the gendered subject, and more. Scholars and artists are encouraged to explore the ways in which "trans" is deployed in a wide variety of academic and cultural areas, from political and social institutions to cultural discourses and aesthetic forms.
The workshop takes as its geographical points of departure not simply German but also European and global ones. While historical objects and events are welcome foci for investigation, scholars whose work examines those experiences and engagements in the contemporary and the futuristic are encouraged as well. Participants may focus on the concept of “trans” or a related topic, such as one that examines dynamic activity around borders, limits, political institutions, social practices, or forms of cultural and aesthetic expression.
FORMAT: This workshop seeks participants from a broad array of disciplines whose work intersects with German Studies, including fields such as Anthropology, Art History, Film Studies, Gender Studies, History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Sociology. The event serves as a forum for Berlin Program fellows and alumni, but invites participation of all other scholars (doctoral students/postdocs/non-tenured and tenured professors). During the workshop, scholars will present for roughly 5 minutes on their paper, and then engage the audience in discussion of their work for 10 minutes. Each panel will conclude with a 45- minute discussion on questions raised in the panel.
APPLICATION, DEADLINE, NOTIFICATION
Submit a 250-word abstract and a short, twopage curriculum vitae (including position, department and institution) in one pdf via email by February 15, 2016 to: bprogram@zedat.fu-berlin.de
REQUIREMENTS
Presenters are required to submit a 25-page paper (MLA style) or an existing publication of similar length (i.e., chapter, article, etc.) and a one-page bio for circulation to workshop participants by May 31, 2016. All workshop participants are asked to read these submissions prior to the workshop. A selection of two or three optional background readings will also be circulated.
SUGGESTIONS FOR BACKGROUND READINGS
Presenters will be invited to suggest one text (max. 25 pages) for the optional background reading list.
PUBLICATION
Please note that senior editors of the book series German Visual Culture, Dr. Deborah Ascher Barnstone and Dr. Thomas O. Haakenson, may include in an upcoming volume selected essays by those scholars analyzing or utilizing visual materials in their projects.
WORKSHOP TIMELINE
• Feb 15: Deadline abstract & short c.v. (3 pages max: abstract 1 & c.v. 2 pages)
• March 1: Notification of acceptance or rejection emailed
• March 31: Draft program and recommended additional readings distributed
• May 31: Deadline for full-length essays (25 pages, MLA style/PDF) & bios (1 page max)
• June 10: Scholars’ essays distributed to workshop participants
WORKSHOP LANGUAGE: English.
WORKSHOP VENUE is the Freie Universität Berlin.
FEES: Participation in the workshop is free of charge.
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
Participants are responsible for organizing and paying for their travel and accommodation. We encourage participants to seek funding from their home institutions or alternative sources to cover those costs. Detailed information on logistical matters (hotels, public transport etc.) will be provided to participants with the draft program.
COFFEE BREAKS & LUNCH will be provided.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Dr. Deborah Barton | Cardiff University
Dr. Jeremy DeWaal | Freie Universität Berlin
Karin Goihl | Freie Universität Berlin,Berlin Program
Dr. Thomas Haakenson | California College of the Arts
Dr. Carol Hager | Bryn Mawr College
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/bprogram/roundtables/BP_SW-CFP-2016.pdf