French Literature II (1600-1850): We invite paper proposals that relate to the conference theme “Masking and Unmasking the Subject” and that treat texts within the given date range. Abstracts of no more than 500 words or complete papers should be sent to the session chair by March 30, 2013. Participants must be members of the SCMLA by May 31, 2012 and may only deliver one paper at the conference. Papers may be delivered in English or in French. Chair: Dr. Cristian Bratu, Baylor University cristian_bratu@baylor.edu The 70th annual convention will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana from October 3-5 at the historic Hotel Monteleone in the heart of the French Quarter. The theme will be: “Masking and Unmasking the Subject.” The search for the authentic self or transcendental ego holds a privileged place in the history of literary theory, philosophy, and psychoanalytic theory. Literature, language, film, and art all provide tools for constructing vivid imagery of the subject and her façades. In New Orleans, the city of performance and masquerades, we will explore the following questions, among others: What are the social factors that participate in forming the subject’s masks? When are these masks in place and when do they fall away? Behind the mask, is there such a thing as an authentic self? How do race, religion, gender, sexuality, nationality, class, and education influence maskings and unmaskings? What particular use of the mask do we find in times of war, economic recession, political repression, and other modes of crisis vis-à-vis peaceful and prosperous contexts? Please join us for these discussions at our 70th annual conference at the beautifully restored historic Hotel Monteleone in the Heart of the French Quarter, October 3-5. For conference and SCMLA membership information, please see www.southcentralmla.org
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