ICPL 2015 - 2015 International Conference on Postcolonial Literature

Postcolonial literature (variously termed as Commonwealth Literature or New Literatures in English) started with the examination of literature produced under the influence of colonizers during the colonial rule, but has expanded into a multi-disciplinary engagement covering even the literatures produced in settler colonies of yore. The colonized-colonizer paradigm has been transferred to the ruling structures within the freed countries to address the plight of the subaltern. The ideology of postcolonialism has impacted other ideologies like Marxism, Feminism and Nationalism besides re-writing concepts like diaspora, subjectivity, etc. There is the emerging perception that the colonized phase needs to be viewed as a negotiation which developed hybrid positions on both sides like any other normal historical phenomenon. We have reached a stage where there is talk of post-postcolonial phase. Now is the appropriate time to debate all these developments and variations and assess the fine nuances of theory vis-à-vis politics involved.
Aim and Objectives
The aim of this International Conference is to encourage academics, scholars and practitioners representing an exciting diversity of countries, cultures and languages to meet and exchange views in a forum encouraging respectful dialogue.
The deliberations of the conference will be useful for sharpening the research tools and strategies by the teachers and research scholars. The conference will discuss Postcolonialism and its various manifestations, limits and future prospects. It is hoped that the conference will enlighten the delegates and scholars about the nature of the new literatures, the ideological and cultural deep structures lying behind them, and the way the practice of the writers gives new orientation to established beliefs and systems and projects new visions.
Call for Papers
Well-researched papers on the following sub-themes or others related to the main theme are invited:
Engagement with colonial history
Hybridity, ambivalence, contingency in Postcolonial literature
Gender and empire
Postcolonial feminism
Postcolonial eco-criticism
Nation as an imaginary entity
Globalized, postmodern electronic culture
Diaspora literature
Postcolonialism and Marxism
Minority literature
Subaltern Studies
Comparative literature
Magic realism as indicative of Postcolonial concerns
Validity of the post-Postcolonial
Special sessions on Canadian, African and Australian literatures
Conference Highlights
Renowned Keynote Speakers and Resource Persons
Plenary Lectures
Panel Discussions
Release of the Journal
Readings by Creative Writers
Book Releases/Book-Exhibition
Cultural Evening
Publication
Selected Papers presented at the Conference will be brought out as a volume of essays?an ISBN publication?or as a special issue of the bi-annual journal The Commonwealth Review.
What to Send:
An abstract of 250-300 words should be submitted along with the information in this order: a) author b) affiliation c) email address d) title of the abstract, and e) the abstract. Send the abstract to iscstudies-AT-gmail.com
Acceptance
Acceptance will be sent by the Convener, Academic Committee, within a week from the receipt of the abstract. Submission of registration fee and travel bookings may follow.
Important Dates
Abstract Submission: 20 December 2014
Registration Fee: 10 January 2015
The City of Sonipat (also spelt as Sonepat)
Sonipat is an industrial town which has been declared as the future mega city and is on the fringe of the national capital Dellhi. Sonipat has historical and mythical linkages. It is one of the five prasthas or habitations demanded by the Pandavas, whose refusal led to the battle of Kurukshetra. Sonipat is also the hub of education in Haryana and boasts of five universities, two of which are run by the government and include a women-only university also.
Venue
The O.P. Jindal Global University is around 20 kilometres from the Delhi border. Established in 2009, it has all the makings of a world-class university with beautiful infrastructure. It has a teacher-student ratio of 1:15 and twenty per cent of faculty members come from other countries. Details can be viewed on the website www.jgu.edu.in
Climate
Sonipat is moderately cold during the month of January. The temperature is expected to range from 20 to 25 degree Centigrade during the conference days. Participants need not bring bedding which will be available in the university guesthouse and hostel where they will be put up.
Registration Fee
Foreign delegates: $ 300. It includes ISCS membership fee, conveyance from Delhi to the venue and return, Conference kit, decent accommodation and hospitality. Those who wish to stay in Delhi for a couple of days after the conference to participate in a literature seminar in Delhi, accommodation and hospitality will be extended to them.
Kindly note that we are not in a position to assist with the conference travel or subsistence. Participants are requested to approach their institutions for travel grant and conference fee.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be provided in the Guest House of the university.
Travel Arrangements
On 27th Jan, a bus each will start at 3 pm and 5 pm. and again on 28th morning at 8.30 am for Jindal University from the university’s Delhi guest house, located at G 5, Anand Niketan, Near South Campus, New Delhi.
Those reaching Sonipat by state transport or private bus should get down at Rai, 20th Milestone (from Delhi) at G.T. Road. Those reaching Delhi must take bus from ISBT, Kashmiri Gate, Delhi. Three wheelers are freely available at that point to cover the distance of three kilometres to the Jindal Global University.
Enquiries may be addressed to:
Secretary, ISCS: iscstudies-AT-gmail.com
Conference Co-ordinator: Dr. R.K. Dhawan
Conference Convener: JGU: Professor Jagdish Batra
General Secretary, ISCS: Dr. Suman Bala