The Conflict Seminar

The post graduate students of the Department of English, University of Delhi, are organizing a national level students' seminar on the theme of "Representing Conflict", which is to be held from the 11th to 13th of November at the South Campus, Dhaula Kuan. The seminar will involve not just academic discussions paneled by renowned personalities but will also be a cultural event with movie screenings, art/photography exhibitions and short plays.

Representing Conflict

Conflict, as it is usually understood, is a clash of interests between individuals or communities, or a simultaneous existence of mutually exclusive and opposing feelings. But time has taught us that the end of physical conflict does not necessarily imply conflict-resolution and that various kinds of conflict may even underlie seemingly peaceful conditions. Our engagement with literature has introduced us to the various facets of conflict in society and in the self. A socio-political approach to reading literary texts within the framework of multiple narratives of history and through the lenses of gender, race, class and caste has nuanced our understanding of conflict as it emerges in the domain of literary representation and elsewhere. It would not be an exaggeration to assert that the idea emerges as a focal point of any undertaking in the domain of literary studies today. The representations of conflict in various media as well as the the increasing preoccupation with conflict resolution (especially in the form of an educational and professional discipline) has brought it into the realm of discursive practices in unprecedented ways. Through an analysis of the various manifestations of conflict in literature and other forms of art, we hope to explore the dynamics of conflict on ground, in representation and as a discourse. Aiming at a multidimensional focus on the theme, we wish to analyze the external conflicts between the individual and society on the one hand and the internal conflicts at work in the mind of an individual on the other, even as we explore the possibility of the existence of a bridge between these two aspects. We shall also explore the diverse vantage points that give rise to disparate, often contradictory narratives found at the heart of any conflict.

Through this seminar, then, we aim not only to explore conflict through various academic lenses but also to extend its scope by understanding it through performing arts. Hence, besides academic papers, the focus will also revolve around alternate modes of expression among students, and discussion sessions regarding the same. We have called for proposals for academic papers as well as paintings, photographs and dramatic performances that deal with the theme of conflict and its representations so as to enhance the approach of the seminar.

Call for Papers

Abstracts of about 250-300 words dealing with the theme of "Representing Conflict" are invited from M.A and M.Phil students as well as independent research scholars. The last date for submission of abstracts is 20th August, 2010. Please e-mail your abstract with your name, the name of your institution and your contact details with "D.U. STUDENTS' NATIONAL SEMINAR" in the subject line to: conflictseminar.du@gmail.com.

Area of work could pertain to (but need not be restricted) to the following suggestions-

· Partition narratives (or narratives of dislocation) of the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere

· Class struggles evident in contemporary controversies over constructions of dams and so on

· Narratives of racial discrimination and resistance

· Narratives of gender discrimination and resistance

· ‘Madness’ as a manifestation of conflicting ideologies in the minds of literary characters (for instance Shakespeare’s Lear, Hamlet), and other manifestations of internal conflicts in characters (such as the protagonists in the works of Henry James, James Joyce, Kafka, T.S. Eliot and so on).

· Multiple perspectives on the same event within a particular work such as seen in the works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

· Conflict as a discipline of study and its organizational manifestations in government/non-government bodies.

· Discussion of personal ground work experiences /research

Call for Creative Entries

Click on image to enlarge

Creative entries in the form of paintings, photographs, documentary films, poetic pieces and collages are invited. These will be exhibited/screened during the course of the seminar. Details are given below.

Photography

• Min 2 MP
• Photograph should not be clicked by a mobile phone camera
• Maximum file size: 50KB
• Photograph should be mailed in JPEG file format for short listing
• If selected, it should be brought/sent in original

An attempt will be made to exhibit all entries. Senders may send in more than one entry, though it may not be possible to exhibit all in case of space restraints.

Short Films and Documentaries:

For entries of this category, a concept note must be mailed at the given address. On the basis of this concept note, entries will be shortlisted. Selected entries should be sent online/brought to the venue.

• Maximum length - 10 mins
• Should not be shot by a mobile phone camera
• Concept note should be 100-150 words

Paintings/Collages:

A scanned copy of the painting/collage should be mailed at the given address. If selected, senders will be informed, after which they must bring/send the original for display at the seminar.

Poetic Pieces:

There is no word limit. Entries must be mailed. Selected entries will either be read out or displayed.

STREET PLAY

Entries for street play are invited from college societies as well as independent groups. Scripts for theme based 'nukkad nataks' may be sent to conflictseminar.du@gmail.com. Last date for sending in entries is 30th August, 2010. Four scripts will be chosen for performance in the seminar. The performing teams will be given certificates and tokens of appreciation.