Second Call for Papers:

'SPACE'

CAMBRIDGE FRENCH GRADUATE CONFERENCE

27TH MARCH 2003

The ways in which we conceptualise the world around us, and our place within it, are dominated by metaphors of space, so firmly imbedded in our ways of thinking that we often do not even recognise them as such. The division of the world into defined spaces, both geographical and imaginary, is crucial to our sense of self-hood and identity, the literal mapping of the world shaping the ways in which we perceive, and interact with, our physical and social environment. The notion of space, therefore, opens up a particularly rich vein of possibilities in the exploration and analysis of literature and the visual arts. Suitable papers on this theme might include, but need not be limited to, topics such as: Geographical space: the creation and control of city space; psychogeography; mapping space; cityscape and landscape; the imposition of boundaries and frontiers, both real and imaginary; ways in which such boundaries change over time, and in which they are conceptualised, mapped, and policed. Divided space: the definition of foreign, exotic and colonial spaces; travel writing; space and race; gendered space; public and private space; secular and sacred space; the effects of confinement to, and conversely of expulsion from a space; division of space into inside and outside, centre and margin. Self and space: autobiography and topography; exile; memories of space and place; nostalgia. Artistic space: theatrical and cinematic space; textual space, layout of text on page; spatial metaphors; use of topography to express chronology. Metaphorical and imaginary space: empty space, voids and black holes; forbidden spaces; outer space and cosmography; fantasy spaces, science fiction and cyberspace; utopia and dystopia; time and space.

The Cambridge French Graduate Conference aims to bring together graduate students and academics from Cambridge and elsewhere into a lively forum for discussion and debate. It is expected that, as in previous years, a selection of papers will be published by Peter Lang. We are also pleased to announce that guest speakers will include Dr Craig Moyes (King's College, London), Dr Rosemary Chapman (University of Nottingham) and Dr Emma Cayley (Queen's College, Oxford).

We welcome proposals from post-graduates on these and any other topics relevant to the theme of space, concerning any period of French studies, and any area (literature, art, film, etc.). Abstracts (300 words) for 20 minute papers should be submitted by Sunday January 5th 2003 to:
Katja Haustein and Cathy Wardle, frenchgraduateconference@yahoo.co.uk
Or: Cathy Wardle, Jesus College, Cambridge CB5 8BL