CFP Science/Occult in 19th Century (NeMLA) (9/30/13)

Science and the Occult in the Long Nineteenth Century; NEMLA Apr 3-6, 2014

full name / name of organization: 

45th Annual Convention, Northeast Modern Language Association

contact email: 

lhm@gwmail.gwu.edu

Science and the Occult in the Long Nineteenth Century
45th Annual Convention, Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA)
April 3-6, 2014
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Host: Susquehanna University

The goal of this panel is to explore the intersections between two current themes in British literary studies: the influence of science on the literature and culture of the long nineteenth century and the period’s simultaneous fascination with and investigation of the occult. While science and the occult are often assumed to occupy different discourses culturally and, particularly in terms of genre, narratively, such a separation is artificial.
This panel seeks papers which explore the intersections between science and the occult as seen in British writing and literature from the long nineteenth century. Ideally papers will address what these discourses tell us about their cultural moment and the development of scientific epistemes. Papers ranging in topic from Romanticism to fin de siecle, from science writing to penny dreadfuls, from magic to physics are welcome.

Please email 250-300 word abstracts and a brief bio to Leigha McReynolds, lhm@gwmail.gwu.edu, by September 30th.

Deadline: September 30, 2013

Please include with your abstract:
Name and Affiliation
Email address
Postal address
Telephone number
A/V requirements (if any; $10 handling fee with registration)

The 2014 NeMLA convention continues the Association's tradition of sharing innovative scholarship in an engaging and generative location. This capitol city set on the Susquehanna River is known for its vibrant restaurant scene, historical sites, the National Civil War museum, and nearby Amish Country, antique shops and Hershey Park. NeMLA has arranged low hotel rates of $104-$124.

The 2014 event will include guest speakers, literary readings, professional events, and workshops. A reading by George Saunders will open the Convention. His 2013 collection of short fiction, The Tenth of December, has been acclaimed by the New York Times as “the best book you’ll read this year.” The Keynote speaker will be David Staller of Project Shaw.

Interested participants may submit abstracts to more than one NeMLA session; however, panelists can only present one paper (panel or seminar). Convention participants may present a paper at a panel and also present at a creative session or participate in a roundtable. http://www.nemla.org/convention/2014/cfp.html