Apocalypse and its Discontents: Call for Papers

 

Westminster English Colloquium #16: Apocalypse and its Discontents
Saturday 11th December 2010, University of Westminster, London

Keynote Speaker: Professor Adam Roberts (Royal Holloway)

Whereas visions of destruction and fantasies of the end have always haunted humankind, the modern period in particular has been increasingly characterised by a mixed sense of concern and fascination with the apocalypse, and even more so during the twentieth century.  Today we are surrounded by scenarios of imminent destruction and annihilation, by politicians, scientists, religious groups, and writers, among others.  This conference aims to explore and question the widespread appeal of the apocalypse. We are particularly interested in narratives that either challenge or offer alternative responses to apocalypse.

The organisers are seeking interdisciplinary papers exploring cultural responses to apocalypse, its discourses and counter-discourses. Topics may include (but are not restricted to): Anti-Apocalypse, Counter-Apocalypse, Ironic Apocalypse; Utopia, Redemption and Rebirth; Commodifying the Apocalypse; Death Tourism and Disaster Capitalism; Media Events theory: Disaster and the Media; Apocalypse and Everyday Life; The Age of Terror; Global Warming and Its Denial; Disaster Fiction/Movie; History as Apocalypse; Trauma theory; Viral Terrorism; Endings and Aftermaths; 2012; Technology and Mass Destruction.

Please email 500-word abstracts and brief bio to all conference organisers by 1 September 2010:
Monica Germanà: m.germana@westminster.ac.uk
Aris Mousoutzanis: a.mousoutzanis@kingston.ac.uk
Christopher Daley: c.daley@my.westminster.ac.uk

Written by on Tuesday, posted in Conference (5 comments)
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5 comments

  1. Hi:
    Just wondering what the registration fee is for the conference “Apocalypse and its Discontents.”
    There are no registration details at all on your Web Site.
    Thanks!

    Les

    Comment by Les Kozaczek, 1 September 2010 #
  2. The conference will hopefully be free to attend. For more details please email Monica Germana, the main organiser, at: m.germana@westminster.ac.uk

    Comment by David, 11 September 2010 #
  3. Unfortunately, my own research isn’t at the point where it supports a paper for this symposium, but do feel that transcripts of the keynote speaker’s address and other contributors papers would be helpful in the research of apocalypse, the media and pop-culture. Will there be any effort to publish the proceedings of the symposium, either on the web or in book format?

    Comment by Ted Rickles, 14 October 2010 #
  4. […] Apocalypse and its Discontents […]

  5. […] fiction between 1945 and 1969. Christopher co-organised the international conference "The Apocalypse and Its Discontents" at the University of Westminster in December 2010, and is currently joint organiser of […]

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