The aim of this conference is to re-view and re-frame these and related questions from a wide range of disciplinary and multidisciplinary fields, such as literature, philosophy, history, sociology and so on. The Sahitya– a hub of faculty, scholars and lovers of literature, language, and culture — is an exciting and innovative platform of Namaste Educational Academy (NEA) to debate and discuss contemporary literary trends that rejuvenate, formulate and shape the academia. Although, simplistically Sahitya is
denoted as literature, the word, refers to the act of learning, a class of writings distinguished for its aesthetics, a profession connected to literary work and
collectively to literary productions. The term, Sahitya is derived from the Sanskrit word, sahita meaning togetherness. Therefore, Sahitya could be a
confluence, coming together, a meeting, literature, literary theories and so on. This new platform of NEA will open itself to the discursiveness of the term, ‘Sahitya’ and would like to, in its endeavor, research on pulsating topics in humanities and social sciences.
NEA’s The Sahitya believes that creativity can be sustained, only when we listen and hear different perspectives in our debates on culture and
literature. We desire to instill a sense of enquiry through our platform and therefore have endeavored to introduce through our annual conferences a sense of the heterogeneity, plurality and diversity of literary and cultural studies. This platform supported by scholars who wish to disentangle academic discussions from the shackles of bureaucracy and power politics will be home to a conference that inspires and kindles quality discussions on advances, research and
pedagogy of language, literature and culture. These inquiries we hope to put across through paper presentations, panel discussions, round tables, interactive workshops, literary readings, film screenings and guest speakers.
Our 2018 Conference focuses on Feminist and Gender Studies in a Global Perspective. FEMINIST & GENDER STUDIES IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE:
Since the early 1980s when a number of feminists, including Chandra Mohanty in her essay “Under Western Eyes” urged critics to examine the interplay of the local and the global and to expose the power-relations – both historical and contemporary – in discussions of postcolonial and global feminisms, there has been an increased emphasis on understanding “global feminism” through the intersecting aspects of race, class, gender and through colonialism and anticolonial forms of nationalism. Of late, emerging feminisms and gender studies as interconnecting disciplines, have tried to incorporate the pluralities,temporality and constructedness of all identities in a shifting discourse of changing power and resistance. Identity politics based on such precarious foundations are undermined even more by the rise of nationalism. But the query is how global feminism and gender studies can, continue to offer their valuable critiques given the rise of new nationalisms across the globe, nationalisms that threaten the formation of cross-border collectivities and alignments? And might the growing class, ethnic, and religious tensions within nations impede the solidarity that global perspectives regarding feminist and gender studies seek to forge? Who gets to set the framework for these debates, and which perspectives are elided when we fail to take into account the positionality of the critic? Can global perspectives on feminism and gender alter perceptions of masculinity and male gender? Similarly, in a changing global scenario, how and where do we place indigenous/aboriginal/subaltern women’s narratives and how do new alignments of nationalism represent LGBTQ and sexuality? Finally how does the global become personal? Are there feminisms of everyday life that can address or attend to the larger global issues that construct gender and sexuality? The aim of this conference is to re-view and re-frame these and related questions from a wide range of disciplinary and multidisciplinary fields, such as literature, philosophy, history, sociology and so on. Registrants at The Sahitya can participate in only one session. The Sahitya’s International Conference on Feminist and Gender Studies in a Global
Perspective encourages the following types of submissions:
Research Papers: Completed research papers in any of the topic areas listed above or related areas. (15 min presentations followed by Q&A). PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FEBRUARY 2018 FEMGEN CONFERENCE HAS ONLY RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTATIONS
Round Table: Short presentations on any of the themes stated above (5 minute presentations). Session is open to conversation and debate between participants and the audience.
Panels of Work-in-Progress Reports or Proposals for Future Research: Incomplete research or ideas for future research in order to generate discussion and feedback in any of the topic areas listed above, or related areas. (10 minute presentations).Only for Research scholars. Research Paper presentation for each presenter is limited to 12 minute presentation and a 3 minute Q & A/Discussion time in a 60 minute session.
Round Table would be limited to 30 minute presentation with a maximum of 4 presenters and 10 minutes discussion time.
Panel sessions will provide an opportunity for five presenters to speak in a more open and conversational setting with conference attendees. Each participant will have 10 minutes for presentation.
Submissions for any of the sessions should include the name, department, affiliation, and email address in addition to a description of the presentation and the title page. Before making your submission keep the following ready.
Title of the submission (be sure to use proper capitalization)
Topic area of the submission (choose a topic area from the list at the top of this page)
Presentation format (choose one: Paper session, Round table, Panel session)
Abstract of 300 words
Email Address (all acceptance/rejection letters are sent noted through the abstracts portal.
Registration would open on JULY 31, 2017 (Monday) The conference would begin on 8th February evening (Thursday) at 5 pm and close on 11th morning (Sunday) at 11 am. A local trip is arranged on 11th afternoon at 12 pm. Those interested may look up the trip information. Last date for sending abstract: June 30, 2017 (Friday)
Notification for selected paper-presenters: July 16, 2017 (Sunday)
Opening of Registrations July 31, 2017 (Monday)
Closing of Early Bird registration: October 15, 2017 (Sunday)
Opening and Closing of Second Registration: October 16, 2017 (Monday) and November 18, 2017 (Saturday)
Opening and Closing of Third registration: November 19, 2017 (Sunday) and December 1, 2017 (Friday)
Opening and Closing of Final Registration: December 2 (Saturday) upto January 22, 2018 (Sunday)
Conference dates: 8-11 February, 2018. (Thursday evening- Sunday noon)
