Da Vinci’s Vitruvian man is one of the most widely recognizable symbols of the anthropocentric humanism, which demonstrated an interest in the individual and in his body as a cosmografia del minor mondo. Indicating the perfection of human beings, this form of iconography also suggested their completeness and thus autonomy which predestined them to be the masters of the larger world. Half a millennium later, the theories of posthumanism have started to question this perspective on human beings, proposing a more porous and inclusive definition of man. As the idea of the central role of man in the world is challenged, people also acknowledge their co-determining relationship with the environment and technology, seeing themselves as part of a continuum of biological life on the one hand, and as technological beings by definition on the other.
The aim of the upcoming interdisciplinary conference, organised by the Institute of English Studies, University of Rzeszów, that will take place in Rzeszów, Poland on April 12-13th, 2018 is to provide a wide forum for a discussion of the ways in which postcolonial theory could become a part of a wider theoretical reflection concerned with the changing perception of the human. It will be a unique opportunity not only to examine how the understanding of what is human has changed in the twenty-first century, but also to explore the ways in which this change could affect the structures of power. Papers
Participants are invited to submit proposals for 20-minute presentations. Abstracts of no more than 300 words should be submitted - pasted into the registration form provided - by January 15, 2018.
All proposals will be reviewed by the organizing committee. Participants will be notified of acceptance by February 15, 2018.
Full versions of the articles intended for publication should be submitted to the above address by July 31, 2018. Papers accepted for publication will appear in a reviewed volume published either by Peter Lang within Studies in the English Language and Anglophone Literature and Culture series or by Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Rzeszowskiego.
Conference fee
Conference fee (covering refreshments, lunches, conference dinner, participation certificate and publication expenses) is 425 PLN or €100 (€90 conference fee plus €10 for bank transfer fees). It should be paid by bank transfer to the University of Rzeszów account (account number provided upon acceptance) by February 28, 2018.
Organising Committee
dr hab. Elżbieta Rokosz-Piejko
dr Patrycja Austin
dr Sławomir Kozioł
dr Małgorzata Martynuska
mgr Donald Trinder
Conference Secretary
mgr Paula Wieczorek The conference organizers extend an invitation to scholars who are willing to explore the intersection between postcolonial theory, posthumanism and environmental studies. However, we are loath to limit our debates to these three areas of research only; equally welcome are academics representing a variety of other fields, including literary studies, philosophy, culture studies, history, science and technology studies, political science and animal studies.
