So I know that most of you probably wouldn't be interested in presenting a paper on children's fantasy in Poland, but, y'know, just in case. Sounds fascinating.
Towards or Back to Human Values?
Spiritual and Moral Dimension of Contemporary Fantasy
International Conference
Hosted by the Center for Children's and Young Adult Fiction at the Institute of English Studies, University of Wroclaw
Wroclaw, 7-10 April 2005
First Call for Papers
INTRO and Theme
The Center for Children's and Young Adult Fiction is an academic research unit consisting of faculty and students of the Institute of English Studies at the University of Wrocaw committed to sound, theoretically informed scholarship about all aspects of children's and young adult fiction. In our numerous activities we are especially interested in investigating an intricate interaction between systems of values;moral, ethical, religious, etc.; and literature in its social, political, cultural and philosophical contexts. Among many contemporary genres fantasy seems most able to fulfill this task since it combines the best elements of fairy story, myth, and realism. Fantasy challenges modern forms of cultural and political totalitarianism; modern, atheistic science and moral nihilism. By rewriting and subversing the canon, and by creating new works more suited to contemporary readers; cultural horizons fantasy participates in the modern battle for good. It reflects ecological concerns, promotes human values, tolerance, personal responsibility and the need for partnership and mutual understanding so crucial for the harmonious existence of a globalized world.
In view of the above the conference will focus on moral, ethical, and philosophical issues in contemporary (post-WW II) children's and young adult fantasy. Fantasy fiction today presents and reflects social, historical, and cultural conditions in which it originates through diverse ever-changing ideas, images, or techniques. Still, despite this multi-dimensionality, one theme reappears: the preoccupation with challenging existential issues, often providing readers with meaningful alternatives to hostile reality and with suggestions how to actively transform it. As we would like the conference to be a survey of value-oriented fantasy literature, we invite papers, presentations and/or analytical studies that investigate these themes from a variety of perspectives, including, but not limited to, literary criticism, cultural studies, folklore, history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, semiotics, theology, gender studies, etc. All theoretical and empirical approaches are welcome.
Submisions
The deadline for proposals is December 10, 2004. Proposals must include your name, e-mail address, mailing address, telephone number, institutional affiliation, technology requests (availability to be confirmed later), presentation title, and a 300-word abstract. Presentations will be limited to 20 minutes. Please submit your proposals to:
Marek Oziewicz and Justyna Deszcz-Tryhubczak
Instytut Filologii Angielskiej Uniwersytetu Wroclawskiego
ul. Kuênicza 22, 50-138 Wroclaw, Poland
Electronic submissions are preferred, but not required. Please send them as Word document attachments, eventually via plain-text email. Detailed information about costs, accommodation, optional tours etc. will follow in January. For any further information contact the organizers at:
Marek Oziewicz:
[email protected] Justyna Deszcz:
[email protected] 
