Cfp: "The Dialectic,'' 2010 Institute on Culture and Society, Marxist Literary Group, St. Francis Xavier University, June 15-20, 2010.

The Institute will feature consecutive (as opposed to parallel/simultaneous) sessions, consisting of traditional panels, roundtables, film screenings, performances, and social events. Additionally, intensive daily reading and discussion groups will be held on “Adorno and the Materialist Dialectic” led by Rich Daniels, on Fredric Jameson’s Valences of the Dialectic led by Nicholas Brown, and on other facets of dialectical thought (volunteers are invited to submit proposals for further reading groups). Well-known for its intellectual rigor and collegial atmosphere since being founded by Fredric Jameson and a number of his graduate students in 1969/70, the ICS brings together emerging and established scholars each year for 5 full days of dialogue and collaboration. As is custom, the Institute’s organizers attempt to keep critical production high and participants’ costs low. In 2010, participants will, once again, be able to select from several on-campus housing options, which at StFX are cost-efficient, new and beautiful, and will contribute to the friendly and social environment the Institute thrives upon. Housing options include individual rooms, shared apartment-style residences, hotel-style residences, and more—each option will include generous common spaces and close proximity to the conference center. Detailed information regarding housing, travel, and further logistics will be sent out to all participants. For general information on St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia and the facilities the Institute will utilize, see: http://stfx.ca/ (StFX has just launched a new website, so please excuse potential glitches as our webmasters streamline content and infrastructure). Confirmed speakers for the 2010 ICS include: Ian Balfour (York University) Karyn Ball (University of Alberta) Nicholas Brown (University of Illinois at Chicago) Eric Cazdyn (University of Toronto) Ainsworth Clarke (University of Illinois at Chicago) Rebecca Comay (University of Toronto) Rich Daniels (University of Oregon) Len Findlay (University of Saskatchewan) Barbara Foley (Rutgers University) Jason Gladstone (Wake Forest University) Peter Hitchcock (City University of New York) Neil Larsen (University of California, Davis) Leerom Medovoi (Portland State University) Modhumita Roy (Tufts University) Imre Szeman (University of Alberta) Daniel Worden (University of Colorado) The organizing committee is now accepting proposals for individual presentations and panels (3 presentations plus respondent/4 presentations). We are particularly interested in work that engages with any facet of dialectical critique and dialectical thought (including antecedents and rigorous refutations thereof). However, as always, any work that engages seriously with the Marxist tradition will be considered. Selected papers of each Institute will be published in Mediations, the journal of the Marxist Literary Group (http://mediationsjournal.org/). As indicated above, we also accept proposals for reading groups, roundtables, film screenings, and cultural performances that deal with the Institute’s special topic. Proposals for individual papers should be 250 words in length, include A/V requests (if necessary), a short bio sketch, and contact information. Panel proposals should include a brief rationale for the panel (100 words or less), bio sketch and contact information of the panel organizer, as well as presenters' names, bio sketches and contact information, paper titles, and abstracts of no more than 250 words each. Proposals for all other events should follow the same formula (descriptions should also not exceed a length of 250 words for each presenter/performer). Please send submissions as .doc, .docx, or .pdf files by Monday, February 15, 2010 to: 2010mlgics@gmail.com. For questions about the ICS, logistics, travel and other concerns, contact: nilgesm@gmail.com.