Tactics of Resistance: Limitations & Possibilities

London, Ontario, October 12–13, 2007

An interdisciplinary graduate conference hosted by the Centre for the Study
of Theory and Criticism, University of Western Ontario, Canada

The aim of this conference is to discuss various forms of resistance.
Considering late capitalism's ability to accommodate sites of resistance and
the ensuing incapacitation of revolutionary tactics and impulses, we are
faced with the questions: Where can we find sites of resistance today? How
do social, cultural and political constraints impact on the prospects of
emerging forms of resistance? Must tactics always remain 'marginal,'
situational and contextual?

We are looking for papers addressing alternative conceptions and frameworks
of resistance, and their potential for revolutionary change. We welcome
students, professors, artists and activists to re-think resistance through
an interdisciplinary alliance.Accordingly, we are seeking contributions in the form of papers that
question, re-articulate and address a variety of issues, including (but not
limited to) citizenship, belonging, community, integration, dissent,
consensus, avant-garde and political subversions.
Presentations will emerge from (and beyond) the following fields:
anthropology, political science, sociology, nationalism and transatlantic
studies, first nations and diaspora studies, critical theory, postcolonial
studies, law, philosophy, feminist and gender studies, comparative
literature, architecture, film and media studies, and visual arts.

The following is a selection of perspectives this conference will attempt to
bring together for fruitful dialogue:

- interdisciplinarity as an academic tactic

- redefining nationhood

- issues of resistance: class, citizenship and migration

- dissemination of local resistance

- global, local and transnational dynamics of resistance

- First nations and the politics of citizenship

- feminist critiques of the narratives of resistance

- tactics of engagement

- humour, mimicry, parody, irony as tactic

- visual culture as a site of confrontation

- the power of subaltern knowledge

- the political unconscious

- resisting/existing queer identities

- artistic interventions

- resisting resistance

- the (im)possibility of transgression.

Please send abstracts of 250-300 words by August 6, 2007 to:
confrontationsconf[at]gmail.com. Please include your academic or activist
affiliation in your proposal, as well as keywords and an applicable area for
your topic.

Unfortunately, the conference cannot cover travel or accommodation costs for
the presenters. We strongly encourage our participants to apply for funding
at their home institutions. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any
questions.

Yours truly,

Conference organizers.

Centre for the Study of Theory & Criticism
The University of Western Ontario

Room 2345, Somerville House
London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada

www.uwo.ca/theory