Medieval Romance and Queer Theory: Exploring Sexual Identities

The Medieval Romance Society is sponsoring the following session at the 37th International Congress on Medieval Studies, Kalamazoo, MI, in 2002.

"Medieval Romance and Queer Theory: Exploring Sexual Identities"

This session on queer theory will address a surprising gap in romance studies. Although critics have explored many romance texts from the perspective of gender theory, very few have applied queer theory specifically to the genre. Medieval romance--with its episodes of same-sex bonding, man-to-man combat, and even the occasional cross-dressing--is an ideal subject for this approach. We invite proposals for papers that will invigorate more theoretical readings of romance texts from a queer theory perspective.

Please note that the Medieval Romance Society is particularly interested in cross-cultural issues and romance; therefore, we welcome papers which examine medieval romance literature from any culture/language (English, Celtic, French, German, Italian, Spanish, etc.). We also welcome papers from scholars of all levels--from the graduate student to senior academic.

Papers are to be no more than 20 minutes. The deadline for receipt of abstracts is September 15, 2001. Please submit one-page abstracts (plus any requests for audio-visual equipment) via email, fax, or regular mail to:

Dr. Tamara F. O'Callaghan
Department of Literature & Language
Northern Kentucky University
Landrum 500
Highland Heights, KY 41099-1500
Email: ocallaghant@nku.edu
Fax: (859) 572-6093

The 37th International Congress will be held 2-5 May 2002. Please consult the website for the Congress for further information:
http://www.wmich.edu/medieval/congress/37cfp/index.html