Norms of Transgression

CALL FOR PAPERS

Faculty of Human and Social Sciences

University of Tunis--Tunisia

8^th  English Department Conference

Norms of Transgression

December 3-4, 2009

Systems function generically by constructing and stratifying conceptual categories. In order to be effective, systems need to be deeply-anchored and well-connected to highly conservative discourse communities, whose function is to consolidate them so as to ensure their governing impact on social and cultural members. As constructs, then, before genres/concepts are normalized, the process takes some time.  In recent years, however, global institutional normalizing strategies have been met with an iron will of transgression. Trust and confidence in ‘order', ‘system', ‘law', ‘rules', ‘norms' and ‘values' have been weakened. Yet, ‘transgression' as ‘excess', as a move beyond the limit, is much more demanding.   What are the conditions of possible transgressions, of the possibility of transgression?  Does the reflexive character of transgression allow for transformation, Or isn't it no more than the threshold that leads to the construction of a new wor(l)d order, law, norm, which is but the mirror, the echo of the old one?  Is transgression really refractory or is it complicit with the status quo? Rather than being dichotomies, do not norms and their transgression complete each other?  Our conference seeks to address a key issue in this respect, in that transgression might not be merely what breaks the rule, the limit, the boundary.  Couldn't it rather be the other side of what is being transcended?

We are soliciting theoretical, historical, and critical contributions in the fields of linguistics and literature that examine the issue of ‘norms of transgression'.  Areas of inquiry might include the following:

·                    Isn't transgression but a step in the evolution of textual norms, or the maturation of new genres ?

·                    Is transgression possible without relying partly on previous norms ?

·                    Is transgression possible in the absence of norms/paradigms ?

·                    Isn't transgression a natural response to changes in the conditions which sustain prevailing norms ?

·                    Is transgression possible at all ? Is novelty possible ? Aren't we speaking the same world with the same words?

Abstract guidelines and submissions:

  The deadline for abstract submission is August 29, 2009. The proposal should include:

1.   name of author(s), affiliation, telephone/fax/e-mail address

2.    title of submission

3.    an abstract of no more than 200 words

 Submissions by e-mail should be sent to the conveners:

Dr.Tahar Labassi:   tahar_labassi@yahoo.fr

Dr. Abdennebi Ben Beya:   babdenn@yahoo.fr

 The allocated time for delivery is 25 minutes followed by a brief discussion.

 The Conference steering committee will notify acceptance by e-mail at the latest by  September 26, 2009.

Full paper submission for publication in conference proceedings:

Authors of accepted abstracts agree to submit, upon arrival, full papers on a CD in word format, together with a hard copy, for publication. The style sheet will be mailed to participants whose abstracts are accepted.

Date/ Venue and Accommodation:

The conference will take place on December 3-4, 2009. The venue of the conference will be The Faculty of Human and Social Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis, Tunisia. For details concerning accommodation (overseas participants), please contact the conference organizers.

Dr.Tahar Labassi:   tahar_labassi@yahoo.fr

Dr. Abdennebi Ben Beya:   babdenn@yahoo.fr