CONFERENCE ON MEDIEVAL, RENAISSANCE AND EARLY MODERN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, MARCH 22-25, 2001

TOPIC: NORTH and SOUTH: IDENTITY, IMAGINATION, AND MEMORY IN PRE-MODERN CULTURES WORLDWIDE

The North-South division is perhaps the most salient feature of the current global economy. Such differences have a long history. In many regions of the World climatic and geographical contrasts have occasioned conspicuous differences in crop production and diet, in shelter and clothing, and in a range of other markers and vehicles of cultural identity. The distinct character (stereo-) types ascribed by ancient philosophers, notably Aristotle, to Northerners and Southerners have had long-lasting effects that reverberate today. Within many geographically distinct regions the unification of North and South and their disparate societies has required immense effort and frequent bloodshed, from China to France or Britain in the Old World, to the US in the New World.

On the other hand, the diversity and differences associated with geographical distance have often supplied and continue to supply positive cultural stimulus and opportunity. As we seek to come to terms with the rise of new economic and social relations between North and South in the modern era, it is timely to study the influence that pre-modern era southern societies exerted on the North. Notable examples are the debt of medieval Europe to Islamic and Jewish civilizations, and that of northern Europe to the Italian Renaissance.

The organizers of the Conference invite submissions on Economic, Cultural, Artistic, Literary, Scientific, Philosophical and Religious contacts and exchanges (or resistance to contact) occurring across North-South boundaries in any region prior to about 1776. Interdisciplinary and comparative papers are particularly welcome, as well as papers on historical constructions of North-South difference in the imaginary. Subject to the usual scholarly review process, select papers will be published in a Proceedings Volume by BREPOLS Publishing Company.

Abstracts of papers in fields other than Comparative Literature should be sent to:

Jeremiah Hackett, Conference Coordinator
Department of Philosophy
University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208
Tel.: 803-777-3738
Fax: 803-777-9178
Email: HackettJ@gwm.sc.edu

Abstracts in Comparative Literature should be sent to:

Paul Allen Miller, Director
Comparative Literature Program
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
Tel. 803-7770473
Fax: 803-777-7514
E-Mail: PAMiller@sc.edu:

DEADLINE FOR ALL ABSTRACTS: OCTOBER 15, 2000