France and America: Culture and Society in the Twentieth Century, An Interdisciplinary Conference (University of Southampton, UK, 6-7 July 2001)

This conference will provide a unique forum for examining the social and cultural forms of the long twentieth century in France and America. By examining the French and American experiences together, the conference aims, firstly, to disrupt and re-evaluate the discourses of exceptionalism which have marked both French and American studies, and, secondly, to provide an opportunity for rethinking exchanges between the two cultures. To this end, the organisers hope to establish a dialogue between Americanists and scholars in French cultural and historical studies, as well as attracting those working in more comparative and cross-cultural perspectives. Plenary speakers currently include Elaine Tyler May (author of Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War Era and Barren in the Promised Land: Childless Americans and the Pursuit of Happiness) and Kristin Ross (author of Fast Cars, Clean Bodies: Decolonization and the Reordering of French Culture).

Contributions are invited from scholars working in any relevant discipline, particularly history, literary studies, cultural studies, social and cultural theory, history of art and design, film and media studies. Likely topics for discussion include:

• Cold War culture and society
• Colonialism/post-coloniality and "modernization"
• The state
• Utopia
• Franco-American encounters and modernism
• Indochina
• The body and sexuality
• The rise of social science
• Migration
• The political/social imaginary
• Material culture
• Everyday life
• Black cultural renaissance in France and America
• Leisure and consumption
• Technology and culture
• The city
• The working body and mind
• Elites
• Post-industrial society
• Youth culture
• Feminisms
• Counter-cultures
• Anti-capitalism
• The 'Americanisation' of French theory

Proposals are invited for 20 minute papers. Abstracts of 200-300 words should be submitted by 15 January 2001 to Dr Jackie Clarke at address below.