This conference is dedicated to dialogues over the relationships between rhetorics, violence and evil. On the one hand, throughout its history rhetoric has often been accused of manipulation, of amoral, if not immoral, practices. On the other hand, violence and evil have their own rhetorical forms of legitimation and presentation. In this conference we wish to explore these connections with respect to a wide variety of examples: from literature, popular culture, history, theory. All disciplines, including economics, medicine, rhetoric, religious studies, theatre, film, gender studies, should feel free to contribute. The purpose of this conference is not only to identify connections, but to reflect upon them and to consider possible reponses to them.

Presentations will be limited to a ten-minute summary of the paper, with up to 45 minutes dedicated to discussion. Only 20 papers will be accepted, but attendance is open to all who wish to join us. Previous participants at conferences sponsored by the Centre and the NT Rhetoric Project will be given priority.

Once papers have been accepted, those looking for institutional support for attending the conference may contact the organizers to present responses. The purpose of the conference is not to discuss the issues (a discussion is a conversation with sides), but to dialogue with each other (a dialogue is a conversation with a center). All presenters and respondents are therefore asked to anticipate and contribute to enriching an environment of exploration and insight.

Papers are to be submitted in advance, and no later than May 1, 2003. Presentations will be posted in advance of the conference. The papers can be found in a special edition of Queen. Links will be made available as each paper arrives.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact J. David Hester (david.hester@uni-tuebingen.de) or James Hester (jdhester@frys.com) .