UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK, 11-13 JUNE 2004

Postcolonial theory has been, and remains, one of the dominant modes of literary and cultural criticism within the broader discourse of Irish Studies. A range of internal factors complicates readings of colonial occupation, in which all notions of language, ethnicity, faith, class, and gender were drastically affected, factors that we feel expand and challenge the mandate of postcolonial studies. One of the most recurrent criticisms of postcolonial studies is its reliance on literary/textual material rather than on what is perceived as more concrete or quantifiable historical data. It is our intention to garner papers from both literary and historical postcolonial studies: in effect to excite a level of discursive interchange and disciplinary dialogue. The sessions will concentrate on diverse crucibles of colonial occupation, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Americas. Rather than adduce simple transcolonial analogies, Enemies of Empire will exhibit the legitimacy of alternative ethical, political and cultural solidarities between postcolonial and neocolonised societies. Through a discursive imbrication of, and conversation between, previously antagonistic disciplines, our conference will potentially yield novel perspectives on and understandings of literary, historical and contemporary readings of colonial history, postcolonial theorization and imperialism.

Papers might address such issues as, nationalism [Ireland, Palestine, Balkans, Japan, India, Cuba etc…] Irish and postcolonial historiography, literature, postcolonial theory and poststructuralism, neocolonialism, globalisation, subalternity, Subaltern Studies, hybridity, mimicry and subversion, borders and liminality, forms of anti-colonial resistance, slavery and anti-slavery, theosophy, historical understandings of race and colour, faith and imperialism, Islam and imperialism, Zionism, gender and resistance, class, sexuality, secrecy, trauma and recovery, space, education and empire, tourism and travel writing, torture, ritual, orality, photography, colonialism and visual art, architecture and empire, literary revivals, children’s literature and imperialism.