In the past three decades, few discourses in the humanities and social sciences have found a resonance as lasting as the discourses of postmodernism. Various theoretical approaches in philosophy, sociology, psychoanalysis, gender studies and – last but not least – literary studies (i.e. Barthes, Baudrillard, Cixous, Deleuze, Derrida, Foucault, Habermas, Irigaray, Kristeva, Lacan, Lyotard, Jameson, and many others) have outlined postmodern culture or express a postmodern zeitgeist. The conference will address the issues of a postmodern aesthetics in/of drama, and thereby discuss the future of postmodernism via questioning as to whether contemporary drama adheres to the ‘incompleted project of modernism’ or rather considers postmodern fragmentation and anti-rationalism as a liberating avenue.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:
* analysis and evaluation of central assumptions of postmodern theory and their aesthetic reflection in the texts of contemporary playwrights;
* re-evaluation of the significance of the Avant-garde in the context of contemporary drama and theatre in English;
* introduction to and critical discussion of postmodern discourses and their historical context in the social and political sphere;
* critical analysis of the relationship between dramatic theory and theatrical practice in the context of contemporary drama and theatre in English.

Abstracts:
If you propose to give a talk (in English, not exceeding 20 minutes), please submit your title and an abstract of 200 words accompanied by a short biographical sketch. In addition to the presentation of papers we particularly invite contributions to alternative forms of discussion: e.g. proposals for workshops on Teaching Contemporary Drama in English and on Theatre Practice/Working with English Drama Groups.

Deadline for submission of abstracts: 31 December 2005.

Only paid-up members are eligible to read papers at CDE conferences. NB: Membership subscriptions may be taken out or renewed during the conference.