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Tekhne, technique, technology: three terms which broach the divide between knowledge and the world, between concepts and their applications. The etymological base of its variants found in both French and English, tekhne is both an art or craft as well as the knowledge that comes from the practice or discipline of that art or craft as it is repeated over time. As such, it signals less a split between pure and applied knowledge than deconstructs the distinction between them, since knowledge does not so much precede practice but—as in an art or craft—is just as much a product of it.
We invite papers that explore a wide range of interpretations of the conference theme: from the production of French knowledges to Francophone representations of the technical to culturally specific uptakes of new technologies. We are especially interested in papers that reflect upon the discipline of French and Francophone Studies, its techniques, the technologies it employs and deploys and thus its applications beyond itself as a discipline, and its appropriations of other disciplines into its fold, as French and Francophone Studies extends beyond its own boundaries to use techniques and technologies that originate in other far flung fields.
Possible topics might include:
• Technology in French and Francophone Studies today
technology of/in cinema; technology in literature; technology in language learning; curriculum design; technologies of/in everyday life; cultural history of technology
• The place of French and Francophone Studies in the current research context inside and outside of Australia
the future of the Humanities; funding policy; interdisciplinary research.
• Applications of French and Francophone Studies
graduate destinations; industry links; applied linguistics; interdisciplinarity.
• Discipline as technique the concept of discipline; curriculum design; language pedagogy; Foucault studies.
• French ways of understanding philosophy; critical theory; film studies; literary studies; visual studies.
The participation of delegates from other disciplines in which knowledges produced in French and Francophone cultures are used is greatly encouraged.
In addition, as is the custom of this conference, papers relating to French and Francophone Studies but not directly addressing the theme will also be considered.
Abstracts of 250 words or panel proposals (3 x 20 minute papers on a common theme with an abstract for each) with full contact details should be sent by 31 January 2009 to Dr Juliana de Nooy at: j.denooy@uq.edu.au
Keynote speakers will be confirmed shortly. Conference registration will open on 1 March 2009 and will include various tiers of earlybird registration fees. Participation by postgraduate students is particularly welcome and the Society will once again be offering travel bursaries to postgraduate students resident in Australia and New Zealand on a competitive basis. Details will be found on the Society’s website shortly: http://australiansocietyfrenchstudies.org
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