Third Biennial Graduate Student Conference

Department of Germanic Studies

The University of Texas at Austin, March 25th, 2010

Since the end of World War II, Germany has continually occupied a central position in debates over the emergence of modern-day Europe. From early attempts to forge a transnational European community, to the Cold War and reunification, and debates over guest labor and immigration, Germany has been the stage of numerous developments that have bearing on the broader European context. Conversely, projects to define and create Europe have necessarily inflected political, social and cultural developments in Germany. In today’s Europe, decisions made in Brussels reach across conventional borders and affect everyday life in Germany. Individuals and communities, too, cross lines that were once drawn in concrete and iron, and continually call into question what Germany, in fact, is.

In conjunction with the Third German Studies Workshop, “Rethinking German-Turkish Cinema,” the 2010 graduate conference will focus on the many tensions that have emerged from the historical, cultural, social and political interactions of Germany and Europe; and will examine how Germany and Europe have mutually conditioned each other’s development since 1945. Presenters are invited from all relevant disciplines to address topics including conceptions and perceptions of Europe from German perspectives and vice-versa; German culture as European and/or EU culture; borders and border transgression; migrant and minority experiences; legacies of East and West; ideas of nation and nationality; etc. We also invite artistic contributions in other media such as photography or film.

As with past conferences, the organizers hope to provide a forum for discussion and engagement with pertinent topics, and to promote lively exchange and connections among graduate students working in contemporary German Studies and related fields. Participants are also strongly encouraged to stay through Sunday to attend the German Studies Workshop.

Please send one-page abstracts to the conference organizers at Germany.Europe.2010@gmail.com by January 15, 2010. A limited amount of funds are available to help defer travel expenses for accepted papers.