This event organised with the support of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş” Timişoara will take place in Timişoara(Romania)on November 28th-29th 2011.

In all societies, biological reproduction is regulated by cultural frameworks. Additional cultural processes (adoption, surrogate mother system, etc.) have a deep impact on parents and children, whose sentimental and educational relationships presuppose complex bodily interactions. Each society defines conception, childbirth, neonatal nursing, first basic learning and other parenting practices as complex bio-cultural phenomena in accordance with its world views, material culture, and ecosystem. Possible aspects include: ancient, traditional, popular or biomedical knowledge about procreation, pregnancy or child growth, types of physical socialization and education, initiation rituals, conceptions about child’s body integrity, representations of physical punishment, etc.

Across cultures, the mother, the father and the child frequently become symbolic figures. In classical Western thought, for instance, the mother represents the most important archetypal symbol, the tender incarnations of the Virgin, the church, the university and the home, etc. The father is the reasoning agent, the embodiment of traditional values, the patriarch and master of the house, but also an economic actor and a major consumer. For his part, the child is a symbol of innocence and hope.

We invite researchers interested in the body in medical, familial, educational, symbolical and ritual contexts (archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, physicians, psychologists, sociologists, art specialists, etc.) to participate in this symposium considering particularly, but not strictly, the following themes:

Parenthood and processes from conception to childbirth: knowledge and beliefs on procreation and pregnancy; techniques of the body involved in procreation and delivery; societal and artistic representations of pregnant women; etc.

Child’s, Mother’s (and Father’s) bodies during the first years of the new-born life: health, nutritional needs, breast feeding, first contacts, social re-insertion/integration, etc.

Initial stages of body awareness: incorporation of techniques, assimilation of sensorial sensibilities, play, physical education, etc.

Representations of parents’ and children’s bodies: their images and application in arts, political, philosophical or religious discourses; parents’ or children’s self-representation, etc.

Presentations will be 20 minutes long and should be delivered preferably in English. However, proposals in Romanian and French will also be considered. The proposals must include an abstract (150-300 words) and a current CV. The deadline for receiving presentations is September 1, 2011. Please use the address below to send your proposal to Frédéric Duhart and Gabriela-Marianna Luca. All proposals will be evaluated by an international scientific committee. The symposium will be held November 28th-29th 2011 at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş” Timişoara. Transportation, visa, travel insurance costs and accommodation will be the sole responsibility of each participant.

Contacts:

Frédéric Duhart
CORPUS General Coordinator
frederic.duhart@wanadoo.fr

Gabriela-Marianna Luca
7th Symposium Coordinator
luca.gabriela@gmail.com

Scientific Committee
Lenuta Giukin, State University of New York
Andrei Kozma, Academic Association of Anthropology
Dan Nemes, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş” Timişoara
Rodica Ieta, State University of New York
Andrei Motoc, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş” Timişoara
Jérôme Thomas, Paul Valery University, Montpellier