WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY

18th ANNUAL GRADUATE FORUM CONFERENCE

CALL FOR PAPERS

HUMANITY, HUMANE AND POST-HUMAN

Representations of human nature and depictions of the human being have been present in diverse forms of artistic expression for centuries. In a hyper-modern and globalized world, portrayals and interpretations of the human are becoming increasingly concerned with the uses of technology and how they reshape the concepts of human, humanity and humane. This raises the question of whether conscious and rational individuals are aware and empathetic of the negative effects of humanity's actions on the environment and on human nature as a whole. Today, serious humanitarian and environmental crises such as flows of refugees and human displacement as well as the diminishing of natural resources and excessive pollution have a catastrophic effect on the present and future of our planet. We use stories (representations of the past and memories, both personal and collective) not only to make sense of our experiences, but also to justify decisions and to profit from the experience of the past and of others in making resolutions for the present and the future.

Abstracts for 20-minute papers are welcome. Abstracts should be no longer than 250 words. The conference accepts papers that include but are not limited to:

* Migration studies

* Animal studies

* Cultural studies

* History

* Literature

* Eco-criticism

* Film studies

* Art history

* Post-humanism

* Urban studies

* Tourism

* Eco-tourism studies

* Disability studies

* Mobilities studies

* Globalization and technology

* Applied and social sciences

To apply, please submit an abstract (250 words max.) and brief bio (200 words max.) to the Graduate Forum President, Ahmed Bitar at ahmed.bitar@wayne.edu by Monday, February 3rd, 2020.

The conference will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at Wayne State University (Detroit, MI).