Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India, West Bengal, India

Living in an era of profound change, when life seems to undergo a radical upheaval every now and then, no longer are we satisfied with the grand sweep of grand theories. Unsettling changes in the global sphere demand that we re-vision out perspectives and question traditional ideologies. Major issues in multi-ethnic studies, especially in multi-ethnic literatures, such as ‘homeland’— real or imaginary, cultural memory, the sense of belonging (or the lack of it) or the sense of community, interpersonal relationships, and a host of other issues, are forever undergoing transformation. The 2008 MELUS-MELOW International Conference will focus on these and other related aspects of multi-ethnic literatures of the US and the world.

The Conference themes would focus on – but not be restricted to – ideas that have gained currency during the present times: gender issues, financial issues – particularly those governing literature, and issues of political correctness that influence literary events. Works of literature, art and culture would be examined from various perspectives related to sexuality, economics, and day-to-day propriety, together with other issues of diversity, religion and biases in the production of literatures.

Full Conference Description [1]