News

Association for Canadian Studies in Ireland (ACSI)

Canada: Landscapes and Landmarks
Dublin, 10-12 May 2012

ACSI (Association for Canadian Studies in Ireland) will host the XVIth Biennial Conference in Dublin on 10-12 May 2012. The theme for 2012 is: “Canada: Landscapes and Landmarks”
 
The image of the ‘land’ is an ongoing trope in both past and contemporary conceptions of Canada, from the national anthem, to the flag, to the symbols on coins, the land and nature remain linked to the Canadian sense of belonging as well as to the image of the nation abroad. Linguistic landscapes reflect the multi-faceted identities and cultural richness of the nations. If earlier portrayals of the land focused on a rugged, unspoiled landscape, such as in the paintings of the Group of Seven, contemporary  notions of identity, belonging and citizenship are established, contested and legitimized within sites and institutions of public culture, heritage and representation that reflect integration with the land transforming landscape into landmarks. The Highway of Heroes from the Trenton military base, Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site in Québec, the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, The Rooms in St John’s Newfoundland and Ireland Park in Toronto, are examples of landmarks that transform landscape into a built environment that endeavours to respect the land while using it as a site to commemorate, celebrate and promote Canadian identity. Similarly, in literature and the arts, the creation of the built environment and the interaction among those who share it is a recurrent theme.
 
We are seeking papers that consider the portrayal and interaction of the land and the landscape in social, cultural and literary spaces of representation. Possible topics could include (in French or English):

The land and landscape in the arts and literature
Linguistic and cultural landscapes within the official bilingualism of Canada
Spaces of memory and testimony
State museums/institutions and representations of citizenship, identity and belonging
Political management of the land and landscape
The transformation of the built environment and of public spaces
History, geography, heritage and the land and landscape
Public spaces as sites of difference and diversity
Diaspora, migrations, uprooting and ‘heritage’

Abstracts

Abstracts should be submitted before the 30th of November 2011 as a .doc or .rtf file to:ACSI2012@yahoo.ie
Abstracts should be no longer than 2 pages. On the first page note the name of your proposed paper, name, contact details and affiliated organisation; on the second page the title of your paper along with your anonymous abstract, 4 or 5 key words and cited references. The abstract should be no longer than 200 words.
We welcome submissions in French or English. Abstracts should be written in the intended language of the paper. Presentations will be allocated 30 minutes (20 minutes followed by 10 minutes for questions).
Proposals will be anonymously evaluated by at least two members of the scientific committee.

Professor Maeve Conrick
President

Caitriona Ni Chasaide
Secretary