Conferenza: The state of contemporary Italy

[30-10-1996]

CALL FOR PAPERS

and

CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT

"SEX, LIES & POLITICS? THE STATE OF CONTEMPORARY ITALY"

An International Conference
4-6 July, 1997
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
http://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/Dept/Frits/confwelcome.html

Have things really changed in Italy? Can corruption be eliminated? What can Australia learn from the Italian experience? In spite of the apparently permanent state of political chaos, Italy is one of the world's largest economic powers and is a leader in many areas of cultural and social change.The conference is intended as an impartial reflection on the first fifty years of the Italian Republic. The organisers wish to encourage critical evaluations of both the achievements and failures of Italy in the post-war period. From this perspective, papers on any aspect of Italian life will be welcome, including political and social history,politics, sociology, women's studies, cultural history (e.g. literature, cinema,art). Contributors should try to trace changes in the Italian situation in the post-war period relative to their particular field of study. Postgraduate students are strongly encouraged to present papers. It is envisaged that a selection of papers will be published.

Invited speakers include:

• Paul Ginsborg, Professor of History, University of Florence, author of "A History of Contemporary Italy", published by Penguin. The second volume is due out in early 1997.
• Roger Absalom, Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Cultural Studies of Sheffield Hallam University (U.K.), author of "Italy since 1800. A Nation in the Balance?" (published by Longman, 1995).
• David Moss, Professor of European Studies, Griffith University, author of "The Politics of Left-Wing Violence in Italy, 1969-85".

The conference will be held in the new Graduate centre of the University of Melbourne. Melbourne, a city of 3.5 million, is the centre of Italian culture in Australia. It is within easy reach, on international flight paths, and a beautiful Victorian city (recently voted most liveable city in the World). The University of Melbourne is situated minutes from the bustling restaurant strip of Lygon Street ("Little Italy") and a short tram ride from the City centre.

The Conference Organinsing Committee would like to extend a warm welcome to all those interested in the conference, "Sex, Lies & Politics? The State of Contemporary Italy". It is anticipated that the conference will constitute a rewarding and fulfilling experience for all participants.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Contributors should submit an abstract of no more than two hundred words. E-mail or facsimile versions can be accepted as long as two hard copies are forwarded within a week. Submissions must be accompanied by a registration form and all relevant fees. Send abstracts to:

The Conference Committee
Italian Section
University of Melbourne
Parkville, Victoria 3052
Australia.
Email: italian@unimelb.edu.au

Final date for submission of abstracts is
December 10, 1996.

Papers should be of no more than 20 minutes duration. The language of the conference is English, but papers in Italian will be accepted.

***Visit our WWW site: http://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/Dept/Frits/confwelcome.html for further information and conference registration form.***

Matthew Absalom
Dept of French & Italian Studies
University of Melbourne
Parkville 3052
Telephone: +61 3 9344 6919
Facsimile: +61 3 9347 2487