CFP - Feminisms of Discontent: Global Perspectives (Jindal Global University, India - February 18-20, 2011) [08.06.2010]
CALL FOR PAPERS: Feminisms of Discontent: Global Perspectives
Feminist Theory in India, including Feminist Legal Theory, draws from many sources, including postcolonial theory, critical legal theory, and other perspectives from the so-called ‘developing world’. Despite these foundations, it maintains tenuous relations to many of its seemingly allied theoretical perspectives, for example, Liberal Feminism and Women’s Studies in India. As such, there exists a profound opportunity for a conference to explore the tensions and commonalities among Feminisms across a range of geographical and disciplinary divides and theoretical perspectives. The Feminisms of Discontent Conference seeks to facilitate a dialogue in this space. The Conference is designed to create a forum to critically and enthusiastically engage in discussions surrounding the word ‘feminism’ in all its versions in relation to law. In particular, this conference seeks to challenge the ‘woman’ and the concept of gender behind our legal activism and therefore behind our various brands of feminism. The Conference panels will reflect the tensions that emerge within and amongst the various feminist perspectives in law, with a focus on the developing world. We are looking for spirited and challenging discussions on a range of topics, to engage with some of the following questions:
- How has liberal feminism informed women’s rights in India, and the Global South?
- Who is the ‘woman’ behind the intervention that informs legal advocacy?
- Is there a post-colonialial feminism? Does it fall into the trap of essentialism?
- How do words like ‘post-colonial’ or ‘development’ inform conceptions of feminism? Are they useful?
- How do those who theorize anti-essentialism then participate in politics?
The Centre for Women, Law, and Social Change (CWLSC) at the Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) was established in furtherance of JGLS’s commitment to furthering legal academia in India. The CWLSC seeks to provide an institutional framework to develop a global approach to legal education, given India’s entry onto the global stage. To this end, CWLSC promotes collaborative research projects with Indian and foreign partners addressing cutting edge gender issues from an interdisciplinary and inter-jurisdictional perspective. The CWLSC is holding the Conference in continuance of this goal.
WHEN: February 18-20, 2011. Details to follow.
WHERE: O.P. Jindal Global University
(JGU), Sonipat, Haryana, India
(National Capital Region of Delhi).
OPEN TO: Academics, practitioners, and students.
APPLY: Offers of papers should be accompanied by a 100-word abstract and full contact details to cwlsc@jgu.edu.in.
DUE BY: July 30th, 2010
QUERIES: should be addressed to cwlsc@jgu.edu.in.
NOTE: Depending on the level and extent of participation, the papers will be included in a publication edited by JGLS. Details to follow