Please see the programme 
of the colloquium for your information.
If you wish to attend this colloquium, please contact Susanne Sklepek.
Call for Papers
On 17th -18th March 2012, the Department of History at the University of Nottingham is hosting a postgraduate colloquium, initiated and organised by its own doctoral students, on the theme of cultural construction in the Soviet Union and states of the former Soviet bloc. The aim will be to explore the origins and nature of cultural discourses and practices in government, academia, the intellectual sphere and everyday life with a view to assessing their influence on the political and social development of these countries.
The organising committee invites PhD researchers in history, modern languages, cultural studies, sociology and related disciplines to submit proposals for papers. The organisers and sponsors of this conference hope that the exchange of ideas among scholars will facilitate the emergence of new avenues in scholarly discussion about state actions and human experiences under communist regimes in the twentieth century.
Proposed topics for the conference include, but are not limited to:
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cultural revolts and resistance;
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the dissident movement in socialist states and its discourses;
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popular alternatives to socialism: methodological, analytical and discursive aspects of the problem;
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formal and informal collectives of culture figures;
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art as oppositional practice;
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the role of space, place and material culture in building socialism;
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cross-cultural comparison of socialist cultural construction;
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the dynamics of cultural change under socialism;
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styles and dynamics of the socialist performance;
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gender and subjectivity under socialism;
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gender and art under socialism;
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institution building under socialism;
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censorship within the socialist states, and its power dimensions;
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censorship and subjectivity;
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ideological dimensions of art and socialist realism;
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the disciplinary function of a socialist state: methods of control and punishment;
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surveillance and the repressive system of a socialist state: structure and mechanisms;
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bribery and privileges under socialism;
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dilemmas of the intelligentsia: conformism vs. resistance;
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individual and collective identity under socialism;
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various aspects of contemporary views and discourses about former socialist states;
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statistical perspectives of building socialist culture.
Proposals, including a title, abstract (approx. 300 words) and one-page C.V., should be submitted to Susanne Sklepek by 23th October 2011 .
Presentations should be limited to 15 minutes, to be followed by discussion. We will be able to cover UK travel or contribute to international travel costs as well as cover one night accommodation expenses of each successful applicant. For details please check with the conference organisers.
Organising Committee: Susanne Sklepek-Hatton, Olga Bertelsen, Filip Boicu and Andru Chiorean
Generously funded by CRCEES, The Department of History at the University of Nottingham and BASEES
