IV International Conference of OSLE-India on Ecology: Texts and Contexts

National College, Trichirapalli

hosts

IV International Conference

of

Organisation for Studies in Literature and Environment-India (OSLE-India)

on

Ecology: Texts and Contexts

at

National College, Trichirapalli

on

25 & 26 September, 2009

National College, Trichirapalli

The National College founded in 1919 is a glorious example for meaningful correlation between dynamism of society and dynamism of education. If the motto of the College, “That which liberates is education”, implied the role of education in liberating India from Colonial rulers, today liberating the suppressed sections of the society from the evil clutches of communalism, casteism and ignorance has become the focal point.

The motto of this premier institution is ‘Saa Vidyaa Yaa Vimuktaye’ – that which liberates is education. The institution was founded to impart and to promote among the youth the highest and loftiest ideals, which constitute the essence of Indian culture and nationalism.

It is no coincidence that the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi addressed the freedom fighters of Tiruchirapalli in the years back on the campus of National College high school. The first among the many freedom fighters and nationalists produced by this great institution is the former President, illustrious his Excellency R. Venkataraman.

OSLE- India

OSLE-India is a forum for promoting ecocriticism, especially in India and also in other Asian countries.

Today 'ecocriticism' has come to mean not only 'the application of ecology and ecological principles to the

study of literature,' but also the theoretical approach to the interrelational web of natural, cultural and

supernatural phenomena.

Conference Theme - Ecology : Texts and Contexts

Ecology is under tremendous pressure owing to human interventions in the form of industrial development, resource exploitation, and even cultural advancement. As a result many of the natural givens like clean air, pure water and pristine land are being denatured and polluted causing irreparable structural and systemic damages. For a long time, literature remained inure to these changes, often, valorizing nature and romanticizing the environment. But the steady accumulation of waste, a by product of an industrial society, the depletion of natural resources, the despoilment of air, water and land and the seemingly irredeemable situation of the planet Earth have led to a new kind of writing which is ecocritical, a writing that problematizes ecological issues and offers a critique of the many cultural practices.

The IV International Conference of OSLE India, to be held at National College (affiliated to Bharathidasan University , Tiruchirapalli) Tamilnadu, India on September 25 & 26, 2009 is again an attempt to review not only ecocritical writings but also to reexamine ecological issues. The conference further seeks to expand the disciplinary boundaries and achieve ‘interdisciplinarity’ by bringing together two dissimilar body of knowledge, namely sciences and humanities. The academy stands to gain as it will provide critical insights and pedagogical concepts from this forthcoming confluence of minds.

The following sub-themes are also identified for critical exploration and loud thinking.

Literary Ecology

Social Ecology

Land Ethic / Health

Localization / Globalization / Glocalization (related to Ecology)

Bioregionalism

Ecological Cosmopolitanism

Ecofeminism

Ecotheology

Ecosophy / Ecophilosophy

Postmodern Geography / Geophilia

Toxic Consciousness / Discourse

Waste – Industrial, Medical & Nuclear / Management / Consciousness

Films, Plays and Playlets (related to Ecology)

Ethnographic writing / Folklore / Folkways / Folk Music

Curricular Design (involving Ecology & Literature)

Ecolinguistics,
Ecopsychology, Oikopoetics, Nativism, Ecological
Economics,
Green Politics,
Ecotechnology and Ecoscience

Call for Papers:

Abstracts not exceeding 300 words have to be submitted before the 30^th of June for acceptance. The contributors will be informed of the acceptance by the 15^th of July. Full papers, not exceeding eight pages and typed out in double space in A4 following MLA style sheet, have to be submitted by the 31^st of August.

Delegate Fee:

For Members
Indian Students INR 500
Indian Non -Students INR 1050
Foreign Students INR 1800
Foreign Non-Students INR 2800

For Non-Members
Indian Students INR 650
Indian Non-Students INR 1350
Foreign Students INR 2000
Foreign Non -Students INR 3100

Local Students INR 300

Delegate Fee include 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner coffee & snacks twice a day for 2 days.

For ordinary but decent accommodation add INR 500 for two days.

Fee will be accepted only in the form of demand drafts drawn in favour of The Principal, National College, Tiruchirapalli.

Tiruchirapalli is the fourth largest city in the state of Tamilnadu. It is well connected by rail, road and air. The college itself is located just 1 km from the railway station and the bus stand and 8 kms from the International Airport. The day temperature for the month of September is between 32 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius. For those who seek accommodation in star rated hotels information will be given on request.

Postal Address

D.E.Benet

IV OSLE-India International Conference Coordinator

Department of English

National College, Tiruchirapalli – 620001

Tamilnadu, India

Mobile No : 91-94432- 48012

E- Mail premeben@yahoo.com

You may contact the coordinator, D.E.Benet of National College (Mobile Phone. 9443248012), Tiruchirapalli, for further information. You may also contact Rayson K. Alex (Mobile No. 9840166877) of OSLE-India for information.

All email communications can be done at <osleindia@gmail.com>.

For proposal for hosting of the next annual OSLE-India conference, please contact The President, OSLE-India, at <osleindia@gmail.com>