Call for Papers

Baudrillard's Cultural Politics

A Stream at

Engaging Baudrillard:

An International Multidisciplinary Conference

4-6th September 2006

At

Swansea University, United Kingdom

Is Jean Baudrillard a prophetic cultural theorist of contemporary politica=
l
significance? Or is he a myopic intellectual impostor, a twenty-first
century writer of cultural and political fantasies that have no relevance t=
o
our current condition? How should we understand Baudrillard's explosive
cultural and political concepts today?

The aim of this stream is to circumvent both a hasty reaction against and a=

euphoric celebration of Baudrillard's cultural politics. Rather, it seeks t=
o
provide a contemporary assessment of Baudrillard's writings and what they=

mean for the future of cultural politics. The stream intends to make an
important contribution to the broad understanding and literature on
Baudrillard's postmodern cultural politics.

The stream organizers are in search of a collection of original conference=

papers that, together, will provide a multiperspectival overview, guide to=

and consideration of Baudrillard's contentious and often misunderstood work=

on present day cultural politics.

Papers are sought on Baudrillard's writings that discuss and evaluate them=

in relation to his cultural politics, inclusive of papers on but not
restricted to: fatal strategies and the aleatory; seduction; the self;
reversibility; celebrity; symbolic exchange and death; simulations; silent=

majorities; technology; ecstasy; communication; evil; images; America; art;=

terrorism; media; consumption; feminism; theory-fiction; and postmodernity.

Our aim is to engage with Baudrillard's cultural politics in surprising,
exciting and yet accessible ways.

The stream will not only be a point of reference for understanding and
assessing Baudrillard's stunning cultural theory and political vision but=

also the launch pad for a special section of the international refereed
journal, *Cultural Politics*:

http://www.bergpublishers.com/uk/culture/culture_about.htm

Please send 250 word abstracts to:

Dr John Armitage
Co-editor, *Cultural Politics*
Room 441
Northumberland Building
School of Arts & Social Sciences
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST
UK.
Tel: 0191 227 4971
Fax: 0191 227 4558
E-mail: j.armitage@unn.ac.uk

And

Dr Ryan Bishop
Co-Editor, *Cultural Politics*
Associate Professor of English
The National University of Singapore
Dept. of English
AS5, Arts Link
Singapore 117570
Tel. 65-6874-6633
Fax: 65-6773-2981
E-mail: ellrb@nus.edu.sg