What is the relationship between life and narrative? As noted by Jerome Bruner in his article on “Life as Narrative” (1987), this is one of the central intellectual questions facing narrative inquiry and narrative practice across multiple disciplines – psychology, narratology and literary theory, digital media, sociology, history, sociolinguistics, philosophy, medicine, education, gerontology, communications, social work, ethics, religious studies, etc. Indeed, there is broad agreement that narrative representations (from novels to histories, biographies, websites, films, museums) and life are essential to each other. Narrative draws upon life for inspiration to create an imagined world that has substance, color, texture, and meaning. Meanwhile, life draws upon narrative for resources to imagine our identity and to interpret others, situations, and the “real” world. Both are involved in an intricate exchange, playing off one another, informing and creating one another. However, the relationship between life and narrative – between experience and story - is not merely theoretical in nature but practical as well. Narrative has a profound impact on our understanding of what it means to be human; of the choices we make as persons; of the nature of health and wellness, teaching and learning; of the meaning of history; of how social groups work through conflict; and of how the cultural and political world is ordered.
Panels and papers: Scholars are invited to organize panel sessions and present papers on various aspects of the broad theme of “Life and Narrative.” Possible questions include:
- What is the relationship between telling and living?
- How can the narrative concept help us to better understand experience, interpretation and action?
- What does literature teach us about aspects of life, experience, mind, and social relationships?
- How can narrative research have a greater impact on the lives of real persons and institutions? How can narrative theory and practice better inform one another?
- Can there be a “true” narrative? What are the boundaries between fact and fiction, between autobiography and autofiction?
- How is identity storied, restoried, even de-storied across the lifespan?
- What is the effect of the media (new and old) on identity?
- What is the relationship between what is archived in individual memories and social institutions and the stories that we tell?
Conversations: Two plenary sessions will ask prominent scholars from different disciplines to present a short paper and discuss a central question related to life and narrative. Time will be given for debate and interaction between the presenters and the audience.
Confirmed Plenary speakers:
- Mark Freeman, College of The Holy Cross
- Alexandra Georgakopoulou-Nunes, Kings College London
- James Phelan, Ohio State University
Language: Although the language of the conference will be in English, papers delivered in French are welcome. Scholars presenting papers in French are requested to bring a translated copy of their paper to the conference for distribution to the audience.
Workshops: Pre-conference workshops will be organized, principally for graduate students and beginning scholars, along the following themes:
1. Translating narrative theory
Guidelines for submissions: We welcome proposals for individual papers (20 min
utes plus ten minutes for questions) and panels (90 minutes). Submissions should be in the language of presentation (English or French). Please submit your proposal, including an abstract of less than 250 words, on-line at: http://my.aup.edu/conference/narrative-matters-2012 <http://my.aup.edu/conference/narrative-matters-2012>
Publications: An edited book will be published including the best submissions from the conference. If you would like your paper to be considered, please submit a complete draft no later than
May 30, 2012.Contact information: If you have questions, please email us at narrativematters2012@aup.fr. Conference website coming soon.
Organizing Committe:
- Brian Schiff. The American University of Paris.
- Sylvie Patron.The University of Paris Diderot-Paris 7.
- Claudia Roda. The American University of Paris.
- William Randall. St. Thomas University.
- Elizabeth McKim. St. Thomas University.
- Andrea Olguin. The American University of Paris.