Beyond Reality: Post-Intellectualism and the Re/Emergence of Subjective Truths

12th Annual Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies Graduate Student Conference and Workshop, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

April 10-11, 2020

Titel: Beyond Reality: Post-Intellectualism and the Re/Emergence of Subjective Truths

Keynote lecture to be delivered by: Dr. Nicole A. Cooke, University of South Carolina

“Perhaps we will recognize then that the thing-in-itself deserves a Homeric laugh, in that it seemed to be so much, indeed everything, and is actually empty, that is, empty of meaning.”
-Friedrich Nietzsche, Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits

The destabilization of truth and rejection of authority is a powerful force. Although the terms “anti-intellectual” and “post-truth” were coined relatively recently, such terms connote trends which often reappear in different guises. The consequences of these trends translate into a growing and widespread distrust of authority. The prevalence of this phenomenon necessitates a discussion of subjectivism, rejection of scientific innovation, propaganda, political climates, societal conflict, and other concepts related to subjective and objective notions of reality. In any period of such upheaval, we must ask: How have waves of anti-intellectualism and subjective truths ebbed and flowed in different periods? What can it mean to be “beyond reality”? Perhaps the credo, “I think, therefore I am,” is better expressed as “I think, therefore I am right” (as illustrated by meme artist Shovel). We are looking for papers discussing truth, post-truth, and illusion in society and cultural representations.

We pose these questions specifically to fields pertaining to literature, anthropology, cultural studies, classical studies, digital humanities, philosophy, art history, history, and sociology, but gladly welcome submissions from all fields pertaining to the topic of the conference.

Possible session topics include but are not limited to:

• Language, identity, and truth
• Scientific denialism, construction of scientific fact, and scientism
• Post-truth and post-intellectualism in culture
• Truth and post-truth in genre media (mystery, fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.)
• Unreliable narration, ambiguity, and uncertainty
• Art as truth or illusion
• Disdain for authority
• Unworlding and truth
• Epistemology, truth regimes, and cultural hegemony

Conference Structure: This conference/workshop will be comprised of the keynote address and panels on Friday, followed by additional panels on Saturday. Central to the conference is a graduate seminar style workshop on Saturday. This workshop is led by the keynote speaker and designed to explore the issues presented and discussed in more detail and depth. Presenters are requested to arrange their travel so that they can participate in the entire event, including the workshop. There will also be a closing reception Saturday evening, which is open to all participants and audience members.

Please send a 500 word abstract along with a brief biographical statement, in a separate document, to csconference.unm@gmail.com by January 17, 2020. Selected participants will be notified by January 24, 2020.