MARCH 22-25, 2001

Schedule of Events 

TOPIC: NORTH and SOUTH: IDENTITY, IMAGINATION, 
AND 
MEMORY IN PRE-MODERN CULTURES WORLDWIDE  

The NORTH-SOUTH division is perhaps the most salient feature of the current global economy. Such differences have a long history. In many regions of the World climatic and geographical contrasts have occasioned conspicuous differences in crop production and diet, in shelter and clothing, and in a range of other markers, and vehicles of cultural identity. The distinct character (stereo) types ascribed by Ancient Philosophers, notably, Aristotle, to NORTHERNERS and SOUTHERNERS have had long-lasting effects that reverberate to-day. Within many geographically distinct regions the unification of NORTH and SOUTH and their disparate societies has required immense effort and frequent bloodshed, from China to France or Britain, in the Old World, to the US in the New World. 
On the other hand, the diversity and differences associated with geographical distance have often supplied and continue to supply positive cultural stimulus and opportunity. As we seek to come to terms with the rise of new economic and social influence of the NORTH on the SOUTH in the modern era, the influence that the pre-Modern era Southern Societies exerted on the North comes to mind. One thinks, for example, of the debt of Medieval Europe to Islamic and Jewish Civilizations and that of Northern Europe to the Italian Renaissance. 
The organizers of the Conference invite submissions on Economic, Cultural, Artistic, Literary, Scientific, Philosophical and Religious contacts and exchanges (or resistance to contact) occurring across NORTH-SOUTH boundaries in any region prior to about 1776.

We are especially interested in historical constructions of NORTH-SOUTH DIFFERENCE IN THE IMAGINARY. 
Inter-disciplinary and Comparative Papers will be particularly welcome. 
Subject to the ususal scholarly review process, select papers will be published in a Proceedings Volume by BREPOLS Publishing Company. 
Abstracts of Papers other than Comparative Literature should be sent to:

Jeremiah Hackett, Conference Co-ordinator, 
Department of Philosophy, 
University of South Carolina, 
Columbia, SC 29208---

Tel.: 803-777-3738; Fax: 803-777-9178; 
E-Mail:HackettJ@gwm.sc.edu.

Papers in Comparative Literature should be sent to:

Paul Allen Miller, Director, 
Comparative Literature Program, 
University of South Carolina, 
Columbia, SC 29208--

Tel. 803-7770473; Fax: 803-777- 7514; 
E-Mail: PAMiller@sc.edu:

DEADLINE: JANUARY 5, 2001

Conference Sponsors: 

University of South Carolina College of Liberal Arts; Department of Philosophy, USC; The Committee on Medieval, Renaissance and Early Modern Studies and The Comparative Literature Program, University of South Carolina. The Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY; The Richard L. Walker Institute of International Studies, University of South Carolina; The Institute for Southern Studies, USC.   
Conference Plans:  

(1) Plenary Speakers (Comparative Literature):

Professor Victoria Kahn, Berekeley 
Professor David Quint, Yale  

  
(2) Plenary Speakers: (Philosophy, Science, Art, History etc.): 
Professor Marcia Colish: Oberlin College

(3) Special Plenary Lecture: American Identity, North and South: 1492-1800 
_______________________________   
A. North South Identity in non-Western Cultures: 800 CE-1700 CE 
China, Japan, India, Ceylon, Russia, Iran, Near-East, Africa, South America 
B. North-South Identity in Medieval, Renaissance and Early Modern Europe: 
Papers are welcome on any aspect of North--South Identity issues in European Countries and Regions. 
C. Special Topics: North--South Influences in the following areas:

1. Handwriting (especially Latin Palaeography, but not excluding other languages): Medieval and Renaissance
2. Magic, Witchcraft: Medieval and Renaissance to Early Modern
3. Economic and Social Patterns:
4. Celtic Lands and Insular Identity
5. The role of Women in defining North-- South Identity
6. The role of "Science" (history and philosophy of science) in defining identity
7. Logic: the teaching of Logic and identity
8. Poetry, Grammar and Rhetoric and the Definition of identity
9. Religion and North --South Identity
10. Legal Institutions and Identity
11. Art and Identity
12. Philosophical Traditions and the (i.e. Aristotelianism, Platonism, Stoicims, Scepticism. Epicureanism etc)