Maghrebine Society and the Challenges of Modernity

Mohssine Nachit Announcement
Location
Morocco
Subject Fields
Humanities

Call for Papers

International conference on

Maghrebine Society and the Challenges of Modernity

November 14-15, 2017

Moulay Ismail University,

School of arts and Humanities,

Meknes, Morocco

Conference description

Just like the rest of the Islamic world, the Maghrebine society is in a state of flux where external influences and internal changes are shaping the structure of the society on vertical and horizontal levels. The tremendous impact of colonialism, the massive power of globalization and the unprecedented revolution in digital communication have accelerated the rhythm of transition from a traditional community where values and norms are deeply rooted in history to a society that has massively been exposed to modernization for some decades.

But unlike the West where modernity implied fundamental changes and ruptures in the structure of thinking, modernity in the Maghreb is still a problematic and controversial issue. For some, modernity should stick only to the hardware, and to the palpable and physical needs, such as economic progress, social welfare, human development and technology, but should not challenge the fundamentals of the society. Western definition of modernity is even deemed detrimental and jeopardizing the essence and identity of this community. For others, modernity is a universal heritage that celebrates human agency, reason and freedom of thought and expression and should, therefore, be locally appropriated as well.       

The gulf between these two converging narratives is today manifest in almost every aspect of social and cultural discourses. Civil society is gaining more ground, artists and intellectuals are making their voices more vocal, minorities, women and youth are audaciously challenging hegemonic and patriarchal ideologies. But at the same time, radical thoughts, conservative values are appealing to a large segment of society that identifies with the past in the name of authenticity and revivalism.

The aim of this international conference is to explore the dynamics of this transition, to analyze the ins and outs of this society in this particular context and to contribute in mapping possible and constructive routes for the future. The second objective of the conference is to provide a platform for academics and researchers from the Maghreb as well as from other countries so as to think together on how academia could contribute in a smooth transition towards modernity.

 

We invite abstracts for presentations to address the following issues in the Maghrebine context (but are not strictly limited to):

  • Body/identity politics
  • Youth culture
  • New voices of modern art and literature
  • Social movements
  • Civil society
  • Diasporic writers and artists
  • Modern Muslim thinkers from the Maghreb
  • Radical Islam
  • Social media and social transformation
  • Education and the question of modernity
  • Multiculturalism and the rights of minorities
  • Maghrebine women and gender issues

Conference language

The conference language is both English and French. Abstracts should all be submitted in English

Submission requirements

  • Abstracts should not exceed 500 words
  • The biography should include title, institution and academic publications

Important dates

  • The deadline for abstract submission : September 15, 2017
  • Notification of acceptance : October 15, 2017
  • Conference date : November 14-15, 2017

Conference venue: Moulay Ismail University, School of arts and Humanities, Meknes, Morocco

International conference organized by Laboratoire de Recherche en Culture, Genre & Littérature (LaRCGL),

Conference coordinator

Dr. Mohssine Nachit : prmohssinenachit@gmail.com

 

Organizing committee

Dr. Ahmed Chouari 

Dr. Zohra Lhioui 

Dr.  Mohamed Lehdahda 

Dr. Mohammed Yachoulti 

Contact Information

Moulay Ismail University

School of Arts and Humanities, Meknes, Morocco

Contact Email
prmohssinenachit@gmail.com