MCLC: Material agencies and ecocriticism, AAS 2016 panel--cfp

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Material agencies and ecocriticism, AAS 2016 panel–cfp
A panel proposal for the AAS 2016 Annual Conference in Seattle on March 31-April 3
Storied Matter and Matter in Stories: Material Agencies and Ecocriticism in East Asia
Xinmin Liu, Washington State University
(Chair and Organizer)
The essential premise of this panel is that we are living amidst “refashioned nature” and the fact urges us to not only confront the reality of much altered, recomposed and even defaced natural worlds, but to embrace the interlaced agencies that help us discern and possibly sustain a human-nature co-existence. With refashioned nature as a given, it is essential that human-nature affinity (adapted from myriad Asian cultural heritages) be renewed and re-formulated, and studies be carried out in exploring and appreciating the “interlaced agencies” exerted by the non-human worlds through us humans. It requires us to embrace the interconnected nature of all material forms, attain an inquisitive and watchful cognizance of the sentient, agentic and “storied” expressions of nonhuman vitality, and be ready to reconcile, remediate and eventually forfeit linear, causal and utilitarian schemes of human development.
Meeting such challenges entails that we enhance our sensibility to the hybrid, mediated and distributed nature of agencies and forces exerted by the non-human worlds. As a point of departure, it may be necessary for us to critically engage in “anthropomorphic” modes of expression, yet consciously strive to diffuse and resist thinking and behavior towards nonhuman lives licensed by an “anthropocentric” frame of mind. While evoking traditional cosmologies for inspiration and guidance, we also bring them to readily bear on our reflection and critique of the visceral world of pollutions, diseases, hazards and imminent disasters as a result of unchecked human domination. We should perceive diversity across planetary species (including humans) as contact faces and spanning bridges in order to bring forth the cross-fertilizing forms of narrative, poetic, artistic, biotic, urban, plastic, viral, radio-active expressions of struggle, survival, sacrifice, and humility. Interested panelists will be asked to submit a 250-word abstract and a short bio including mailing street address to xinmin.liu at wsu.edu by Monday, July 27, 2015.
 
by denton.2 at osu.edu on July 10, 2015
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