CALL FOR PAPERS

FREAKS! Exploring the Unnatural in the Ancient World

University of California, Los Angeles

November 10-11, 2006

Keynote Speaker: Page duBois, Professor of Classics and Comparative Literature, University of California, San Diego

The UCLA Department of Classics seeks papers for its upcoming graduate student conference, "Freaks! Exploring the Unnatural in the Ancient World." This conference aims to investigate the notion of abnormality and its consequences in ancient literature and culture. The conference encompasses both actual abnormalities present in and around the Greek and Roman worlds as well as representations of fantastic abnormalities. We encourage the submission of papers using a variety of evidence (literary, documentary, material culture, linguistic, etc.) by both students of classics as well as those of related disciplines (art history, archaeology, history, philosophy, comparative literature, etc.).

Possible topics include but are not limited to:

• Monstrosity
• Perceptions of exotic creatures
• Magicians and oracles
• Liminal figures in myth (both real and mystical)
• Portents and prodigies
• Metamorphosis and transformation
• Perceptions of physical abnormality
• Non-normative gender/sexual roles
• Hybridism
• Perceptions of other cultures or roles and behavior of people(s) on the fringe of society

The deadline for proposals is May 15, 2006. Notification of acceptances will be emailed by June 23, 2006.

E-mail abstracts of no more than 300 words as a PDF or Word attachment to erush@humnet.ucla.edu. Please include the text of all attachments in the body of your email. In your attachment, please include your name, title, affiliation, and contact information on the first page and your abstract on a second page without any identifying information.

Check the UCLA Classics webpage or FREAKS! webpage for updates.

"FREAKS! Exploring the Unnatural in the Ancient World" is funded by the UCLA Department of Classics, the Campus Program Committee of the Program Activities Board, and the Graduate Student Association.

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