Launch Conference: Conversation

Description

Conversation is the third theme of the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Cambridge. It runs from October 2004 until September 2006.

During that time we will consider four broad areas:

    * The study of conversation itself, its tacit rules and conventions, formal properties, location, and participants.
    * The representation of conversation in art, literature, film, music, and in non-fiction.
    * Conversation as an idea and an ideal; its metaphorical use in contexts where there is no direct contact between people, but where the very notion of conversation is highly evocative.
    * Conversation as a device for learning, clarifying and exploring ideas.

For such an ordinary, everyday word, the idea of conversation is strikingly rich. It reaches into many disciplines and many aspects of experience. This conference introduces ways of thinking about our new theme, principally through examples: it is open to all. We warmly invite you to participate and to help shape thinking about this topic. The conference is free, but it would help us with planning if you let us know of your intention to attend (please see below.) Coffee and tea will be provided, but please make your own lunch arrangements.

Convener:
Ludmilla Jordanova