12th International Colloquium of American Studies
September 4–9, 2005
Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

INTRODUCTION

 

Our colloquium opens a dialogue between literature, art, history and society.
We are interested in the ways in which certain works, events, personas achieve cult status. What are the criteria for attaining cult status? How do they change in the course of history? Is there any cultural logic of the cult?
We also want to explore and assess social, political, cultural, moral and aesthetic effects of 'cult'.
We welcome studies of particular communities of readers/consumers as well as more general surveys of the issue.

Location
The Colloquium is held in a highly attractive, historical city of Olomouc with a well-preserved Renaissance and Baroque historical centre, second largest to Prague. Palacky University is situated in the center of the old town. It is the second oldest university in the Czech lands, and the Philosophical Faculty has the privilege of having been donated two special book collections - the special collection of Nathan Huggins, and the special collection of Ye Gerbish (donation of Eddie & Anna Bishop).
Olomouc is easily accessible by express trains from Prague (ca 3 hours).

Organizers
The Colloquium is sponsored and organized by the Czech and Slovak Association for American Studies in cooperation with the Embassy of the U.S.A. in Prague.

Format
The format of the Colloquium gives space to one longer plenary paper in the morning (60 minutes) and two or three shorter presentations in the afternoon (30-45 minutes), followed with discussion sessions. The lecturers are encouraged to take a wider and more general perspective in order to address a larger audience, consisting of university teachers of American Studies, American Literature, or English language, and postgraduate and graduate students. The evening program consists of films, concerts, poetry readings, city tours, and other activities.
A selection of revised papers presented at the conference will be included in a volume, to be edited by the Colloquium organizers and published by the Palacky University.

Application
For application click here and send the filled out form by e-mail to colloquium@centrum.cz or via regular mail to Mgr. Robert Hysek, Department of English and American Studies, Krizkovskeho 8, 771 80 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
The submission deadline for those who want to participate as speakers is February 28, 2005. Please send a short abstract (300-500 words) to the above mentioned e-mail address.

Registration fee
- 25 Euro for early registration (before May 15)
- 30 Euro for late registration
It is advisable to ask the aid of the American embassy in your countries.

Accommodation
In nice student hostels, near the center of the town.
- single - ca 9 Euro/1 night
- double - ca 5 Euro/1 night

For further information please contact the program coordinator Robert Hysek at colloquium@centrum.cz


Practical information on travel to Olomouc at Palacky University website - under "VISITORS"

Guide to Olomouc city