HOFSTRA CULTURAL CENTER presents a conference
At Whom Are We Laughing?
Humor in Romance Language Literatures
Catalan, Galician, French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish
April 10, 11, and 12, 2008
Within the scope of seven language paradigms, this conference will explore the traditions of literary humor across social and geographical borders to consider its motives and its functions.
If Humor is transgressive, what has been crossed?
If subversive, what has been overturned?
Must humor serve a higher purpose?
Or can there be humor for humor's sake alone?
Together we will attempt to answer these questions and pose many more, even as we wonder: At whom are we laughing?
We invite submissions of papers and suggestions for panels. Papers should focus on literature (poetry, prose, theater, related art, etc...) but can include references to film, opera and other media. For a complete list of suggested topics, please see the conference Call for Papers. Some suggested topics include:
- The Grotesque, Burlesque and Carnivalesque
- Rogues and Tricksters
- Wit, Mores and Linguistics
- Folkloric Motifs
- The Laughter of Discomfort
- Ethnic Variations of Humor
- Gender(s) and Humor
- The Misogynists
- Shades of Irony
- Political Comedy
- The Subversive Smile
- The Concept of Tragicomedy
- Humorous Memoirs
- Bilingual Humor
- Paradox and Ambiguity
- Humor From Unexpected Sources
More information is available in the Conference Registration Program.
Letters of intent, two-page abstracts and a copy of your curriculum vitae must be received by June 1, 2007.
Letters of intent, panel suggestions, abstracts and completed papers should be sent to:
Conference on Humor
Hofstra Cultural Center
200 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549-2000
Tel: (516) 463-5669
Fax: (516) 463-4793
Conference Co-Directors:
Zenia DaSilva
Professor of Spanish
Hofstra University
Gregory M. Pell
Assistant Professor of Italian
Hofstra University
Conference Coordinators:
Deborah Lom
Assistant Director for Conferences and Special Events
Hofstra Cultural Center
Carol Mallison
Conference Coordinator
Hofstra Cultural Center