Literature and Science

As we prepare to enter the second decade of the 21^st Century, it is increasingly apparent that science and literature no longer represent rival or mutually exclusive domains of knowledge. Indeed, science is currently offering literary critics rich and productive ways of re-conceiving literature. Cognitive science and evolutionary theory are two scientific fields that are helping reshape our understanding of the literary object. Equally, literary critics are becoming progressively more interested in understanding how scientific discourse utilizes distinctly literary thinking and technique. We therefore welcome papers on any aspect of the intersection of literature and science. Proposed topics might address:

• Tensions or convergences between literary theory and scientific method
• Applications of scientific method to literature
• Applications of literary theory to science
• Science as a literary theme
• Scientific metaphors
• The nature of the literary object
• The current state of literary theory
• Science fiction
• Utopian studies
• Evolutionary theory and evo-criticsm
• Cognitive science
• Neuroscience
• The philosophy or politics of science
• Literature and material culture
• Issues of genre and gender between literature and science
• Reflections on reading science
• Any other issues that concern the relationship between literature and science

The literary works discussed might be drawn from any period and from any language (though all papers will need to be presented in English).

Proposals should be 250-300 words in length and sent via email, by 30 April 2010 via the submission form below: