FSU hosts international conference on 19th-century French studies

Organizers of the Nineteenth-Century French Studies Colloquium are currently accepting abstract submissions on topics related to enchantment and disenchantment. Submissions may be in English or French and must be received by March 15. Potential topics include, but are not limited to disillusion and illusion, fairy tales, magic and occultism, revival-style architecture, delight and rapture, and circus thrills. 

The colloquium, slated for Oct. 31-Nov. 2, in Sarasota, Fla., is the largest scholarly meeting in the country on this topic, and will explore the complex changes that occurred during the nineteenth century in France. The event is jointly hosted by the FSU Modern Languages and Art History departments and the university’s John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. 

Enchantment and disenchantment were chosen as this year’s themes because they are major ideals of the period, which saw increasing conflict between tradition and magic and emerging beliefs in science, said French professor Aimée Boutin, one of the colloquium’s co-organizers. 

These themes will be explored through research, collaboration, and formal and informal discussions. Past conferences have drawn scholars from around the world to share ideas as well as share original research on 19th-century French studies. 

“Two hundred seventy-five scholars of nineteenth-century French Studies had lively exchanges about the conference theme, Celebrity and Obscurity, when they met at NCFS 2018.” Boutin said. 

Anne Verjus, distinguished scholar of the National Center for Scientific Research and Université de Lyon, is the keynote speaker for this year’s conference, which emphasizes collaboration and coordination among disciplines such as museum studies, French, and art history.

Submit abstracts to ncfs2019@fsu.edu and visit http://ncfs2019.fsu.edu for more information.