TRANSFORMING TRADITION:
Creative adaptations to the 21st Century

Symposium     4th - 6th   January 2001   Collingwood College  Durham


http://www.dur.ac.uk/Sociology/transtrad/transtrad.htm

In looking forward to the new century it seems significant that a sense of
changing times is being conceptualised by looking backwards  by making a
contrast with what has been. It is well known that the shock of the new in
the modern was cushioned through extensive inventions of tradition. It may
be that once again traditions as institutionalised forms are being adapted
and transformed rather than abandoned.

We are holding a symposium that begins from thinking about people, places,
customs and ceremonials potentially neglected or even marginalised by the
onward rush of successive modernization. A number of distinguished speakers
have already agreed to offer presentations on the theme that identities
which can be or have been seen traditional are not necessarily resistant to
the challenges of change.

We now invite offers to join us either through offering further
presentations or in the more general discussions. We plan to gather
together participants from diverse academic and practice backgrounds but
all committed to the study of cultural change in order to explore themes in
the contemporary elaboration of traditional forms. We plan to facilitate
participation and debate from social theorists as well as those engaged in
transforming traditional sites through forms of creative activity.

We plan to hold a number of panel sessions and workshops covering the
themes of inventing, telling, crossing and performing traditions.
Contributions are therefore now invited from those who feel excited by the
opportunity to discuss practical uses of tradition as resource in the
constitution of novelty.


Steven Lukes  Alexandra Howson Paul Atkinson  Anne Witz
Kevin Hetherington Richard Sennett  - and others
will be   discussing inventing  telling  performing and crossing traditions
Why not join them?

Register by 1st  November   -  forms  on the website
http://www.dur.ac.uk/Sociology/transtrad/transtrad.htm


If you would like to present a paper or lead a workshop please send the
title and a short abstract indicating your interest  by 10th  November.

Contact Details

David Chaney    0191 374 2309           email: [log in to unmask]
or

Sue Scott               0191 374 2324   email: [log in to unmask]

Admin Contact

Diane Jones     0191 272 1929       email:  [log in to unmask]
c/o  Department of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Durham, New
Elvet, Durham DH1 3JT