Constructing the Medieval Other: New Sources and Interdisciplinary Approaches, Session at 51st International Congress on Medieval Studies, Kalamazoo, MI, May 12–15, 2016

In 2017, the special thematic strand of the Leeds International Medieval Congress will be 'Otherness'. Although otherness is often viewed as a subject for literary study, multidisciplinary approaches can also be applied to consider diverse subjects such as ethnicity, diversity, cultural inclusion/exclusion, geography, and theology. This session will consider the depiction of otherness in the medieval period, utilising a range of sources and approaches, whether literary, historical, theological, or material. This session aims to push the boundaries of the current state of research, and offer new approaches through interdisciplinary work on a topic that is often mentioned but seldom explored in great depth.

Organizer
Marta Cobb, Institute for Medieval Studies, University of Leeds

The International Medieval Congress will also be sponsoring a roundtable discussion, 'Considering (An)Other: Core Elements and Future Directions in the Interdisciplinary Study of Otherness in the Medieval Period'. This roundtable discussion is intended to broaden the issues raised in the preceding session and to establish a conceptual framework for examining otherness, aiming to explore the subject from international and interdisciplinary angles, bringing together literary scholars, social and economic historians, and theologians with the aim of identifying key areas of research for the future.

If you would be interested in participating in the round table, please contact Marta Cobb by 15 September 2015.