Category: Humanities

Slavic and non-Slavic inspirations in literature

The panel’s subject matter focuses primarily on the literary reception of broadly understood Slavic culture and Slavic (though not exclusively) inspirations in literature. For the broadest and most transnational approach to the subject, we are open to speakers from various Slavic countries.

Reassessing Power: Foucault’s Legacy in Historical and Contemporary Research

Over the past two decades, Michel Foucault’s work has continued to inspire and challenge scholars across a wide spectrum of disciplines. His analyses of *raison d’État*, governmentality, and biopolitics remain particularly relevant for scholars of modern history, political theory, and cultural studies. Far from being confined to one academic field, Foucault’s conceptual tools offer a flexible and dynamic framework for interrogating the evolution of state power, the organization of knowledge, and the mechanisms of social control.

Michel Foucault has proved to be an invaluable hermeneutical toolkit for recent socio-political developments. The Covid pandemic and biopolitics, the persistence of neoliberalism and its effects on life. The most recent research done on Foucault as an instigator of economic theology (Stimilli 2015) or recent works on the linkage between Foucault and the Reformation (Lindholm and Di Carlo 2024), Foucault and Tacitus (Di Carlo 2024, Ferraro 2024) and Foucault and the US Supreme Court (Di Carlo 2024b) prove the importance and the significance of Foucault.

This panel invites contributions that engage with Foucault’s theoretical legacy, whether by applying his concepts to new historical contexts, reflecting on his methodological approach, or reassessing his ideas in light of contemporary geopolitical transformations. We are especially interested in papers that explore how Foucault’s reflections on state power and the art of government can inform current debates on global governance, authoritarianism, and political resistance.

In addition, the panel seeks to highlight the impact of Foucault’s thought on subjects as diverse as linguistics, law, and film studies. We welcome interdisciplinary proposals that either extend Foucault’s methodologies to new domains or critically engage with his intellectual legacy to shape future academic research.

Scholars working in history, philosophy, political science, sociology, linguistics, and related fields are encouraged to submit proposals. The panel aims to foster a rich dialogue on the contemporary significance of Foucault’s work and its ongoing potential for scholarly advancement.

The Prussian Homage and the Birth of Prussia – a Paradox of History

April 2025 will mark the 500th anniversary of the Prussian Homage and the preceding Treaty of Kraków. The significance of this event lies in something else. The treaty and the homage formally ended the functioning of the Teutonic Order in Prussia, at the same time giving rise to the secular Duchy of Prussia. In this panel, we would like to discuss issues concerning the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ducal Prussia and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth itself and the consequences that affected these states after Sigismund I the Old signed a feudal lordship over Prussia. Preferred topics include: politics, society, culture, economy and political consequences.

Art as a Means of Communication in Second Language Learning

This panel explores the role of art as a communicative tool in second language acquisition and learning. Drawing from interdisciplinary research, the panellists will discuss how visual expression enhances linguistic development, fosters cultural understanding, and aids learners in overcoming language barriers, broadening their understanding, and expanding their horizon. Topics include the integration of art in language classrooms, the impact of creative expression on cognitive processes, and practical applications for educators. The session will conclude with an interactive discussion on best practices for using art in second language instruction.