MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria
Conference Description
The Medieval Studies program at Cornell is pleased to announce the 35th annual Medieval Studies Student Colloquium (MSSC), which will take place in person at Cornell University in the A.D. White House on Saturday, February 22nd 2025. The theme of this year’s conference is “Dissonance and Dysphoria.”
We invite proposals for papers exploring the non-normative, the aporetic, and the discordant in the Middle Ages. What, in our narrativizing of the Middle Ages, resists the so-called “unsuitable”? Papers are encouraged to approach this theme from an expansive range of disciplines and perspectives, especially those which have been absent or underrepresented within Medieval Studies. In keeping with the conference theme, we also invite proposals for non-traditional academic presentations, which might include musical performances, artistic showcases, poetry readings, and other creative projects. We especially invite you to consider the harmful and transphobic history of the term “dysphoria” and how it might be recovered as we linger on what futures emerge from encounters with the uncomfortable and the disruptive.
Possible questions you might consider are:
How are binary logics of gender troubled in the Middle Ages?
How does medieval literature, drama, or history deal with discomfort as affect?
How and where are feelings of discomfort and fractured identities produced?
Where are the productive fault lines in personal, social, political, cultural, and religious identities?
What incongruencies exist in medieval art, philosophy, theology, and the historical data on these subjects?
Where does dissonance emerge in medieval music, and how does it factor into conceptions of the harmonic in music and beyond?
How can theories of the Global Middle Ages disrupt our understanding of the Middle Ages and its (imagined) boundaries?
What kinds of characters resist standard models of unified subjectivity?
How do interactions with the non-human world in the Middle Ages trouble human-centered
models of subjectivity?
Papers may respond to, but are certainly not limited to, these questions as we urge you to drift alongside or wrestle with the unassimilable
Papers from underrepresented fields and backgrounds are particularly welcome. We invite submissions from all fields and disciplines adjacent to Medieval Studies, including but not limited to English Literature, History, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Queer Theory, Disability Studies, Mad Studies, Africana Studies, Animal Studies, Affect Theory, Anthropology, Archaeology, Art History, Asian Studies, Classics, Critical Race Studies, Indigenous Studies, Comparative Literature, Romance Studies, Near Eastern Studies, Philosophy, and Theology.
Abstracts should be 200-300 words and must be submitted via Google form by November 15,
2024. (tinyurl.com/MSSC2025)
Conference Topics
- medieval studies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria?
MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria is Join the 35th annual Medieval Studies Student Colloquium (MSSC) at Cornell University, exploring 'Dissonance and Dysphoria' in the Middle Ages through papers, performances, and creative projects.
How do I submit my paper?
Submit your paper via the official submission portal at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GmMq-BEVmGSmIpqz97ehsQGfnm5rS2IL/view?usp=sharing. Follow the submission guidelines outlined in the CFP.
How do I register for the conference?
Register at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GmMq-BEVmGSmIpqz97ehsQGfnm5rS2IL/view?usp=sharing. Early registration is recommended to secure your spot and avail discounts.
What topics are accepted at MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria?
The topics accepted at MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria include medieval studies. Papers that explore innovative ideas or solutions in these areas are highly encouraged.
What are the important dates for MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria?
- Start Date: 22 Feb, 2025
- End Date: 22 Feb, 2025
What is the location and date of MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria?
MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria will be held on 22 Feb, 2025 - 22 Feb, 2025 at Cornell University. More details about the event location and travel arrangements can be found on the conference’s official website.
Can I submit more than one paper to MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria?
Yes, multiple submissions are allowed, provided they align with the conference’s themes and topics. Each submission will be reviewed independently.
What is the review process for submissions?
Papers will be reviewed by a panel of experts in the field, ensuring that only high-quality, relevant work is selected for presentation. Each paper will be evaluated on originality, significance, and clarity.
What presentation formats are available at MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria?
Presentations can be made in various formats including oral presentations, poster sessions, or virtual presentations. Specific details will be provided upon acceptance of your paper.
Can I make changes to my submission after I’ve submitted it?
Modifications to your submission are allowed until the submission deadline. After that, no changes can be made. Please make sure all details are correct before submitting.
What are the benefits of attending MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria?
Attending MSSC 2025 : Cornell MSSC 2025: Dissonance and Dysphoria provides an opportunity to present your research, network with peers and experts in your field, and gain feedback on your work. Additionally, it is an excellent platform for career advancement and collaboration opportunities.
What should I include in my abstract or proposal submission?
Your abstract or proposal should include a concise summary of your paper, including its purpose, methodology, and key findings. Ensure that it aligns with the conference themes.