Norm and Exceptions: Between obedience, existence and resistance

Norm and Exceptions: Between obedience, existence and resistance

Dear Colleagues,

The University of Ottawa Political Studies Graduate Students Association is pleased to invite you to a multidisciplinary Graduate Student Conference, entitled "Norm and Exceptions", which will take place on October 7th and 8th 2010 at the University of Ottawa (Ontario, Canada). Our aim is to solicit multidisciplinary contributions and discussions on norms and exceptions. With the intent to foster a dialogical space, we seek to encourage participants from a range of disciplines, perspectives and approaches.

Norm and Exceptions

Processes of normalization take place by the institution of a social ordering, through which the collective respect of a number of prescriptions is established. At the same time, the institution of a norm generates several exceptions that can appear either as discursive barriers (discrimination, otherness, domination etc.) or as deviance (marginality, lifestyles and alternative thinking, etc.). In this perspective, a norm can be conceived as the formation of guidelines orienting the affirmation of social engagement. For many, norms can be seen as mandatory passing points through which behaviors and expressions are restrained. The formal or informal resulting rules may consequently differ from certain cultural, political, aesthetic, scientific, trends. A norm, and its exception, can also be represented as the expression of power and its legitimacy. Sovereignty appears as a result to be linked with the determination of the exception. It is therefore necessary to explore the complex and multifaceted relationship between norm and exception. What structures their coexistence? How does the exception irrupt in social reality? How does it reveal itself? What happens when the norm is unclear or when the exception is generalized? Is the norm an obstacle to singularity? Or is it a necessary condition for the existence of a society?

Suggestions of possible themes:

• Aboriginality
• Environment
• Epistemology
• Space/Territoriality
• Gender
• Governance
• Identity

The paper abstracts, which can be in either English or French, must not exceed 350 words. They must be submitted to normeetexceptions2010@hotmail.com before May 28th 2010. Please note that proposals for panels will also be considered, but must be comprised of 4 to 6 speakers.

http://www.normeetexceptions2010.com/ne2010/home.htm

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