Call for Papers
Sexual histories: bodies and desires uncovered
23/24/25 July 2007
XfI Centre, University of Exeter

Key Note Speakers include: Professor Joan Cadden, UC Davis Professor Philippa Levine, University of Southern California

Histories of bodies and sexuality remain dominated by categories of analysis drawn from contemporary, Western society despite awareness that to do so is potentially misleading, euro-centric and anachronistic. Narratives of change about sexual histories are dominated by ideas about repression and liberation, and historical investigations continue to be framed by modern concepts such as homosexuality and pornography. This conference seeks papers on a wide range of topics across all time periods and disciplines, addressing issues to do with both practice and representation. It is hoped that through such interdisciplinary exchange we can discuss and develop strategies for approaching the study of sex, bodies and desires which are both sensitive to the nuances and complexities of past sexual cultures and able to speak to contemporary concerns and non-specialist audiences. We would especially like to encourage discussion of the following topics:
> sexuality and the life cycle
> body shape, presentation and desire
> transsexuality and intersex
>unusual sexual practices
> rape and sexual violence
> pornography and its politics non-European perspectives.

If you are interested in presenting a paper at this conference, please could you contact Dr Sarah Toulalan either at the History Department, University of Exeter, Rennes Drive, Exeter, EX4 4RJ or by email at S.D.Toulalan@ex.ac.uk with a title and abstract by 31 October 2006.