Snapshots from Abroad:
A Conference on American and British Travel Writers and Writing

November 14 to 16, 1997
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

We welcome proposals for topics on all aspects of anglophone travel writers and writing, especially from the 18th century onward. The idea of the conference began with two series of Dictionary of Literary Biography volumes, one on British overseas travellers since 1837, and the other on American travellers overseas and into United States territories between 1776 and 1915.

TOPICS: In addition to being interested in individual travellers' accounts, we have identified the following as relevant themes and sites of theoretical inquiry:

• The "outside world" as seen from national perspectives
• Rhetoric, forms, genres, types, and tropes
• The "literary" status of travel writing
• Discovery and re-discovery (e.g., Americans going to England)
• The effects of transportation
• Historical modes: romanticism, realism, modernism, etc.
• Tourism
• Special groups of writers: journalists, missionaries, ethnographers
• The relation between travel writing and empire building
• Travel writing in the 1990s

ABSTRACTS: Please send an abstract of about 500 words which outlines your topic for a 20-minute talk. This should include, as appropriate, the travel writer(s) you will discuss, something about your approach, and something about your conclusions; if relevant, let us know if you plan to use slides or overhead projections.

Include your name, professional affiliation, addresses (including e-mail if possible), and a phone number.

DEADLINES:
First review: July 15, 1997;
absolutely final: September 15, 1997

HOWEVER: It will help us to know NOW if you plan to submit an abstract.

ALSO: If you would like to be on our e-mail or surface-mail list for further news and announcements, please send the relevant address by return posting to Donald Ross.

The co-chairs are Donald Ross, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, and James Schramer, Youngstown State University; both universities are sponsoring the conference.

Send your abstract, address, and questions to
Professor James Schramer,
English Department,
Youngstown State University,
Youngstown OH 44555-3415,

jjschram@cc.ysu.edu