Ireland in Theory

CALL FOR BOOK PROPOSALS:   *Ireland in Theory*:  Irish Studies Series


This series of book-length studies, to be published by the Edwin 
Mellen Press,  is a new venture in the area of Irish Studies.  Its 
thematic approach will be interdisciplinary so that the developments 
in literary and cultural theory can be brought to bear on issues 
concerned with Irishness.

*Ireland in Theory* will imbricate the theoretical developments of the
 last fifty years with a questioning of the epistemological status of 
Irish writing, Irish culture and Irish identity, and their 
interaction.

By refusing to be limited by the traditional frameworks of 
academic disciplines, such a series will cross the boundaries that 
have kept literature, cultural studies, social studies, political 
studies, ideological studies and ethnic and racial studies apart, and 
bring about a new constellation in which all aspects of the Irish 
experience can be studied in new and challenging ways.

I would see such a series as concentrating on the following areas:

Studies which bring new theoretical perspectives to bear on the works
of individual writers, or groups of writers, of any period or genre.

Studies of more general areas in terms of historical periods, or 
generic divisions, wherein new interpretations of the underlying 
trends could bring about some genuinely fresh conclusions.  Various 
related issues, such as folklore studies, ethnography, cultural 
studies and literary and theoretical studies could be included in the
series, making it a comprehensive contribution to the field.

Studies which interrogate the political or ideological consequences of 
texts, and their readings, and which view the works of Irish writers 
as constitutive of different notions of Irishness, and Irish identity.

Studies which examine the different enunciations of Irishnesses - 
republican, nationalist, unionist, loyalist, religious, pluralist - or 
the interaction of any of these.

Studies which examine the influence of Europe on constructions 
of Irishness;  or which examine diasporic influences on Irishness in 
all its facets.  Hyphenated notions of identity, or borderline notions
 of Irishness, either literary or political are also encouraged.


The series is open to any of these approaches, or to any interrogation
the way in which the notion of Ireland has been enculturated, is being
enculturated or might possibly be enculturated in the future.
        
Please send abstracts, proposals or inquiries to:

Dr Eugene O'Brien, Editor *Ireland in Theory*:

Department of Languages
and Cultural Studies,                     Department of English,
College of Humanities                     Mary Immaculate College,
University of Limerick,                   Limerick, Ireland.
Ireland.                                  e-mail:  eobmac@iol.ie  
e-mail:  eobmac@iol.ie