2011 Autumn school ‘Secular sounds, Islamic sounds and politics of listening’

’Screaming’

Muslims during street demonstrations, notably shouting religious slogans, are frequently shown in the media to underscore the danger of political Islam. Islamic music practices, on the other side, seem at times to be worthy of government funding, in the desire to shape particular Muslim subjectivities.

This event then wants to think through the conundrums posed by the sonic presence of Muslim minorities in the West, but includes reflections on this issue also regarding Muslim majority contexts. It aims at understanding the issues at stake of the sensing, and more particular listening body, in connection to secular governance.

Starting from the insights that sound and listening invoke a particular sensory register that simultaneously acts at the corporeal level and shapes subjectivities (Nancy) and that sound is ‘inscribed from the start within the panoply of power" (Attali), we want to tackle several questions: What does the emerging and quickly evolving Islamic soundscape and their interlinked listening practices in the West tell us about new (ethical) Muslim subjectivities? How does this relate to the ways in which sonic experiences affect the body? What kind of transformation occurs when these new practices leave the protected space of the counter-public sphere? How can these Islamic sound practices be submitted to governmental regimes? To what extent are sound policies implemented in order to securize a secular defined hegemonic project?

Program:

The program of summer school consists of both extensive lectures on the themes of the summer school and master-classes. These will be, organized by the senior scholars, with the latter allowing for a more thorough and interactive discussion of the themes. This will provide the participants with a context to discuss their own research linked to the theoretical and conceptual approaches mentioned above. A list of literature will be available to the participants in advance. We also intend to organize an Islamic music and poetry event which participants can attend.

The three days summer school is followed by a one-day workshop on the same topic to which a few additional researchers will be invited. All participants will be able to attend the workshop; some will also be invited to present their work there. At some of the events guests may be present.

Application and Fees:

Participation in the autumn school is limited to 20. Our target is (advanced) MA students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral fellows.
Applicants commit themselves to actively participate in the full program. In order to apply, please provide a cover letter with motivation for applying, a CV and a one page abstract of your current research project to mcpautumnschool@gmail.com

Participants are required to pay a fee of 150 Euros, after receiving notice that they have been selected. This covers the lectures, master classes and the seminar, as well as coffee, tee and lunch meals. In exceptional cases, those without financial support can ask for a waiver. Participants need to organize their own accommodation. A list of (cheap) hotels will be provided.

Dead-line for applications is September 6, 2010.

For further questions, please contact Annelies Moors and Jeanette Jouili:
mcpautumnschool@gmail.com
‘Secular sounds, Islamic sounds and politics of listening"

With:
Veit Erlman, University of Austin, TX
Deborah Kapchan, New York University
Brian Larkin, Barnard College/Columbia University
Martin Stokes, Oxford University
 

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