Visual Forms in the Age of Shakespeare
A short residential course for doctoral students
University of Agder, Norway, 23-27 May

Increasingly, critical readings of the plays and poems have explored their location within, around and in debate with visual structures of their age. Discussions of structure, imagery, character construction and direct allusion have become frequent, and the major editions of the plays now often include images from the period as part of their introductions. Finding a balance between the use of such forms as adjuncts to critical and theoretical analysis amd preserving their own identities is a major, yet often unstated, issue in thinking of this kind.

This short residential course brings together some leading figures in the discussion of visual forms of the period (see below), both to discuss the major genres with which the plays and poems might be said to interact and to offer their own guidance to doctoral students working in the field.

The main bulk of the meeting will be given over to the close discussion of short pieces – parts of chapters, overall thesis summaries, statements of critical positions, or other kinds of writing on the topic. In this way, the meeting will operate as a genuine exchange of ideas as well as a means of offering advice and comment for work currently being produced.

The meeting will begin with dinner on the evening of the 23rd, continue with three full days of lectures and discussions, and end after breakfast on the 27th. We envisage a total attendance of around 15 doctoral students.

A small number of bursaries will be available to cover the cost of accommodation, while students will be expected to fund their travel costs from the institutions at which they are registered.

Those interested in attending should send, by email to Professor Stuart Sillars (stuart.sillars@if.uib.no) no later than 31 March*:

• Details of their institution, doctoral subject, and expected date of completion;
• A description of their research topic, in about 200 words
• A title and short abstract of the piece of writing they will submit for consideration – of no more than 12 douible-spaced pages.

Those selected for bursaries will be notified as soon as possible after receipt of their proposals. Details of the hotel, the University and the timetable will follow at a later stage.

*Please note the application deadline has been extended through April, and there is still time to apply.