International Conference in Landau: Transforming Diversity in Modern Societies: Theories and Approaches
‘Diversity’ has become a key word for describing modern societies. One of its central aspects is a dynamic form of social fragmentation resulting from the growing divide between the rich and the poor (see Winkler / Degele 2010), political polarisations (see Hess et al. 2011, Soeffner / Boldt 2014), socio-demographic change (see Dilger / Warstatt 2021), and global mediascapes in the sense of Arjun Appadurai (1996). While researchers agree that diversity is a hallmark of contemporary life, the enduring challenge resides in how to best map its various forms and related fragmentations as well as their impact (see Nieswand 2024). The aim of this conference is to address this challenge by concentrating on four interlocking research fields. Firstly, it will gauge how novel theories of intersectionality (e.g., Chantal Jaquet’s concept of complexion [2014/2023]) enhance our understanding of modern subject formation. Secondly, it will address the pictorial staging of diversity in historical contexts (e.g., stereotypes, iconographies, ruptures in tradition). The third research field builds on these perspectives (theory and mediality) by concentrating on ‘luxury’ as an illustrative case study for transformed diversity in the 21st century. Fourthly, the conference will explore media representations of fragile participation in contemporary literature and film in the context of adolescence and diversity.
