[ecrea] cfp: Communicating in a World of Norms Information and Communication in Contemporary Globalization

CALL FOR PAPERS

International Conference
(Lille, France, March 7-9, 2012)

Communicating in a World of Norms Information and Communication in 
Contemporary Globalization


Co-organized by the International Communication Association (ICA), the 
GERIICO [Group of studies and research on information and communication] 
and the SFSIC [French Society for Information and Communication 
Sciences], this event will constitute the 2012 ICA Regional conference 
in Europe. This first French edition, taking place in Lille on March 7, 
8 and 9, 2012, aims to develop strong scientific relationships between 
communication scholars represented by ICA all around the world.


1.    Theme

The processes of unification, interconnection and homogenization of 
information and communications technologies (ICT) have created the image 
of a world of shared technological and communicational norms. The 
promise of a universal and democratic sharing of information and 
cultural products through digital network technologies paradoxically 
materializes itself in the promotion of a univocal communicative and 
administrative model. In parallel, cultural and linguistic diversity 
remains a key feature of humanity. Military and economic conflicts are 
now more than ever an ongoing reality. Their collateral damages affect 
human beings as much as their environment. Meanwhile, the shared 
representation of human space as a "market" is a reference in 
negotiations, transactions and communications legitimized by the media 
coverage, multinational corporations and, to some extent, common 
representations. Mainstream media reproduces a consensual culture of 
communication. Even if the limits of their authority are more 
technically, culturally and geographically restrained than they claim it 
to be, their legitimacy is barely contested. Indeed, protests do not 
alter their power, and are still viewed as marginal and can sometimes be 
recycled as alibi.

In this context, communication, considered as a socio-technical 
activity, associated with specific purposes and values can be analyzed 
from many angles. Can technological norms induce communication rules? 
And, in this case, does the finality of communication require the (more 
or less shared) mastering of these technologies? Furthermore, are norms 
neutral or value laden? If they are motivated by values, can we infer 
that they should be addressed through critical debate? Is the 
standardization of communicational conventions apace and inevitable? If 
so, would it be considered as a project within the main mandate of 
communication professionals, or, on the contrary, an obstacle that they 
should overcome? Moreover, as a danger against which we should guard 
ourselves, along our efforts to preserve biodiversity? Should we 
facilitate the sharing of communication rules that are distinctive to 
the public sphere of "market-oriented democracies"? Or, should we favor 
and revitalize cultural and communicational diversity?

Another facet of the globalization of communication is the meeting and 
confrontation of cultures and languages. Two paths are open to us: the 
path of homogenization and standardization, or, on the contrary, the 
path of cultural diversity and the management of heterogeneity. Hence, 
communication can lead either to simplification, as well as converging 
and univocal translations, or to the exploitation and development of 
complexity and diversity.


2.    Goals

With this conference, we hope to:

- contribute to the international diffusion of information and 
communication research, as well as to develop international partnerships.
- confront the positions of researchers and scholars who, even if they 
operate within distinct (geographical, cultural, linguistic, 
organizational and epistemological) frameworks, have a common interest 
in communicational forms and processes of (economic, social, 
technological, cultural, managerial) regulations and/or standardization.


3.    Axes of Questioning

In this international conference, our relationship with 
(anthropological, technological and managerial) norms will be discussed 
according to four main axes of questioning and problematization:

Axis 1: Communicational Approaches to Norms in Organizations

Considering the technological and managerial devices that are currently 
deployed in (and by) institutions and organizations, we will question 
the processes of social transformation that result from managerial and 
technological models of information and communication. The 
organizational (re)configurations and control mechanisms will be 
discussed and analyzed from situations, processes and policies of 
communication that can be observed in a variety of organizational 
(business, governmental, administrative, associative) and cultural 
contexts. This axis will encourage the comparison between various 
approaches, paradigms and methods mobilized by different sub-fields of 
research in organizational communication.

Axis 2: Visual worlds: Contributions of Information and Communication 
Studies to Visual Studies?

This theme aims at specifying what contributions communication scholars 
can make to the analysis and development of the field of visual 
communication. Starting from the new visual paradigms and the 
interdisciplinary character of visual studies, we will analyze the 
social construction of visual universes and the conditions of their 
political (norms, legislation, influence, censorship) and economical 
(industrialization, formats, standards) control. Furthermore, 
socio-semiotic analyses will help reveal the artificial character of 
visual representations and their "reality effects" through multiple 
forms: press, artistic creation, education, cultural industry, medical 
imagery.

Axis 3: New Media, New Public Spheres?

This axis will seek to put into perspective research on the development 
and usage of electronic media that potentially constitute new spaces of 
information, creativity, controversies, or even deliberation. From the 
"blogosphere" to the public sphere, through the mutation of journalism 
and politics, we will assess the potentialities and limits of the 
Internet enabled by the diversity of its formats and usages.

Axis 4: Communication Between Cultures: Another Globalization?

In a context where cultural industrialization contributes to 
simultaneously democratize the access to culture and standardizes forms 
of expression, what are the possible pathways of intercultural 
communication and/or mediation? Can the development of information and 
communication technologies identify alternatives to the linguistic and 
cultural standardization in our access to learning. What can be drawn 
from the multicultural, intercultural and trans-cultural approaches 
developed by communication scholars?



4.    Submission

The proposals (1000 words) will be submitted in French or English by the 
author on the online platform " Conftool " of the event's website: 
(http://evenements.univ-lille3.fr/communiquer-dans-un-monde-de-normes/) 
the submission period will run between the 1st of July and 30th of 
September 2011 included. The proposals will be peer-reviewed under 
double blind conditions.

Font and layout :
Title: Times new roman, bold, size 18
First name, last name and organisation: Times new roman, bold, size 12
Core text : Times new roman, size 12, no blank between the lines. Style 
: italics when necessary, bold for the titles.
Footnote : Times new roman, size 10.
No manual paragraph tabs, but a 0.75 cm automatic tab. NO TEMPLATE
Volume :
1000 words + bibliography
Languages :
The proposals must without fail be submitted in French or in English.
The authors will get an answer at the beginning of December 2011.


5.    Contacts

Project heads of the conference
Patrice de la Broise                            François Cooren
(patrice.delabroise /at/ univ-lille3.fr)                    (f.cooren /at/ umontreal.ca)

Head Manager                            Registration fees
Malika Laouail                            Claire Gabriel
(malika.laouail /at/ univ-lille3.fr)                        
(claire.gabriel /at/ univ-lille3.fr)
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