48th Seminar of Slovene Language, Literature and Culture
IDEOLOGIES IN SLOVENE LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND CULTURE
Ljubljana, 2–13 July 2012
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NOTICE
This year's Seminar will for all participants (beginners, intermediate and advanced level) started on 2 July and ending on 13 July.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Submission of applications for scholarships
of the Seminar Committee 31. March 2012
- Notification of selection of the Seminar
Committee scholarships 10 April 2012
- Submission of registration forms and language tests
for scholarship recipients 20 April 2012
- Notification of placement in two-week or three-week groups 20 May 2012
- Registration by those paying for themselves 31 May 2012
- Payment by those paying for themselves 20 June 2012
- Arrival at the seminar 1 July 2012
- Departure from the seminar 14 July 2012
This year's seminar, the 48th, will take place under the general heading Ideologies in Slovene Language, Literature and Culture. We will talk about the ideologies that accompany our every step. Ideologies are not artificially created things, nor are they just something sent to bother us and which we must tolerate, but there is ideology in every one of us (the cover illustration shows both what they are and are not). For example, over the course of two days I heard the following normative statements: Pes rabi gospodarja (A dog needs a master), a mother explaining to her child, Slovenska politika rabi trdo roko (Slovene politics needs a firm hand), said a man, Slovenija ima premajhno gospodarsko rast (Economic growth in Slovenia is too small), said the television, Ni moralne in nemoralne literature, ampak samo dobra in slaba (There is no moral or immoral literature, only good and bad), a student quoted Wilde, Homoseksualci ne smejo posvajati otrok (Homosexuals should not be allowed to adopt children), Vse manjšine imajo enake pravice (All minorities have the same rights), Študentje nimajo kaj protestirati, ampak morajo študirati (Students have nothing to protest about, they should be studying). All these statements are ideological: the first is speciesist and there follows authoritarian, liberal, aesthetic, chauvinist, multicultural and legalistic. We can use the concept of ideology in different ways: broad or narrow, evaluative or non-evaluative. Some understand it very broadly, as a set of convictions about a whole range of things that we have as members of groups – from etiquette through science and art to politics and faith. In a narrower sense ideologies are only political -isms, such as liberalism, socialism, communism, fascism, perhaps also feminism, etc. Whenever we use the word in its broad sense it is not usually evaluative; in its narrow sense, it is used pejoratively, as false or perverted consciousness. At this year's seminar we take the former approach: ideology is the system of ideas (convictions, principles, traditions, myths) of some social group, with which it presents and justifies its moral, religious, political, social, aesthetic, scientific and economic interests, thus guiding the decisions made by its members. Ideology serves individuals by providing moral, political or philosophical justification for their behaviour or convictions and standpoints. We acquire these convictions gradually, through the process of socialisation and, in contrast with science or philosophy, unsystematically and often even non-explicitly and unconsciously. As a result, we defend our standpoints and oppose those of others (for instance, we declare ourselves to be left wing and oppose the right), without necessarily being aware of the fundamental ideas underlying this ideological stance. Ideology is relatively coherent and all encompassing, so it makes decisions easier and the strange familiar so that we can accept or reject it. We can discuss ideology in a non-evaluative way, but a specific ideology is not a value-free system, in fact quite the opposite: an ideology is constructed around values, norms, explanations and goals; it offers an optimal concept of the world or a part of it; it normalises the world, telling us how we should live our lives. Ideological groups define themselves in the dichotomy we-they (liberals vs. communitarians vs. anarchists, believers vs. atheists, ascetics vs. hedonists, racists vs. democrats and multiculturalists, those who engage in sport vs. the inactive, my nation vs. their nation, our science, our art, our fashion etc. vs. theirs). By their nature groups also usually build their mythology and decide which events in their history and which personalities were most significant (in Slovene national literary ideology Trubar, Prešeren and Jurčič are key figures, Hren, Koseski or Koder are troublesome elements). Ideologies are diverse and so we talk about political, class, race, sexual, educational, family, cultural, aesthetic and even scientific ideologies. The same person, as a member of different groups, can adhere to a number of different ideologies and from them creates his or her world view. The most frequent metaphor for an ideology is a pair of glasses through which we see the world. Ideologies are present at every language level, from phonetics, lexis, metaphor to whole texts and in all types of language – in speech, pictures, theatre, film, music, dance, ritual. They are most comfortable if the owner is not even aware of them and so we need others to point them out to us. We shall point out some ideologies at this year's seminar.
Those who have attended the seminar before will notice a change in this year's timetable. Classes now start each day at 9.00 and finish by 16.00, with a lunch break of 75 minutes. In contrast with previous seminars, there will be for all participants (also for upper intermediate and advanced groups) conversation classes and phonetics exercises; the afternoon/evening programme (literary evenings, theatre performances, round table discussions) will begin later.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Aleksander Bjelčevič,
President of the 48th SSJLK
The organiser
The seminar is organised by the Centre for Slovene as a Second/Foreign Language at the Department of Slovene Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Kongresni trg 12, SI-1000 Ljubljana.
The participants
The seminar participants are foreign Slovene Studies and Slavic Studies specialists, writers, translators, experts in comparative linguistics and literature, and others who include Slovene in any other way in their life and work: teachers, researchers and students of Slovene and Slavic Studies at universities and research institutes abroad and in ethnic Slovene areas, etc. At the seminar they deepen and enrich their knowledge, learn about the latest findings and have genuine contact with the Slovene language, literature and culture.
The venue
The morning programme takes place entirely at the Faculty of Arts, the University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 2, Ljubljana, while the afternoon and evening programme is organised at different locations in Ljubljana.
The lecturers and language teachers
The lecturers, language teachers and other teaching staff at the seminar are established experts and professors from the Department of Slovene Studies, Centre for Slovene as a Second/Foreign language, the Department of Slavic Studies, other departments of the Faculty of Arts, other faculties of the University of Ljubljana, or other Slovene universities and leading research and national institutions and eminent experts and academics from abroad.
THE PROGRAMME
Two-week seminar (2–13 July 2012)
The two week seminar includes practical language classes (2–3* school hours per day), conversation classes (1–2* school hours per day) and phonetics classes (2 school hours for each group), as well as lectures and special courses. Participation in this part of the programme is compulsory and is required in order to obtain the certificate of attendance.
There is also a rich, optional afternoon/evening programme of different events.
*The balance between the number of hours for practical classes and conversation is agreed by the lecturers.
Practical language classes
Practical classes are organised in 4 beginners, 6 intermediate and 3 advanced groups. According to their interests, participants of the advanced groups can choose among linguistic, literary and general groups. Individual participants are assigned to an appropriate group on the basis of a language test completed before arrival at the seminar, and oral testing carried out at the beginning of the 2-week/3-week seminar. Practical classes are compulsory for all groups.
Conversation classes
These classes are aimed at improving communication skills, extending vocabulary, internalising communication patterns and eliminating errors. They will deal with themes taken from everyday life, with an emphasis on practical communication and on extending acquaintance with Slovenia and its culture. Conversation classes are compulsory for all groups. For beginners and lower intermediates some extra hours of conversation with students from the University of Ljubljana, the Department of Slovene Studies will probably be organised.
Phonetics classes
Phonetics classes are compulsory and organized on two different levels: (a) classes for beginners that start with an introduction to the Slovene spoken language and specifics of its phonetics, with examples from texts. This is followed by practical exercises to improve pronunciation and listening skills necessary for more efficient learning and use of the language. The exercises are adjusted to the participants’ level of knowledge and to their mother tongue; (b) exercises for intermediate and advanced level, intended to improve speaking skills and understanding of spoken texts.
Lectures
Lectures (approximately 12 hours), aimed primarily at intermediate and advanced groups, present and discuss the latest ideas on Slovene linguistic, literary and cultural creative work. At the 48th Seminar of Slovene Language, Literature and Culture they will focus on the overall theme of Ideologies in Slovene Language, Literature and Culture. As always, the results will appear in the seminar proceedings.
Special courses
Elective courses of 6–8 hours each take an in-depth look at current issues relating to the Slovene standard language and literature, translation, Slovene culture and Slovene as a second/foreign language. Classes take the form of workshops. The lecturers’ contributions are published in the seminar proceedings. Selection of and participation in an elective course is compulsory for all participants.
The accompanying programme
The seminar also offers a rich afternoon-evening programme, which includes themed guided tours of Ljubljana, the showing of a Slovene film, a theatre performance, visits to museums, galleries and libraries, musical and literary evenings, etc. This additional programme includes a whole-day study excursion, which will take place this year on Saturday, 7 July 2012.
The library
The library of the Departments of Slovene/Slavic Studies keeps an open door for seminar participants. Throughout the duration of the seminar they can borrow books and turn for advice to the librarians. The library also prepares an exhibition every year, presenting recent professional literature, the best works of Slovene literature, and translations into foreign languages. The participants will visit the exhibition during their practical classes.
Internet access
Participants have access to the Internet on all floors of the Faculty of Arts and also at the Ivan Cankar hostel (Dijaški dom Ivana Cankarja).
Accommodation
Accommodation is organised at the Ivan Cankar hostel, Poljanska cesta 26/B. The hostel is situated in pleasant surroundings below Ljubljana Castle, 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre. It is a 20 minute walk from the hostel to the Faculty of Arts through the old part of the town. Accommodation is in twin or single rooms (at additional charge), with bathrooms on every floor. All participants receive self-service breakfast, for other meals they have to make their own arrangements. The hostel offers Internet access, an exercise room and a kitchen (participants must provide their own dishes and cooking utensils). More information is available on the website http://www.dic.si.
Participants of the 2-week seminar should arrive at the hostel on Sunday, 1 July 2012; the programme begins according to the timetable on Monday at 9 a.m., 2 July 2012 at the Faculty of Arts.
The departure date is Saturday, 14 July 2012.
The Seminar of Slovene Language, Literature and Culture is a central event through which the Republic of Slovenia promotes Slovene language, literature and culture throughout the world, by granting financial support on the basis of international contracts and co-operation programmes for ethnic Slovene organisations and researchers who are professionally engaged in Slovene, and for students at foreign universities who study Slovene. In allocating these scholarships, priority is given to Slovene specialists, university teachers, research and teaching assistants, postgraduate students and students of higher classes.
In addition to these scholarships available abroad, some are also granted by the seminar committee (either for the professional and accompanying programmes, together with bed-and-breakfast accommodation, or for the professional and accompanying programmes only). Requests should be sent by 31 March 2012 to the email address ssjlk@ff.uni-lj.si or damjan.huber@ff.uni-lj.si or via ordinary post to the seminar address. The seminar committee will decide on the scholarships in April. The number of scholarships varies each year, depending on the available funds.
Scholarship requests should include:
- curriculum vitae (with email address),
- motivation letter (citing current status, e.g. year of study, why the applicant is requesting the scholarship, how many times he/she has attended the seminar, etc.) and
- at least one letter of reference (teacher or lecturer in Slovene abroad, representative of a Slovene organisation abroad, representative of a diplomatic-consular office of the Republic of Slovenia, etc.).
Certificates and credit points (ECTS)
Participants at the Seminar of Slovene Language, Literature and Culture receive a certificate of attendance if they take regular part in the obligatory section of the programme.
The seminar will be credited under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Students who regularly attend language, conversation and phonetics classes, as well as lectures and elective courses, and who pass the exam at the end of the seminar, will receive for the three-week seminar 5 credit points (5 ECTS) and for the two-week seminar course 3 points (3 ECTS).
Medical insurance, temporary residence permit and registration with the police
All seminar participants are recommended to obtain a certificate of medical insurance in their home countries, otherwise they must pay the expenses of medical care and medication themselves.
As they will not be entering Slovenia as tourists but for purposes of study or professional training, they are advised to arrange before they come a temporary residence permit for Slovenia. This is particularly important for citizens of third countries (not the European Union, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein), who are required to obtain this document even for short visits, while citizens of member states of the European Economic Area must obtain it within 90 days of entering Slovenia, however, they must register with the police immediately after their arrival.
Payment (for participants who pay the fee and costs of accommodation themselves)
The registration fee includes language classes, conversation classes, phonetics classes, lectures, elective courses, textbooks or learning materials, the seminar proceedings, the accompanying programme, and event organisation. Participants paying for themselves can book accommodation at the Ivan Cankar hostel.
Prices for those paying themselves:
- fee:
- 2-week seminar: 550 EUR
- accommodation in a twin room in the Ivan Cankar hostel
(breakfast included):
- 2-week seminar: 240 EUR
- accommodation in a single room in the Ivan Cankar hostel
(breakfast included):
- 2-week seminar: 330 EUR
After we have received your registration form, we will send you the invoice by regular post or e-mail. You can pay the invoice at any bank or post office. Please send your payment receipt no later than 20 June 2012. You can send it to our e-mail address, fax +386 (0)1 241 86 44 or to our postal address. Please bring along a copy of the receipt when you join the seminar in order to help clarify possible misunderstandings.
Those receiving scholarships are requested to complete by 20 April 2012 the registration form on our website at www.centerslo.net/seminar (48th SSJLK, Registration Form) or to send it to us by regular post. We also request that by the same date you complete the language test and send it to us at ssjlk@ff.uni-lj.si or damjan.huber@ff.uni-lj.si or by regular post.
The registration form for participants of the 48th Seminar of Slovene Language, Literature and Culture paying the seminar fee and accommodation costs themselves should be sent by 31 May 2012. You can apply via the Internet at www.centerslo.net/seminar (48th SSJLK, Registration Form) or using the registration form from this booklet.
Members of the Core Organising Committee
Seminar president: Assist. Prof. Dr. Aleksander Bjelčevič
Head of the language teachers: Assist. Prof. Dr. Hotimir Tivadar
Seminar organisation: Dr. Mojca Nidorfer Šiškovič, Damjan Huber
Technical editor of seminar publications: Mateja Lutar
Contact address
Univerza v Ljubljani
Center za slovenščino kot drugi/tuji jezik
Seminar slovenskega jezika, literature in kulture
Damjan Huber
Kongresni trg 12
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Tel: +386 (0)1 241 86 76
Fax: +386 (0)1 241 86 44
E-mail addresses: ssjlk@ff.uni-lj.si, damjan.huber@ff.uni-lj.si
www.centerslo.net/seminar
