The AILA-ReN “Sociocultural Theory & Emergentism“ & Langscape
call for papers for the

Symposium
“Interactions of Sociocultural Theory and Emergentism in SLA and Language Education Studies – Conceptual and Interdisciplinary Concerns”

13 December, 2013
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
9am – 5pm

The AILA-Research Network (ReN) “Sociocultural Theory & Emergentism” was called to life in 2012 at its kick-off meeting in Groningen in December 2012. For the follow-up meeting in 2013, it is time to expand our circles.

Even though Sociocultural Theory and Emergentism (also referred to as Dynamic Systems Theory, DST) have been on the scene of Applied Linguistics and SLA for many years, the view of bringing both into contact appears to be still fresh.

Both SCT and Emergentism embrace non-linear or context models of learning processes, disengage with merely positivist views of cognition and rely on epistemologies of situated knowledge. However, the relation of both approaches has been the subject of heated debate, which is by no means settled. The aim of the Symposium is therefore to set aside antagonising views of SCT and Emgergentism/DST and to explore potential contact zones at the theoretical, epistemological, conceptual and methodological level when bringing SCT and DST perspectives on L2-Ln learning together or when linking SCT and/or DST with other current theoretical/philosophical theories of language learning and language education.

Interaction will not only be aimed for at the level of theoretical discourse but also for the mode of collaboration. Preliminary versions of the papers (5 pages max.) will be circulated among the participants prior to the Symposium and discussed in workshop sessions on the basis of very short presentations. Paper proposals should address and discuss any of the following topics:

• Basic concepts
• Research methodology
• Implications for empirical research
• Interdisciplinarity/multiperspectivity of research

Please send a title for a presentation and a 300-word abstract to the organisers by Sept. 8, 2013.

Notification for accepted papers will be due by September 18^th September, 2013

Preliminary versions (5 pages max.) will be due by Dec. 1^st2013

A selection of full papers are planned to be published in a peer-reviewed edited volume.

Venue: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin