The 62nd World Science Fiction Convention (also known as Worldcon, and in this instance Noreascon 4) will be taking place in Boston, Massachusetts September 2-6, 2004. Attendance figures are expected to exceed 6000.

The Academic Program Track is seeking papers, panel presentations, seminars, workshops, and poster presentations on all subjects relating to science fiction, fantasy, and horror literature, including, but not limited to:

• Teaching Speculative Fiction
• Teaching other courses through Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror (SF, F, & H)
• Critical Thinking through SF, F, & H
• Teaching through Speculative Media (Potter, Rings, and other things)
• Teaching Diversity through SF, F, & H
• Teaching History through SF, F, & H
• Teaching Terry Pratchett
• Teaching William Tenn
• Teaching J. R. R. Tolkien
• Interlacing Folklore Archetypes Within SF, F, & H
• Advising an SF Club
• Looking from the Past to the Future
• History of Speculative Fiction
• Fan Fiction
• Ethnography of Fandom
• Filk Music and Ethnomusicology
• Comics as Literature
• Censorship

Of particular interest are materials dealing with the Guests of Honor, authors Terry Pratchett and William Tenn, but we will accept submissions focusing on a wide variety of genre authors and subjects.

We are more than happy to consider pre-arranged panels and presentations, as well as the appearance of a presenter on more than one program item.

These sessions will be open to the general membership of the convention, as well as those seeking to earn academic credit by way of a special course offered through Suffolk University.

As so many people who do not normally attend academic conventions will be present, presentation of material previously offered in other venues (either previously published or presented) will be acceptable.

Please submit a brief abstract of your paper, presentation, panel, or workshop. 100-200 words will be sufficient. Feel free to inquire about prospective papers, presentations, or panels.

The Worldcon, or World Science Fiction Convention, is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS). Worldcons have been held each year since 1939 with the exception of four years during World War II. Locations have included the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, Germany, and The Netherlands. Science fiction and fantasy fans travel from places as diverse as Japan, Israel, Argentina, Brazil, Norway, Finland, Croatia, New Zealand, and Russia to attend.

For more information on Noreascon 4, including registration rates and other information, please visit our website.

Please address all inquiries to Dr. Solomon Davidoff, Academic Program Chair, via the email address below. Please use the words "N4 Academic Track" in the subject line.

Dr. Solomon Davidoff

The Gann Academy
English Department
333 Forest St
Waltham MA 02452-4717

New England Institute of Art
General Education Department
10 Brookline Place West
Brookline, MA 02445