The members of the conference committee are seeking contributions that explore stars as a complex, intriguing social phenomenon in relation to various media forms (e.g., film, television, tabloids, the Internet, etc.). Submissions pertaining to any historical era are desired. Participants are encouraged to interpret the conference theme broadly and innovatively. Individual presentations will be limited to 20 minutes in length. Possible topics may include, but are certainly not limited to, the emergence and historical development of the star system, silent-film stardom, stardom and media spectatorship, stardom and consumption, stardom and the paparazzi, reality-television “stars,” stars in the news, and studies of individual stars (past or present).

We encourage submissions from scholars, educators, and students at all levels, and from disciplines including anthropology, communications, cultural studies, film studies, GLBT studies, history, journalism, media studies, popular culture, sociology, and television studies. Selected papers will be published (with author’s permission) in a special anthology pertaining to the conference theme. As a bonus, please note that the conference dates correspond with the ideal time to enjoy New England’s breathtaking fall foliage!

Persons submitting individual-paper proposals are asked to submit a one-page abstract with complete contact information (name, institutional affiliation, snail-mail and e-mail addresses, daytime telephone number, fax number). Panel proposals (featuring three paper-presentations total) should include panel title, brief description of panel theme, name of the panel chair, one-page abstracts of each paper in the panel, and complete contact information for each presenter on the panel (name, institutional affiliation, snail-mail and e-mail addresses, daytime telephone number, fax number). In order to be considered, all proposals must be received no later than July 1, 2005. Individuals will be notified of the status of their proposals within three weeks of the submission deadline.

Please mail or e-mail conference proposals to: Media Stardom Conference, Attn: Kylo-Patrick Hart, Department of Communication Studies, Plymouth State University, 17 High Street, MSC 60, Plymouth, NH 03264; krhart@plymouth.edu

For specific inquiries prior to submitting a proposal, please contact Kylo-Patrick Hart at the telephone number or e-mail address provided below.