We invite panel and individual-paper proposals for the Film, Television and the 1950s Conference, to be held at Plymouth State University (Plymouth, New Hampshire) October 6-7, 2006.

The members of the conference committee are seeking contributions that explore noteworthy representations and themes explored in cinematic and televisual offerings during the decade of the 1950s. Participants are encouraged to interpret the conference theme broadly and innovatively. Individual presentations will be limited to 20 minutes in length. Possible topics and approaches may include, but are certainly not limited to, changing traditions and value systems, cold war culture, containment strategies, desegregation, normative gender roles and expectations, juvenile delinquency, mid-century icons and stars, the nuclear family, and saying what couldn’t be said.

We encourage submissions from scholars, educators, and students at all levels, and from disciplines including anthropology, communication, 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, 2006. 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: Film, Television and the 1950s 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 (603) 535-3122 or krhart@plymouth.edu