We invite panel and individual-paper proposals for the African and African-American Popular Culture Conference, to be held at Plymouth State University (Plymouth, New Hampshire) October 5-6, 2007. The members of the conference committee are seeking contributions that examine noteworthy forms of African diasporic cultural production, during any historical era, at the intersection of popular culture. Participants are encouraged to interpret the conference theme broadly and innovatively. Individual presentations will be limited to 20 minutes in length.

We encourage submissions from scholars, educators, and students at all levels, and from disciplines including African and African-American studies, anthropology, communication, cultural studies, film studies, history, journalism, LGBT studies, media studies, popular culture, sociology, and television studies. We intend to publish selected papers (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, mail and e-mail addresses, daytime telephone 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, mail and e-mail addresses, daytime telephone number). In order to be considered, all proposals must be received no later than July 15, 2007.

Please mail or e-mail conference proposals to: African and African-American Popular Culture Conference, Attn: Kylo-Patrick Hart, Department of Communication and Media 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