I invite contributions for an edited collection that examines representations of the serial killer in film and television. The serial killer has become increasingly prevalent in popular culture. It is the aim of this book to explore the socio-political reasons for the emergence of this cultural figure, and to examine how representations of the serial killer and serial killing function to address contemporary cultural concerns and preoccupations.

The collection will be aimed at an academic and student readership in the disciplines of Cultural Studies, Sociology, Media and Film Studies. However, given the popularity of the serial killing genre, this book will also appeal to a general audience.

I invite submissions that critique representations of the serial killer in relation to issues including, but not limited to:
• Masculinity and violence
• The female serial killer
• The body as commodity
• Consumer culture
• Celebrity and fandom culture
• The ‘society of the spectacle’
• The postmodern ‘society of strangers’/loss of community
• Identity fraud
• National identity
• Surveillance society
• Terrorism
• Theories of power and functions of the nation-state
• Public and private spheres (serial killing as a ‘public’ activity often performed in the domestic setting)
• Serial murder as ‘game playing’
• Postmodern detective fiction and processes of detection

Films that could be discussed include, but are not limited to, The Silence of the Lambs (1991); Natural Born Killers (1994); Copycat (1995); Seven (1995); Kiss the Girls (1997); The Bone Collector (1999); American Psycho (2000); The Watcher (2000); Monster (2003); Taking Lives (2004); the Saw series (2004-08); The Strangers (2008); Funny Games (1997/2008) and Untraceable (2008).

Television shows that might be considered include Dexter (2006-present); CSI (2000-present) and Law and Order: SVU (1999-present). You might also discuss films that offer accounts of the ‘true’ crimes of ‘real life’ serial killers such as The Boston Strangler (1968); Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986); Dahmer (2002); Ted Bundy (2002); and Karla (2006).

Please send a 300-500 word abstract with a working title and brief biographical statement (including your contact information, affiliation, position and also a list of relevant publications) in MS Word format to Alzena D’Costa [A.D’Costa@curtin.edu.au] on or before 31 March 2009.

The submission of a complete paper is not necessary. I will invite papers (7000-8000 words) for the collection at a later date.

Any inquiries should be sent to:
Dr Alzena D'Costa
Associate Lecturer
Dept of Communication & Cultural Studies
School of Media, Culture & Creative Arts
Email: A.D'Costa@curtin.edu.au
Curtin University of Technology
Phone: +61 8 9266 7441