Call for Papers/Presentations
Children's and YA Literature
Southwest-Texas PCA/ACA Conference
Albuquerque, NM
February 12-15, 2003
Abstract Submission Deadline: December 1, 2002
Preferred Submission Format: E-mail; submit either in body of e-mail or
as Word or RTF document. As I do not have a regular office address this
semester, please do not send submissions via postal service unless
absolutely necessary.
Area Chair: Diana Dominguez
Submission e-mail addresses:
gypsy-scholar@worldnet.att.net (preferred)
gypsyscholar@hotmail.com
Conference/Organization Website (updated as particulars are added):
www.swtexaspca.org
Follow the links to conference information. Once again, online
registration and payment options will be available via the website, and
there will be a link to hotel registration.
Conference Particulars:
The 24th Annual Meeting of the Southwest-Texas Popular Culture
Association/American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Regional Conference
will be conducted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where we have had such
wonderful opportunities to enjoy fine papers, good company, and a
colorful site. Once again, the Albuquerque Hilton Hotel and the
Fairfield Inn by Marriott will be the host hotels with special
conference rates for participants.
Recipients of this CFP who are professors or instructors, please make
sure to inform graduate students of the various prizes for papers that
the SW/TX PCA/ACA organizations awards at each conference. Check the
organization website for award categories and submission deadline
information.
PLEASE NOTE:
Papers are welcomed for our meeting in ANY language--not simply
English. Any non-English paper must be accompanied by a 500-word
abstract in English on a single sheet of paper (bring at least 50
copies; front/back printing is recommended). Papers should be delivered
in the language of the speaker's choice and should be accompanied by
overhead projections and/or other complementing AV materials.
ALSO NOTE:
Please send AV needs with abstract. Available AV equipment is as
follows ONLY: overhead projector, slide projector (participants are
asked to bring their own carousels already set up with slides), TV/VCR
combo, and CD/Tape player. Please note that the organization DOES NOT
have the capability or funds to provide Power Point LCD projectors or
computers. Please consider making slides or transparencies of Power
Point materials.
This year, my fourth as Children's Literature Area Chair, I invite
participants to think of their own experiences/relationships with
Children's Literature. Scholarly papers are always welcome, but in
keeping with the mission of the organization, I'd also like to inject
some more "popular culture" themes or panels. Please see my list of
possible topics for more traditional papers, but I would also like to
invite possible presenters and conference attendees to participate in
two different discussion or "round table" forum.
In the first, I'd like us to focus on personal likes/dislikes, personal
reminiscences of favorite stories or stories that had a major impact,
and "revisiting" favorite stories as an adult (how has perception
changed, what has changed, what do we like/not like about our favorite
childhood stories now that we are in the adult world; or, why have these
remained favorites?)
In the second, I'd like us to discuss ways in which we have used, would
like to use, or have seen others use Children's Literature in courses in
high school or beyond. What books work, why, what do they perhaps
impart that other means cannot, how might they bridge the gap between
more "elementary" and more "mature" reading/writing/thinking skills.
This could also include a discussion of the rise of Children's
Literature courses in both Education and English department settings
across the country (and maybe other parts of the world). I invite
participants to bring in favorite books they have used or think might be
useful, and we might even have time to read short excerpts as examples.
How can Children's Literature be used as effective assignment tools in
writing, literature, rhetoric, illustration/art, history, (etc.)
courses?
I will try to schedule these forums (if we have enough interest in
forming them) so they don't conflict with other Children's Literature
panels so that all Children's Literature participants can plan to
attend. Please let me know if you would like me to set these two
discussion panels up.
Other possible topics I am interested in for more traditional panels
(but please don't feel limited by these):
Gender behavior/roles in Children's or YA literature – what models are
out there? Do we need more focus on this issue? Does Children's and YA
literature represent the "real world" in this area?
I am especially interested in looking at Children's and YA Literature
titles that "retell" fairy tales or folk tales, in both serious and
humorous ways: Robin McKinley (Beauty), Debra Jo Napoli (Zel), or Jon
Scieszka (The True Story of the Three Little Pigs), o Janet
Stevens/Susan Stevens Crummel's (And The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon)
come to mind as examples. Why are these so popular? What is at work
behind these retellings? Is it the Politically Correct environment, or
is there more to it? McKinley and Napoli are especially adept at
creating characters that appeal greatly to readers on different levels,
and that veer strongly away from the "stock" characteristics found in
the fairy tales they use as inspiration.
"Othering" in Children's or YA literature – has 9/11 had an effect on
how ethnicities or difference is portrayed? I don't want to focus on
9/11 specifically, but I am interested in whether Children's or YA
literature has been affected by some of the themes/attitudes arising out
of the tragedy (more patriotism, less "tolerance" for
outsiders/immigrants, issues of security and safety, etc.) – or, have
Children's and YA literature publishers helped to encourage tolerance
and acceptance?
The Fantasy/Sci-Fi market for Children's and YA literature – has the
popularity of The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter increased this
market? (PLEASE, no Harry Potter papers for this category as there is a
separate Harry Potter Area, chaired by Chris Malone). This could
include papers on Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, Chronicles
of Narnia, Madeleine L'Engle's books, Robin McKinley's The Hero and The
Crown and The Blue Sword, and others. Do these authors, who write books
aimed at the children's/YA AND adult markets create a "cross-over"
readership? McKinley, for instance, has her "retold" fairy tale BEAUTY,
distinctly aimed at the YA market, but also has the darker, more mature
DEERSKIN (a complex and beautiful book, but definitely not a children's
or even YA volume). Does Fantasy/Sci-Fi lend itself to this cross-over
quality more than other types of books?
I would also love to see a panel focused on illustration/picture books –
I am a particularly avid fan of Chris van Alsburg and Michael Hague,
whose illustrations are like works of art. Any other influential,
"different," or perhaps even controversial illustrators out there to
discuss?
Cultural/Ethnic/Transnational perspectives and/or issues in Children's
or YA literature – is our diverse national make-up being represented
fully? What is lacking? What positive trends are appearing?
As always, other topics are welcomed dealing with children's or YA
literature – and I really would like to see more YA
papers/presentations, as there is not a separate area for it, and I
don't feel it receives enough attention. Please consider participating
and presenting, even if you do not consider yourself a Children's
Literature "expert." Different points of view are always welcome!
Please submit a 250-300 word abstract (full paper NOT necessary) and
brief (short paragraph) bio information to me by December 1, 2002.
Again, e-mail submissions are STRONGLY preferred/encouraged. Remember
to also tell me the AV needs you anticipate.
Contact information:
Diana Dominguez
Area Chair, Children's/YA Literature
SW/TX PCA/ACA
gypsy-scholar@worldnet.att.net (preferred)
gypsyscholar@hotmail.com
If you DO need to send a hard copy via postal service, please e-mail me
to let me know and I will give you my mailing address (it is my personal
address, so I prefer not to distribute it widely over the net). Please
keep in mind that the school address listed for me on the organization's
website is far away from where I now live, so your mail would have to be
forwarded to me – delaying a response to you. Any submissions I
received via e-mail will be responded to within days.
Hope to see you in Albuquerque!
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