CFP: Battlestar Galactica One Day Conference (UK) (6/1/07; 7/28/07)

BSG 2007
The Politics, Poetics and Philosophy of Battlestar Galactica
A One Day Symposium

28 July 2007
Buckingham Chilterns University College, High Wycombe, UK

Since its return, the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica has
emerged as the most politically, philosophically and
artistically compelling television series of recent years.
Opening with the near-obliteration of mankind by a race of
cyborgs evolved from human technologies, BSG’s survivors
– including a war-weary military commander, a minor
cabinet member suddenly elevated to President, a scientific
genius harbouring a secret and hallucinating his duplicitous
girlfriend – variously struggle to reconcile the grief and
guilt of survival, their own personal and psychological
flaws, and the demands of fighting an enemy uncannily close
to themselves. Remaking the cult 1970s original as a morally
challenging, psychologically complex and politically
controversial science fiction series, the show combines
thriller, space opera, war film and docu-drama, while
meditating on the nature of humanity, governance, desire,
technology and religion. Conflicted characterisations,
ethical irresolvable scenarios, ambiguous storylines, an
often-uncomfortable resonance with contemporary
international events, and a filming style more cinιma
vιritι than Star Trek, combine in a text which demands
serious academic attention.

This one day event affords academics, fans and fan-academics
the opportunity to consider the social, political,
philosophical and artistic significance of Battlestar
Galactica Contributions are invited from researchers working
in a wide range of disciplines, including film and
television, fantasy, fandom, philosophy, psychoanalysis,
drama, documentary and media production.

Deadline for abstracts: 1 June 2007
Conference fee: £30 waged - £10 student/unwaged

Please contact Ewan Kirkland at bsg2007_at_bcuc.ac.uk with
enquiries and submissions.

Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College
High Wycombe Campus, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire
HP11 2JZ

Suggested Topics for Papers:
• Gender, Sexuality and Robots
• Reflections on ‘The War on Terror’
• Science Fiction Set Design
• Miniseries and Long-Format TV
• Queering Starbuck
• Biotechnology, Cyborgs and Posthumanism
• The Ethics of War
• Oppositional Readings and Their Commodification
• Individualism and Collectivism
• Verisimilitude, Naturalism and Discourses of Realism
• Contemporary Science Fiction Television and Telefantasy
• Masculinity and the Femme Fatale
• Religion and the State
• Narrative Arcs Across American Television Serials
• Technophobia/Technophilia
• Corporate Television and the Culture Industry
• Special Effects and CGI
• Subjectivity and Embodiment
• Performance and Intertextuality
• TV Remakes, Nostalgia, Reimagining
• Fanfic/art/vids/culture
• ‘Quality’ Television
• Identity in the Age of Electronic Reproduction
• American History, Culture, Politics
• Psychoanalysis, Fantasy and Desire
• Religion and Political Leadership
• Online Promotional Strategies
• Embodiment and Selfhood
• Contemporary Television Production and Reception

http://www.bcuc.ac.uk/faculties/creativity__culture/faculty_news__events/conferences.aspx

Deadline for abstracts: 1 June 2007

Please contact Ewan Kirkland at bsg2007_at_bcuc.ac.uk with
enquiries and submissions.

Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College
High Wycombe Campus, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire
HP11 2J

BSG 2007: The Politics, Poetics and Philosophy of Battlestar
Galactica
A One Day Symposium
28 July 2007

Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College
High Wycombe Campus
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP11 2JZ

Tel: 07792652288

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Received on Mon Mar 05 2007 - 14:01:51 EST