Call for Papers: American History and Culture area

Southwest/Texas Popular Culture & American Culture Associations 30th Anniversary Conference, February 25-28, 2009, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The annual SW/TX PCA/ACA Conference is one of the nation's largest gatherings of interdisciplinary scholars. In honor of its 30th anniversary, the upcoming conference will feature the theme, "Reeling in the Years: 30 Years of Film, TV, and Popular Culture."

The 2009 conference will take place February 25-28 at the Hyatt Regency in vibrant downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, just steps from historic Route 66. Further conference details are available at http://www.swtxpca.org .

Panels are now forming for all of the conference's numerous subject areas, including the American History and Culture area. Below are some suggestions for presentation / panel topics related to the area of American History and Culture. Topics not mentioned here are also welcome for consideration. Proposals do not have to relate to the overarching "30 Years" conference theme. However, all proposals for the American History and Culture area should have a historical focus and should emphasize culture.

* American cultural history in general
* Specific eras / periods in American history
* Public history, collective memory, nostalgia, memorials / monuments
* Historic preservation and historical sites
* Consumer culture and advertising
* Leisure, public amusements, travel, and tourism
* Car culture, the American road / roadside America, and Route 66
* Urban studies, architecture, city planning, cultural geography, cultural landscapes
* Local image / identity creation, boosterism, and the marketing of place
* Stardom and celebrity culture
* Radio
* Sports
* Youth culture/subcultures, children's culture, senior culture, etc.
* Visual culture, art, and design

Email queries and proposals for individual presentations or full panels to American History and Culture Area Chair Kelli Shapiro (Department of American Civilization, Brown University) at Kelli_Shapiro@brown.edu. Include a 200-word abstract with a working title, as well as contact information and a CV or bio, for each potential presenter. Mention the conference or the American History and Culture area in the email's subject line.

Professors, independent scholars, teachers, and professionals are encouraged to participate. Graduate students are particularly welcome at the conference, which offers awards for the best graduate papers. Please note that the SW/TX PCA/ACA generally does not accept papers previously presented elsewhere. Further, it permits only one presentation per person. The conference features numerous individual subject areas - each with its own Area Chair, and each typically including multiple conference panels. Therefore, please consult the area list at
http://www.swtxpca.org/documents/area_chairs.html to determine whether the American History and Culture area is the appropriate area to receive your proposal.

The priority submission deadline for the SW/TX PCA/ACA is November 15, 2008. The final deadline is December 1; however, area chairs will only accept proposals submitted between November 15 and December 1 if room still exists in appropriate panels. Additionally, presenters submitting proposals after November 15 will not be eligible for the Early Bird reduced registration rate.

Kelli Shapiro
Area Chair, American History and Culture
SW/TX PCA/ACA
http://www.swtxpca.org
Kelli_Shapiro@brown.edu