[Discussion] CFP: Television Nation: Cultural Complexities of Popular Narrative (11/1/05; 4/21/06-4/23/06)

[gpultar@cstgroup.org]

From: "Hoche, Dominique" <Dominique.Hoche@northern.edu>

PANEL PROPOSAL for THE NINTH ANNUAL RED RIVER CONFERENCE ON WORLD LITERATURE

CALL FOR PAPERS

APRIL 21, 22, 23 2006

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA

Television Nation: Cultural complexities of popular narrative

We've all had that moment when we are watching popular television or a
mainstream movie, and we see (or imagine that we see) those subtle references to
our own particular field of interest in literature. For example, a 'Babylon 5'
fan will see in the show references to Tolkein's 'Lord of the Rings'; a
Shakespearian will see Hamlet's tragedy when viewing 'Firefly' or the 'Tempest'
while watching 'Lost'; others will see Dickens or Joyce in the 'Harry Potter'
films, or the 'Iliad" while watching 'Battlestar Galactica'.

We invite papers that explore this cross-connection between narrative and
culture. We are most interested in papers that explore the 'cultural
complexities' of popular culture and canonical literature.  How does the 'canon
versus popular' argument reflect on academic marginalization or privilege? If
popular culture reflects a common voice, does that marginalize the academic or
literary voice? If a show or movie earns the sub-cultural label of 'cult
fiction,' then how does that reflect on the language borderlands within the
larger popular culture or academic canon? Which has more cultural (or classroom)
power, the literary text, or the reworked or re-envisioned television show or
movie? Does this discussion reflect on any view of nation as narrative?  Are
scholars who enjoy or teach from popular culture self-made exiles within the
academy?

Please submit a 250-word abstract via e-mail to Dominique.Hoche@northern.edu on
or before NOVEMBER 1, 2005, and include your name, complete mailing address,
institutional affiliation, and e-mail address.  Please note: final papers should
not exceed a reading time of 20 minutes.

Additional information on the conference may be found at:

http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/rrcwl/

Dr. Dominique Hoche
Northern State University
Dominique.Hoche@northern.edu



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