In my travels to professional conferences around the Mid-Atlantic over the past year, one characteristic has been striking: We have many regional associations, but not very much attention to the region. To everyone’s credit, our regional conferences have become opportunities for sharing an abundance of research and best practices. Participants come not only from the Mid-Atlantic but also from across the country, especially in the case of young scholars seeking to build their credentials.
But what about the Mid-Atlantic? As a regional humanities center, MARCH seeks to promote understanding of the region. And so, we would like to invite proposals that deal specifically with the Mid-Atlantic for the next conference of the Mid-Atlantic Popular/American Culture Association, which will be held in Philadelphia from November 3 to November 5, 2011.
Is there a definable culture of the Mid-Atlantic? To address this question, we are seeking panelists whose work transcends local or state boundaries to explore regional characteristics. Is the culture of the Mid-Atlantic made distinctive by migrations or immigrant heritage? By the rise and fall of industry? By regional art, music, media, or literature? By the region’s position in the Atlantic World? To become part of this conversation, submit a 150-word abstract and a brief CV to: Charlene Mires, cmires@camden.rutgers.edu . Panels of three or four presenters, single papers, roundtables or alternative formats are welcome. Humanities professionals working in public settings, as well as scholars, are encouraged to submit proposals. The deadline for proposals is June 15, 2011.
This conference offers many other opportunities to participate. For the full Call for Papers, visit the conference web site at http://www.mapaca.net/confer/conferHome.html. The conference especially encourages proposals that deal with the popular culture of Philadelphia.