University of Massachusetts, Amherst
October 27 - 28, 2017
The Northeast Popular/American Culture Association (NEPCA) is seeking paper proposals on comics and graphic novels for its fall conference to be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on October 27 – 28, 2017.
A wide range of topics will be considered; however, in an effort to best serve the medium and culture that make up comics, applicants are encouraged to deal with comics in a theoretical framework. Papers that demonstrate the role of comics in the broader cultural and critical discussion are preferred. Applicants should feel welcome to submit papers on the role of mainstream comics, independent comics, webcomics, strip comics, and underground comix.
NEPCA conferences welcome graduate students, junior faculty, independent researchers, and senior faculty as equals. NEPCA prides itself on offering intimate and nurturing sessions in which new ideas and works-in- progress can be aired, as well as completed projects. NEPCA is dedicated to expanding intellectual horizons, open engagement, and constructive criticism. Papers are generally 15-20 minutes in length. NEPCA discourages (but does not forbid) verbatim reading of papers and strongly encourages creative delivery of papers. This fall it will also feature shorter presentations in pecha kucha style in which presenters show a total of 20 slides–one every 20 seconds (total presentation time < 7 minutes). The idea behind pecha kucha is for scholars to present material quickly so that discussion and new ideas can ensue. It is an ideal form for research in progress!
The deadline for applications is June 1, 2017. The Program Chair for 2017 is Professor Marty Norden of the UMass Communications Department but, for tracking and logistical purposes, proposals must be submitted to an online Google Form that can be found on NEPCA’s Website: https://nepca.blog/2017-conference/. This page also includes a link to area chairs who can assist in any questions you have about your proposal.