Accio UK 2005 -
Call for papers released Summary:
Accio UK, the first Harry Potter conference to be held in the UK has just released its Call for Papers.
Article:
Accio UK is pleased to announce the release of the
Call for Papers (CFP) for the first Harry Potter
conference to be held in the UK between 29th-31st July 2005
at the University of Reading. The text of the CFP
follows this introduction, and may also be found at
this link:
http://www.accio.org.uk/call4papers.shtml and in the files.
We welcome submissions by both members of the academic/professional
community, and also adult fandom participants.
Please note that the topic areas noted in the CFP
are only suggestions - we are open to proposals on
any aspect of the Harry Potter fandom.
Proposals may take the form of a 500 word abstract
or a completed conference paper (no more than 4,000
words). Please note that submissions must be
sent electronically by 31st December 2004.
Please contact us at submissions @ Accio.org.uk if
you wish to make alternative arrangements.
Please read the CFP carefully to note all of the
particulars. We are looking forward to receiving
your submissions!
Ali Hewison
For Accio UK
(Please note that any media enquiries should be forwarded
to press @ accio.org.uk)
************************************************** *******************
Accio 2005
University of Reading, UK
July 29-31, 2005
Call for Papers
Accio UK is aimed at both academics and adult fans
of the Harry Potter series. The Programming
Committee is therefore inviting proposals from both
sectors for presentations, moderated panels, debates
and workshops on any topic relating to the Harry
Potter phenomenon.
Suggested Topics for Presentations, Panels and
Workshops
Topics may include, but are certainly not limited
to:
- Characterisation Archetypal yet unconventional
or merely one-dimensional stereotypes? The scope
here is enormous, and papers are welcomed on
individual/group character studies or thematic
overviews.
- Religious Studies: Religious and spiritual
responses and interpretations of the series.
- Social Issues, including
Gender Studies: the role of women in the Harry
Potter Series.
- Race Relations in HP: Real and analogous
Class portrayal: A pretence of meritocracy?
- Legal Issues: The Legal System, Government and
Justice in the Wizarding World.
- Comparative Studies: Areas of interest within
this area include:
Religion. How various religious groups use the
series and how this compares with treatment of other
fantasy series by authors such as CS Lewis, Tolkien,
Philip Pullman.
The phenomenon and appeal of Cross-Over
literature (e.g., Philip Pullman’s His Dark
Materials trilogy), and the serious life issues this
recently classified genre frequently explores.
- Mythopoeia, Etymology and other sources of
inspiration: How appreciation of JK Rowling’s use
of “what has gone before” is important to our
understanding of the series.
- Education: The inclusion of the Harry Potter
series in curricula (from primary education through
to graduate studies) and dealing with the issues
involved. For example, for those educating
pre-teens, the treatment of death in the series.
An Educator’s perspective on teaching in the
Wizarding World.
- The Heroic Quest: What makes a Hero? Could
include discussion of predestination and the idea of
the ”Chosen One” and the much stressed concept of individual choice.
- Alchemy and Symbolism: The search for the
Philosopher’s Stone, Hidden Meanings within the
text, and other Gnostic Elements.
- Concepts of Power: The Battle between Good and
Evil and the controversial depiction of “grey”
areas.
- Fandom Concerns: May include:
Battles with Interpretation, including character
portrayal and their potential relationships in the
series (and beyond):
Fanfiction and Intellectual Property issues.
Reinventing the Series: The relationship between a continuing series
and the fanfiction community Reclaiming the Canon: JK Rowling’s
relationship with the online fandom community
Time Blocks
Two concurrent tracks will run over two days of
programming. Time blocks in multiples of 30 minutes
will be available: proposals should therefore
specify the estimated amount of time required for
the presentation, and should also indicate how much
time allowance should be made for post-talk
discussion/ Q&A sessions.
Submissions
Deadline: 31st December 2004
Proposals should be either an abstract (500 word
max) or a completed conference paper (4,000 word max). We are
accepting e-mail submissions only, and any
attachments should be in Microsoft Word.
Please send to the following address, including
“Accio 2005 Proposal Submission” in the subject
line. Submissions @ accio.org.uk.
Selected Presenters will be notified by week ending
31st January, 2005, and will be expected to register
for the conference when confirming that they will be
present. Presenters are expected to submit a
conference paper for publication in the Proceedings
by 21st June 2005. This paper should be no
greater than 4,000 words. Please note that
publication in the Proceedings will be dependent
upon attendance.
Attendees
All presenters and participants must be at least 18
years of age, as Accio is an adults-only event.
Disclaimers
Accio UK is an unofficial event and is not endorsed
by JK Rowling or her representatives, Warner Bros.,
or the Harry Potter book publishers.
