[ecrea] CFP: Edited Volume on TV Series "Scandal"

Call for book chapters for an edited volume on ABC’s hit television 
series “Scandal”:



Gladiators in Suits:
Race, Gender, and the Politics of Representation in Scandal



Edited by: Kimberly R. Moffitt (University of Maryland Baltimore 
County), Simone Puff (University of Graz, Austria), and Ronald L. 
Jackson II (University of Cincinnati)



Not since the 1970s have viewing audiences seen an uncharacteristically 
powerful Black woman as a protagonist in a prime time slot on American 
network television. But for three seasons, viewers have learned a great 
deal about ABC’s political drama series “Scandal” and its Black female 
lead, Olivia Pope. She is a formidable presence as a public relations 
consultant, or “fixer” as known by some, who navigates the world “inside 
the beltway.” Together with her team of “gladiators in suits” she 
manages crises and makes problems of Washington’s (political) elite 
disappear, all while trying to hide her own scandal(ous) affairs from 
plain sight. The popularity and rating success of the program warrants 
critical exploration as the show’s diverse cast and complex storylines 
expose a myriad of issues pertaining to race, gender, sexuality, and the 
female audience that supports it.



A text on “Scandal” provides an opportunity to analyze the 
communication, politics, stereotypes, and genre/techniques featured in 
the television series, while also raising key questions about race, 
gender, sexuality, and viewing audiences. Additionally, this volume will 
contribute to the literature pertaining to Black womanhood, femininity, 
and representation as this series features a Black female protagonist in 
an overwhelmingly popular and strong role seen as unprecedented since 
the 1970s show, “Get Christie Love!” The collection offers original and 
timely perspectives on the study of what currently is one of America’s 
most popular prime time network television series.



Contributors should submit 500-word proposals, including a one-page 
bibliography of working sources and a 100-word author bio by September 
15, 2014 to (GladiatorsinSuitsvolume /at/ gmail.com). Accepted proposals will 
be notified no later than October 1, 2014 and completed drafts will be 
due January 31, 2015.



Completed essays will be approximately 20-25 pages in length. All 
chapters need to be formatted utilizing APA publications standards, and 
with 12-pt Times New Roman font.



Please feel free to contact any of the editors directly with your 
inquiries or concerns: Kimberly R. Moffitt ((kmoffitt /at/ umbc.edu)), Simone 
Puff ((simone.puff /at/ uni-graz.at)), or Ronald L. Jackson II 
((ron.jackson /at/ uc.edu)).



Suggested Range of Possible Chapter Topics

The editors welcome original and unpublished submissions focusing on 
(but not limited to):



    * Genre matters: “Scandal” as political drama vs. soap opera
    * The role of social media in the success of “Scandal” 
(#askscandal, etc.)
    * Narrative techniques and concepts of seriality
    * Representations of race, class, gender, sexuality, family, etc. 
within “Scandal”
    * Scripting Black femininity and Black masculinity
    * Contextualizing the significance of this television series in a 
media climate that has historically undervalued Black leads
    * The historical significance of Black characters in television 
programs with a political theme/storyline
    * Political economy of cultural meaning within reality television
    * The evolution of a Black female lead in a television series
    * Interracial relationships involving a Black woman
    * Representations of the strong Black woman myth/stereotype
    * Explorations of morality and the politics of respectability
    * “Scandal” in the context of a “post-racial” America
    * “Scandal” in a global context and international reception of the 
series
    * Audience reception studies of viewers and patterns of consumption
    * Deception studies
    * Olivia Pope as role model in fashion
    * The comparison of “Scandal” to other female lead television 
series (e.g. HawthoRNe) or to other current political dramas (e.g. 
“House of Cards” etc.)
    * Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope
    * Shonda Rhimes’ work in comparison to this television series









**********************************************

Dr. Simone Puff

Assistant Professor

Department of American Studies

University of Graz

Attemsgasse 25/II, A-8010 Graz, AUSTRIA



E-Mail: (simone.puff /at/ uni-graz.at)

Phone: +43 (0)316-380-2468

Web: http://amerikanistik.uni-graz.at/en/the-department/



Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail!



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