[ecrea] CFP: Cultural Studies and the Popular (Deadline Extension)

Cultural Studies and the Popular
American University of Paris,
1-2 July 2011
ABSTRACTS DUE MAY 12, 2011

Throughout its history, Cultural Studies has maintained an uneasy 
relationship with the concept of the 'popular.' Seen by many as an 
intellectual-political project defined by its engagement with popular 
culture, cultural studies has just as frequently sought to differentiate 
itself from those who celebrate the power of contemporary media and 
culture. Thirty years after the publication of Stuart Hall's seminal 
essay 'Notes on Deconstructing the Popular', we are seeking participants 
interested in examining the importance of the popular for Cultural 
Studies today. While recent years have witnessed the return of populist 
political and cultural movements, does the concept of the popular still 
serve as a tool for understanding contemporary social struggles? Is the 
concept still a useful tool for understanding and engaging with the 
intersection between scholarly research and politics or has its 
usefulness been eclipsed by other terms that more adequately address a 
new conjuncture?

Topics of interest may include but are not limited to the following:

* Analytical, critical, and political usefulness of "the popular" concept
* The popular and digital collaboration
* The popular and contemporary conservative or progressive social movements
* Social media and "popular democratic cultural force[s]"
*The popular and consent
*Empirical examples of articulations between popular culture and popular 
democratic actions
*People-power as Regime Change
*Networked Populism
*Theoretical advances on the popular

This conference will take place on July 1 and 2, 2011 at the American 
University
of Paris in Paris, France. Those interested in participating are asked 
to submit
their name, a short bio and a 400 word abstract for their proposed 
presentation.
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTED PROPOSALS BY MAY 15.

We are also open to alternative forms of presentation, including 
roundtables or pre-constituted panels. Please send abstracts to the 
following adress: (aupconf /at/ yahoo.com)

Conference organizers: Mark Hayward and Jayson Harsin