[Comicsstudiessociety] CFP: GSA Seminar "Comics- A Transgressive Art" (Indianapolis, IN, Sept. 30 - Oct. 3, 2021)

[Biz Nijdam]

Dear colleagues,

We invite abstract proposals for the *GSA Seminar “Comics - A Transgressive
 Art: Theoretical Foundations and Intersections,” *which will take place at
the 45th Annual *German Studies Association Conference in Indianapolis,
Indiana, from September 30th to October 3rd, 2021*. T*he deadline for
submission is January 25, 2021.*

Sincerely,
The GSA Comics Studies Network Organizers



--------------------




*German Studies Association Annual Conference *September 30th to October 3rd,
2021, Indianapolis, Indiana



Call for Abstracts: GSA Seminar

*Comics - A Transgressive Art: Theoretical Foundations and Intersections*

(Sponsored by the GSA Comics Studies Network)



*Seminar Description *

This seminar builds on the work of the recently established Comics Studies
Network of the German Studies Association. Past panels and roundtables on
various historical and thematic aspects of comics provide evidence for the
medium’s critical intervention in discussions of individual identity and
issues of social justice. Recognizing the transgressive potential of comics
to enable synergies between research and teaching and to invite dialogue
among creators, consumers, and critics, we also see the demand for a more
robust theoretical discussion of the affordances of comics. The seminar
will thus examine foundational works of Comics Studies in order to
establish a systematic theoretical framework within which to situate
specific investigations. To explore the interdisciplinary possibilities of
comics scholarship, we are interested in attracting scholars from a variety
of disciplines and positions, including graduate students, who employ
diverse approaches to questions of form, function, production, and
reception with regard to German-language comics.



The Comics Studies Network has made great strides toward highlighting the
role of comics and graphic novels within German Studies. This seminar will
build on and intensify the discussions that have developed over the past
years. While we have seen exciting case studies of German-language comics
and graphic novels, we have yet to situate these specific investigations
within a systematic theoretical framework. We are particularly keen to
develop the interdisciplinary possibilities of bringing German Studies and
Comics Studies into dialogue. By exploring intersectionality in comics from
a variety of theoretical angles, this seminar will also make a contribution
to the recent and urgent discussions around diversifying German Studies. We
hope to attract both current network members and new participants at all
career stages, including graduate students. In addition to solidifying the
theoretical foundation for the future activities of the GSA Comics Studies
Network, the seminar also aims to deepen ties to related research
initiatives in the US and abroad, including the Graphic Narratives Network
at Michigan State University, the Gesellschaft für Comicforschung (ComFor)
in Germany, the Austrian Association for the Research and Promotion of
Comics (OeGeC) and the Comics Studies Society (CSS). We are considering
publishing an edited selection of the seminar’s outcome in *Konturen. *



*Seminar Format *

The seminar sessions will discuss theoretical and methodological readings,
starting from pre-circulated position papers (ca. 1,000 words each) from
all participants. In April 2021, a list of core readings will be circulated
for participants to read and engage with in their position papers. In
August, participants will submit their position papers to the conveners for
distribution to the entire seminar.



*Application Procedure *

Please submit a brief statement of interest and description of your
research as it relates to the seminar topic (250-500 words) as well as a
brief CV/bio-bib (500-100 words) electronically through the GSA website:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.xcdsystem.com/gsa__;!!KGKeukY!jUMAshbVPBWvbJc7LtsSAFRwmY7EiR4xUt_zIdRPa41Bpx28rWRCP-bREF-NHS09BLQC-9C90S27$  The GSA seminar application portal is open
from January 4th, 2021 to January 25th, 2021. You must be an active GSA
member in order to apply.



Please contact the *seminar conveners *with any questions:

- Lynn L. Wolff, lwolff at msu.edu, Michigan State University

- Brett Sterling, bsterli at uark.edu, University of Arkansas

- John D. Benjamin, john.benjamin at westpoint.edu, United States Military
Academy

-- 
*Dr. Elizabeth "Biz" Nijdam*  PhD (She, Her, Hers
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/gender-diversity/pronouns/__;!!KGKeukY!jUMAshbVPBWvbJc7LtsSAFRwmY7EiR4xUt_zIdRPa41Bpx28rWRCP-bREF-NHS09BLQC-1lhnUVX$ >)
Assistant Professor of German Studies
Dept. of Central, Eastern, & Northern European Studies
The University of British Columbia | Vancouver Campus | Musqueam
Traditional Territory
919-1873 East Mall | Vancouver BC | V6T 1Z1 Canada | Phone 778 697 6294
biz.nijdam at ubc.ca | *elizabeth.nijdam at gmail.com
<elizabeth.nijdam at gmail.com>* | @bizabeth <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/@bizabeth__;!!KGKeukY!jUMAshbVPBWvbJc7LtsSAFRwmY7EiR4xUt_zIdRPa41Bpx28rWRCP-bREF-NHS09BLQC-8LrCJv1$ >
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