CFP: Scholarly Approaches to Japanese Popular Culture (31 Mar; 28 Sept; Mesa Arizona)

Otaku and Academia: Scholarly Approaches to Japanese Popular Culture

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Center for Asian Research at Arizona State University is
pleased to announce the research symposium Otaku and Academia: Scholarly
Approaches to Japanese Popular Culture, to be held on Friday, September
28, 2007 in conjunction with Otaku University: An Anime Conference.
Both events will be held at the Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center
Street, Mesa, AZ. This multi-disciplinary symposium will extend the
critical discussion of Japanese popular culture in its national and
transnational aspects, bringing together an international group of
scholars interested in exploring questions related to the creation,
circulation, and consumption of manga, anime and related cultural
products. The goal of this symposium is to communicate new ideas about
Japanese popular culture to a broader audience than is usually available
to scholars.

Otaku University is a new approach to how anime-based events cater
to fans. Industry and academic experts will no longer just talk about
their latest project; instead, they will share their experiences and
knowledge to help those interested in the industry hone their skills to
become successful professionals.

We welcome both proposals for panels and individual papers on a
wide range of topics including art, history, literature, film, music,
education, religion, linguistics, economics, gender studies and material
culture. We prefer submission of full panels, including discussants,
but will create additional panels as appropriate.

Individual papers: Typewritten abstracts of 200 words or less and a
c.v. should be submitted to the below listed address, postmarked no
later than March 31, 2007. Email submissions will not be accepted.

Panel proposals: Submit a typewritten package including title of
the panel and a brief paragraph describing its goal, participant names
and short c.v., the titles of their papers and a paragraph-long abstract
for each presentation. Each panel may name a chair and a discussant, if
so desired. Panel proposals are due to the below listed address,
postmarked no later than March 15, 2007. Email submissions will not be
accepted.

Time limitations: Presentations will be 20 minutes each.

Costs: The registration fee for the symposium will be $25, $60
for symposium attendees who wish to participate in Otaku University
conference events. Symposium participants are encouraged to attend a
variety of the Conference events which will be held that weekend.
Additional information about the Conference can be obtained at http://www.otakuuconf.org/ .

Send abstracts to:
Dr. Deborah A. Deacon
ASU Center for Asian Research
PO Box 871702
Tempe, AZ 85287-1702

For additional information about the symposium, contact Deb Deacon at
(480)965-0118 or via email at Deborah.Deacon@asu.edu.