cfp.english.upenn.edu

EXTENDED DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1. The twentieth annual MCLLM conference
welcomes submissions for our March 30 and 31 event in DeKalb, IL. Our
theme is Evolution: How Does the Old Create the New? It is inspired by
the work of Cary Nelson, our keynote speaker.

We are particularly interested in papers that examine the evolutionary
aspects of literature, language, media, or culture. As always, MCLLM
will also accept papers on any aspect of literature, language, media, or
culture from scholars at all stages in their careers.

Individual proposals and panel proposals of three to four people are
welcome. We have extended our original deadline. Please submit your
one-page proposal to mcllm@niu.edu by February 1, 2012, including your
name, institutional affiliation, email, and phone number. Panels
proposals should include a brief overview of the panel’s theme and
purpose along with a paragraph abstract for each paper.

Cary Nelson, Jubilee Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and American Association of
University Professors President, 2006-Present, will present his keynote
address on Friday, March 30 at 7:00 pm. Dr. Nelson will also participate
in a professionalization panel with faculty from NIU on Saturday, March
31. Dr. Nelson’s areas of expertise include modern American poetry,
cultural and literary criticism, and the state of the humanities and
academic freedom.

In addition to academic papers, MCLLM seeks original poetry submissions
not to exceed 5-7 minutes. We are currently planning an original poetry
reading followed by an informal discussion to be held on Saturday, March
31.

Online registration is available at www.engl.niu.edu/mcllm. E-mail
proposals to mcllm@niu.edu.