cfp.english.upenn.edu

African American Literature Regular Session: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of DuBois’ Death and the 110th Anniversary of The Souls of Black Folk

SAMLA November 8-10, 2012
Marriott Atlanta Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center
Atlanta, Georgia

2013 is the 50th anniversary of W.E.B. DuBois' death and the 110th anniversary of the publication of The Souls of Black Folk. To commemorate these anniversaries, the African American Literature regular session at SAMLA seeks papers exploring DuBois' legacy and influence(s) within the African American literary tradition (including, perhaps, papers interrogating that very term through a DuBoisian lens). Topics might include, but are certainly not limited to, engagements with the following intentionally broad questions:

- How have African American literary texts written since The Souls of Black Folks qualified, challenged, or otherwise engaged with DuBois’ ideas?
-What are the stakes and implications of labeling a text "African American literature" (or not doing so), and how can DuBoisian theory inform these considerations?
- In keeping with this year's conference theme (“Cultures, Contexts, Images, and Texts: Making Meaning in Print, Digital, and Networked Worlds”), how might DuBois' ideas speak to the challenges and opportunities of studying and teaching African American literature in an increasingly digital and networked academe?

Please send an abstract of no more than 500 words, accompanied by a brief professional biography, to Sara Taylor Boissonneau via email attachment (srtaylo4@uncg.edu) by May 15, 2013.