Monstrosity and Deviance
SAGES Second Annual Interdisciplinary Student Conference
The University of Akron
Student Union
March 13, 2014

The Society of Akron Graduate English Scholars is pleased to announce a call for papers for its upcoming interdisciplinary conference on March 13, 2014. This year, we are excited to welcome speakers, creative writers, and scholars from various disciplines to discuss the theme, "Monstrosity and Deviance." This conference is open to both undergraduate and graduate students and will be hosted by SAGES in the University of Akron Student Union.

What is a monster? Everyone has his or her own monstrosities to overcome, and his or her own forms of deviance to encounter. What are "norms" in society? Ethical and moral issues are thrown our way every day; how do we handle them? "Deviance" is our way of breaking those so-called norms in society. Perhaps those challenges are monstrous; perhaps those monsters are found in disease or mental disorders.

When do we encounter "deviance" in education? What "monstrous" feats do we try to accomplish with our studies? This year, our conference seeks to explore these issues and spark creative discussion. It is our hope that we can present panels that cross disciplines to gain a broader and greater understanding of the "Monstrosity and Deviance" in our society and our studies today.

Possible panel topics include but are not limited to:
• Psychological Approaches
• Monsters in Popular Culture
• Deviance throughout History
• Adaptation/Assimilation
• Degrees of Villainy
• Othering
• Literary Characters or Tropes
• Revenge, Forgiveness, and Punishment
• Grotesque and Mutations
• Disability Studies
• Representations of Deviance

Academic Submissions
We seek submissions from across all disciplines. Submit individual abstracts (no more than 400 words) directly to SAGES by January 27, 2014 via email (sagessubmission@gmail.com). Those abstracts that are selected will be organized into specific panels to be presented at the conference on March 13, 2014.

Creative Writing and Visual Media Presentation Submissions All creative writing manuscripts need to be submitted in their entirety. Presentation proposals (no more than 400 words) and creative writing manuscripts are to be submitted directly to SAGES via email (sagessubmission@gmail.com) by January 27th, 2014.