CFP: Reinventing the Nation: The Great American Makeover (open deadline;
collection)

For a collection on the American "makeover" mythos, I seek essays that
historicize U.S. fantasies, practices, and industries of self reinvention,
from the 18th century to the current moment, including reality shows such
as "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
How do makeover narratives of physical and social transformation connect to
myths of American immigration, evangelicalism, and expansionism? All
disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives invited. Work that
addresses the gendered, racialized, sexualized, and class-based notions of
self-realization that mirror national myths are especially welcome.
Examples would include magazines such as Ladies Home Journal, early
television shows such as Queen for a Day, lifestyle gurus such as Jane
Fonda and Martha Stewart, “Charles Atlas” (born Angelo Siciliano, an
Italian immigrant) and the men’s body-building culture he helped spawn,
African-American lifestyle magazines such as Ebony. Send 1-2 pg. proposals,
completed essays, abbreviated c.v., and queries to Dana Heller,
dheller_at_odu.edu, BAL 432, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, 23507.

Dana Heller
Director, Humanities Institute & Graduate Program /
Professor of English
Old Dominion University, BAL 432
Norfolk, VA 23529
757-683-3719 (phone)
757-683-6191 (fax)
dheller_at_odu.edu (e-mail)

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Received on Sun Feb 27 2005 - 11:58:39 EST