19th-century Britain witnessed the convergence of many historical trends that exacerbated disability stigma, even as the era embraced a rehabilitative ethos. The growth of specialized medicine, the expansion of a sprawling asylum system, institutional categorization of the poor, public health initiatives, and the rise of eugenics: all these and more spawned attitudes and practices that worked to disable those who were physically and mentally impaired.

This interdisciplinary panel invites submissions for papers that examine the subversive aspects of the Southern Gothic genre in literature, film, television, or music. Creative new readings of traditional Southern Gothic texts from O'Connor, Faulkner, Williams, etc. are welcome. Also encouraged are explorations of contemporary texts such as the HBO series True Detective, fiction from Toni Morrison and Dona Tartt, or music from The Handsome Family and Iron and Wine.

Please submit a 250-word abstract, brief biographical statement (including academic affiliation and contact information), and A/V requirements to Mary McCampbell at mmccampbell@leeuniversity.edu by July 29, 2020.