The Western Literature Association permanent section invites proposals for in-person presentations at the 2023 meeting of the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association taking place in Portland, Oregon, from October 26-29. The conference’s theme this year is “Shifting Perspectives.” You can submit your abstract at https://pamla.ballastacademic.com/Home/S/18925; all submissions must be proposed via the pamla.ballastacademic.com submission system (email submissions will not be accepted).

Abstract:

This session will explore, problematize, and/or redefine the West as a construct that emerges throughout various forms of representation with particular interest in topics that deal with the conference theme of "Shifting Perspectives," texts that might be considered “Borgesian” (those with “magical,” speculative, and/or intertextual elements), as well as explorations of the West as site of change, whether ideological, historical, philosophical, or cultural. 

Description:

The Oregon Trail may not have ended in Portland proper, but Oregon City, the terminal western point of the Oregon Trail, is just a brief thirty-minute drive from Portland. Perhaps Portland thus makes for an ideal location to discuss the cinema, drama, prose, and poetry of the American West. This panel welcomes proposals that explore, problematize, and/or redefine the West as a construct that emerges throughout various forms of representation with particular interest in topics that deal with the conference theme of "Shifting Perspectives," as well as proposals with a special interest in Portland/the West as a site of change, whether ideological, historical, philosophical, or cultural. Proposals considering Portland's regional languages and literatures, or proposals more generally addressing literature of the American West are welcome. 

This panel is the result of an exciting affiliation between PAMLA and the Western Literature Association (WLA). As per WLA and PAMLA policies, presenters on this panel must be members of both the WLA and PAMLA. If you are not a WLA member and your proposal is accepted, we will refer you to www.westernlit.org for details regarding membership.

For more details about the 2023 PAMLA conference to be held in Portland, Oregon, from October 26-29, 2023, visit the conference website at https://www.pamla.org/pamla2023/

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