CFP Potterwatch 2011 Conference (8/15/11)

http://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/node/42065

[UPDATE] Potterwatch 2011: Accepting proposals until August 15
full name / name of organization:
Potterwatch and
contact email:
unccpotterconference@gmail.com
Harry Potter and Crossover Audiences
the 2011 PotterWatch Conference
at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
October 1, 2011
Charlotte, NC

The Harry Potter series has been translated into more than 60 languages, inspired a multi-million dollar theme park, and prompted the creation of an “International Quidditch Association” comprised of hundreds of teams. What began as a British children’s book became an international best-selling series. Much of the success of the novels can be attributed to crossover appeal—how Harry is loved by audiences of a variety of ages, genders, and religions. How do the books speak to so many different, sometimes opposing, audiences? Why do we love Harry so much?

Together, PotterWatch, the official Harry Potter club of UNC Charlotte, and the Children's Graduate Literature Organization of UNC Charlotte will be hosting an academic conference focusing on the theme of audiences within the Harry Potter series and fandom. We invite submissions of paper and panel proposals that address the theme of audience and crossover appeal in relation to the Harry Potter series, looking at reader response from a variety of academic perspectives.

Suggested topics include:
• Harry Potter from an international perspective
• Religious responses to the series
• Generational appeal (the “crossover” novel)
• group response to Harry Potter (fan clubs, Quidditch, book/movie premieres, etc.)
• is Harry Potter a “boy’s book?”

To be considered for presentation, please submit a 500-word abstract for individual papers or panel proposals to unccpotterconference@gmail.com by August 15, 2011. Please include the paper title, your name (and names of all panel presenters if applicable), your institution, and your affiliation (faculty, student, other). Individual presentations should be 10-15 minutes in length, while panel presentations should last for 45 minutes. Graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to submit proposals.