Call for Papers: Children's Literature Association: Performing Childhood

Deadline: 30 November 2004

On June 9-12, 2005, the Children's Literature Association will meet at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People in Winnipeg, Canada. Although all scholarly papers on texts for young people will be given careful consideration, we particularly invite proposals for papers and panels exploring the conference theme: Performing Childhood. We invite papers that explore the interrelationships of performance and children's literature, including such topics as

The ways in which theories of performativity like the one developed by Judith Butler might throw light on childhood and on texts for children. As well as explorations of the constructions of gender and sexuality in children's literature, we encourage considerations of what theories of performativity might suggest about the depictions and construction of childhood itself. Does children's literature teach its readers how to perform childhood?

Representations of performance(s) in children's literature, performers in children's literature, children as performers (actors, dancers, musicians, etc.), and children as audiences for performances.

Children's literature in performance. We're interested in the ways in which texts of children's literature have been performed in various media, such as theatre, film, TV, storytelling, and audiobooks. In addition, we invite papers focused on adults and children reading literature to one another.

The relations among children's culture, consumer culture, and performance.

The place of dramatic texts as literature for children.

In order to be considered for presentation, papers, detailed proposals for papers, and detailed proposals for panels should be directed by November 30, 2004, to

   Professor Perry Nodelman
   Chair, Paper Selection Committee
   Department of English
   University of Winnipeg
   515 Portage Avenue
   Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9
   Canada

   e-mail: perry_nodelman@shaw.ca

   FAX (204) 774-4134

Proposals for papers should be approximately two pages in length, should clearly indicate the primary texts being considered and the argument being developed or the questions being posed, and should demonstrate that the paper is suitable for presentation within twenty-five minutes. Proposals for panels should include a list of presenters, proposals for all of the papers to be presented and/or a detailed explanation of the format the panel will take. Once proposals have been accepted, conference participants will be expected to submit completed papers by May 1, 2005. At the time of presentation, all presenters must be members of the Children's Literature Association.

Each paper session will include a formal response from an established scholar. At the end of conference proceedings each day, respondents will participate in a panel discussion in which they consider connections and contradictions among conference papers. To apply to participate as a respondent, please contact either the the Paper Selection Chair, listing your areas of scholarly expertise.

This page last updated 5 September 2003.