CALL FOR CONFERENCE PAPERS, PANELS, and PRESENTATIONS

Newsweek’s June 2011 cover story was entitled “THE MORMON MOMENT.” Recent media focus on Mormons has been intense. But there also have been many Mormon moments in the past. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints, and its members and beliefs, have been spotlighted in the media throughout the Church’s history. Mormons also are and have been actively engaged in the production of and appearance in media, and the use of media content and technologies. While circumstances and technologies have changed over time, the media always have been central to the Mormon experience, and to the interface of Mormonism with societies, institutions, and individuals. The Mormon Media Studies Symposium 2012 will focus on the interdisciplinary academic study of all aspects of Mormons and the media, in the present as well as the past. (The term “media” is used broadly to encompass print and electronic media, books, film, etc. Papers dealing with closely related disciplines such as entertainment, theater, and music also will be considered.)

Submission of Paper and Panel Proposals

Academics, practitioners, and students are invited to submit competitive papers or panel proposals about any aspect of Mormons and the media. Papers and panels may be broadly interdisciplinary; international perspectives are encouraged; all rigorous scholarly methodological frameworks and theories are welcome. Submissions (which will be peer–reviewed) should be either full papers (preferred) (approx. 6,000–8,000 words, with 100 word abstract); or extended abstracts (approx. 500 words). Panel proposals must include the following for all panel participants: name, title, expertise on the topic, and short abstract re planned remarks. For all submissions, include in cover letter title, author’s (or panel organizer’s) full name & title, and full contact information. Identifying information should appear only on the cover page. Proposals to make audio and/or visual presentations (incl. short films) are welcome (must include rigorous analysis). Papers recently presented or published elsewhere may be considered (provide details.)

Examples of topics falling under the theme of the conference include but are not limited to: