Call for speakers

Re/Framing Identifications
The Loews Philadelphia Hotel
1200 Market Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 25-28, 2012

Given our Philadelphia conference site, the theme “Re/framing Identifications” obviously invites a consideration of the framers and the framing of the U.S. Constitution in the late 18th century—that is, a consideration of the convergence of people and events that reframed colonies’ identifications with each other, with European, African and Asian nations as well as with North, Central and South American nations, including Native nations. But the theme “Re/framing Identifications” also invites a broader consideration of myriad historical and current instances when people, communities, and systems have elected and/or been forced to reframe their identifications. Kenneth Burke famously asserted the importance of identification to persuasion, but this conference pushes on Burke’s claim to ask: What may we learn about rhetoric if we focus on identification not just as a means to persuasion but as a place of perpetual reframing that affects who, how, and what can be thought, spoken, written, and imagined?

The theme “Re/framing Identifications” invites papers that ask: What exigencies trigger reframed identifications and disidentifications? What rhetorical tactics are employed in such reframings? How are such reframings experienced differently, even violently, depending on power differentials of parties involved? In these reframings, what is named and unnamed? What is possible and impossible? What is ethical and unethical? What is effective and ineffective? What are benefits and what are costs? What is gained and what is lost? What can and what cannot transfer to the rhetorics of our world today?

This theme offers conference attendees—who identify as scholars, teachers, students, and citizens across a wide range of ideologies—an opportunity not only to extend our scholarly knowledge of rhetorical histories, theories, tactics, technologies, geographies, and practices but also to extend our roles as public intellectuals by discussing how to name, analyze, evaluate, teach, and take action rhetorically on challenges facing our world, challenges that include but are not limited to debates about national/ transnational politics, global economies, immigration, the environment, energy, digital/social media and other technologies, disabilities, international women’s rights, sexual identity, ethnic divisions, racism, religion, academic freedom, and war.

Proposals for panels, individual presentations, and special sessions are due by September 16, 2011 and must be submitted electronically as a Word document. Instructions for submitting proposals are indicated below. You may also go to http://www.rhetoricsociety.org/ and click on the “Conferences & Institutes” link for directions. There you will also find information (and regular updates) on housing, special features, and other aspects of RSA 2012.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

SUBMISSION

Follow this link to register online for your RSA 2012 abstract submission: https://rhetoric.conference-serv...

Click on the link “Click here for abstract submission”
Create a user name (use your email address) and password. This will be your permanent login information.
Log on in with your email address and password
Begin the process of submitting your conference proposal(s) by following the on-screen prompts, which will ask you to fill in appropriate information and upload your proposal as a Word document.
WORD LENGTH

Panel proposals - should be no longer than 1250 words.
Individual proposals - should be no longer than 350 words.
Special Session Format proposals - should be no longer than 350 words

CONFIRMATION

Shortly after you complete the proposal submission, you will receive a confirmation email with the details that you submitted.

EDITING PROPOSALS

You will be able to edit proposals through your account up until the deadline for submission. To withdraw a proposal, please contact Kris Ratcliffe (krista.ratcliffe@marquette.edu) or Kim Newman (kimberly.newman@marquette.edu).

DEADLINE

Please submit your proposals no later than Friday, September 16, 2011.

Questions? Please contact Kris Ratcliffe (krista.ratcliffe@marquette.edu) or Kim Newman (kimberly.newman@mu.edu)