Call for Papers
Popular Culture and the Classroom
Deadline for Submissions: November 15, 2004

Panels now forming on the topics related to the effective use of teaching popular culture in the high school and college classrooms.

How can high school teachers and college professors use popular culture effectively in the classroom? As educators, we often realize that Homer Simpson, Britney Spears, American Idol, The O.C., and the latest hit movies often influence our students tremendously, that MTV News is more watched than any of the national nightly news anchors, and that our students are keenly aware of the latest advertising and marketing trends. More and more teachers, especially those teaching English, Social Studies, or Journalism, are beginning to realize that an effective way for teenagers to critique society is by having them study popular culture and the media. There are some great teachable moments when we have our students analyze the media and popular culture and use these for powerful instructional units or lessons in our classroom. Papers are needed that address some of the following questions:

• What messages from popular culture and the media are being sent to our students?
• What lessons can we learn from this? How do you use popular culture to help critique or discuss current events, cultural stereotypes, or important issues facing teens and/or society today?
• How do “stars” influence students—in positive or negative ways—to become involve in social or political activities?
• How do you use popular culture in your curriculum to help students make valuable connections?
• How do you teach students to analyze or think about popular culture?
• What do we learn as educators?
• What do the students learn?
• How can students better critique the world, themselves, advertisers, or “teen culture?”

Scholars, teachers, professionals, and others interested in this topic are encouraged to participate. Graduate students are also particularly welcome with award opportunities for best graduate papers. If any of these issues interest you, please accept this invitation to submit a proposal for the category "Teaching: Popular Culture and the Classroom" for this conference. If you have any questions about the conference or your proposal, please e-mail me and I'd be happy to try to answer your questions. If you send your proposal through email, please attach it as a Microsoft word document.

Please send abstracts (300-500 words) or entire paper to Erik Walker at the address given below.

Special rates for lodging (Hyatt Regency Albuquerque Hotel) and car rental (Avis.) See the web site for more information (address given below).