Call for Papers: Gender Studies & Queer Theory

CFP Opens: October 1, 2009
CFP Closes: October 16, 2009
Colloquium Date: October 30, 2009, 4:00-6:00 pm, location TBD

From the popularity of Lady Gaga and our fascination with Michael Jackson to the passing of California's Proposition 8 and the Miss America controversy last year, gender politics and sexuality have proven to be truly timely topics. As American identity becomes increasingly global and pluralistic, so too do categories of gender, sex, and sexual preference; we recognize this plurality in various forms of popular culture and media, including films like Milk and Brokeback Mountain, as well as daily talk shows on sex-change operations. Whether through political debates about the sanctity of marriage, the creation of transsexual student groups on campus, and/or the popularity of Queer Studies, identity politics continue to fascinate us all. As scholars, teachers, thinkers, etc., how can we position ourselves in relation to these timely topics? How do sexual politics influence our world, from daily interactions to college classroom discussions? To what extend does gender seem socially crafted, culturally contracted, and/or a performance?
This interdisciplinary panel, entitled "Gender Studies & Queer Theory", explores the scientific, psychological, philosophical, literary, historical, and economic aspects of gay culture, sexual identity, and gender distinctions (or lack thereof).
We welcome scholarly papers, presentations, talks, etc. that explore ideas about gender, sexuality, sexual preference, and/or any other aspect of identity politics that you find helpful to this discussion.

PLEASE SUBMIT ABSTRACTS OF NO MORE THAN 300 WORDS TO intergradcolloquium@gmail.com BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009.