International Comic Arts Fest 2003 (2/28/03; 10/30/03-11/1/03)

The Eighth Annual
INTERNATIONAL COMIC ARTS FESTIVAL (ICAF)

Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Thursday - Saturday, October 30 - November 1, 2003

The International Comic Arts Festival invites scholarly paper presentations for its eighth annual meeting, to be held at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. from Thursday, October 30, through Saturday, November 1, 2003.

We welcome proposals from a variety of disciplines and theoretical perspectives. All proposals should address the history, aesthetics, cultural significance or critical reception of comic art (including comic books, albums, graphic novels, comic strips, panel cartoons, caricature, or comics in electronic media). Proposals will be refereed via blind review.

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

For its scholarly presentations, ICAF prefers argumentative, thesis-driven papers, clearly linked to larger critical, artistic or cultural issues. We strive to avoid presentations that are merely summative or survey-like in character. Where possible, papers should be illustrated by relevant images (e.g., slides, transparencies). In all cases, presentations should be timed to finish within the strict limit of TWENTY (20) MINUTES.

Proposals should not exceed 300 WORDS.

At the bottom of the proposal, the author should precisely state her/his audiovisual equipment needs. Proposals requiring computers or data projection equipment should include exact system specifications. (Presenters relying on computers are urged to bring their own equipment for backup. Though ICAF strives to meet all equipment needs, we cannot guarantee the availability or compatibility of computer equipment.)

BLIND REVIEW: All proposals will be subject to blind review by the ICAF Executive Committee, with preference given to proposals that observe the above standards. The final number of papers accepted will depend on the overall needs of the conference program as it develops (in the past ICAF has typically accepted about half of the proposals it has received).

SEND ABSTRACTS BY FEBRUARY 28, 2003, TO:

Prof. Charles Hatfield
Department of English
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge CA 91330-8248

or via email at <charles.hatfield@csun.edu>.

Submitters should expect to receive confirmation of acceptance or rejection by mid-April 2003.

*****[Read on for further information about ICAF.]*****

ABOUT ICAF

The International Comic Arts Festival is an annual conference dedicated to promoting the scholarly study of comics. ICAF aims to foster recognition of comic art as an international and interdisciplinary phenomenon, and to encourage collaboration between academics, independent scholars, comics professionals and the wider public.

To reach these objectives, ICAF invites the participation of scholars, historians, critics, teachers, journalists, curators and comics professionals from around the world. We strive to create a collegial environment in which discussion can flourish, with the larger goals of enabling new work within the international scholarly community and inspiring greater public appreciation of comic art.

A three-day event, ICAF takes place each fall in and around Washington, D.C., and draws a diverse audience of academics, independent scholars, comics creators and enthusiasts. ICAF always includes keynote lectures by invited scholars, presentations by distinguished artists, and, at its core, a large number of scholarly paper presentations chosen via blind review. Most ICAF events are free and open to the public.

If you have questions regarding this Call for Papers, please contact Charles Hatfield at the above.

To subscribe to ICAF's email announcement list, go to <http://www.topica.com/lists/icaf>.