The POPsmARTs Undergraduate Research Symposium is the culmination of the Honors Humanities 2007-2008 event schedule. Over the past academic year, Honors Humanities students have heard distinguished scholars and students alike discuss critical and provocative issues in historical and contemporary popular culture. This symposium shifts the focus exclusively to the emerging scholarship and creative applications of undergraduate students from the University of Maryland and the surrounding D.C./Baltimore metro region. All of the past POPsmARTs forums have successfully engendered critical engagement with cultural texts, and this symposium allows students to share some of their own work in the field. Our conference theme is “Beyond Media Literary: Critical Approaches in the Humanities and Creative Arts,” and we are seeking paper and panel submissions from students that will exhibit work on the cutting edge of studies in popular cultures. We are especially interested in studies that move beyond “media literacy” and into a dynamic and dialogical discussion of culture’s role in humanities and the world at large. POPsmARTs Undergraduate Research Symposium will consist of panel presentations, roundtable discussions, a keynote address by Dr. Scott Heath (English, Georgetown University) and the performance of creative arts projects. This April 19, 2008 event strives to reflect the various facets of cultural study and production, illuminating the exciting approaches students have taken to exploring the cultural landscape.
There is no early registration for POPsmARTs. This event is free to attend and is open to the public. For more information about POPsmARTs, please contact the organizing committee at popsmarts2008@gmail.com
In observance of Earth Day 2008, this conference will be environmentally friendly and a donation will be made to offset its carbon footprint.
POPsmARTs is hosted and sponsored by Honors Humanities at the University of Maryland.
View the Conference Schedule (PDF)
View the Conference Poster (PDF)
Previous Events in the POPsmARTs Cultural Forum
(ongoing throughout 2007-2008 academic year)
- Hostel: Sex, Violence and the Cultural Mapping of Horror Film
Monday October 29, 2007, 7pm screening followed by discussion
Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
Food will be provided
- View the flyer in PDF format
We will be viewing Eli Roth's 2006 controversial horror film Hostel.
Following the screening, Lynne M. Constantine, Associate Chair of the
Art and Visual Technology department at George Mason University, will
lead a discussion.
Are these kinds of films merely "torture porn" as some detractors have
argued, are they subversive commentary, or do they fall somewhere in
between? How are ideas surrounding gender, race, sexuality and
perceptions of America negotiated in this unique and uniquely violent
narrative space? We'll be talking about the ever-changing horror
genre, where it's headed next and how it will reflect the cultural
moment. Whether you love it, hate it, or can't watch it without your
hands plastered to your face, come by and join the discussion!
- Joke Analysis 101: (Dis)membering the Chuckle Effect
Wednesday April 9, 2008, 6:30-8 pm
Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
Food will be provided
- View the flyer in PDF format
Please join us as we welcome a very special performance by Beck Krefting, scholar and comic from the Department of American Studies at the University of Maryland. In addition to introducing critical humor studies -- with a focus on the comedy of marginalized women -- Beck will be showing film clips and performing some of her own original standup.
|
|
