Call for Papers for the Annual Graduate English Society Conference at Texas Tech University:

“Redefining the New: Guiding the Direction of English Studies.” Lubbock, Texas

Friday and Saturday, February 23-24, 2007
Abstract Deadline: January 15, 2007

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Paul Jay, Loyola University Chicago
http://www.luc.edu/depts/english/faculty/jay.htm

This conference is geared toward graduate-level writing, study, and research. Our theme invites participants to situate their efforts in ongoing academic conversations in the fields of literature, language, creative writing, and technical communication. Graduate students will demonstrate that their research propels the “new” scholars of today into the academic workforce of tomorrow. This is a conference at which graduate students can discuss their ideas in an encouraging and thought-provoking environment, not only presenting their work, but also integrating it into the new, interdisciplinary, global direction of English studies.

The Graduate English Society welcomes papers and panels from all English disciplines that may address ANY area of literature or film studies, creative writing, linguistics, composition and rhetoric, technical communication, or even professional challenges facing students in English graduate programs. As our theme suggests, we especially welcome work that underscores current trends and issues in English studies, such as:

Cultural studies and interdisciplinary approaches
Race/ethnic studies
Postcolonial or global literatures
Gender studies
Digital humanities initiatives
Book history and bibliography
English studies job markets and professional development matters

Those interested in participating should submit their 200-300 word abstracts no later than January 15, 2007 to Karen Beth O’Dell and Emily Johnson at gesconference2007@yahoo.com.

The e-mail should include the following information:
title of paper
200-300 word abstract pasted into body of e-mail
the applicant’s current academic program or position (M.A., Ph.D., M.F.A., faculty), department, and institution
any special assistance needed
technology or visual aid required for presentation (each conference room is equipped with computers and projectors)
Panel proposals should include the additional information:
each panel member’s name, institution, academic program or position, e-mail address
individual abstracts for each member on panel if available
Applicants will be notified of acceptance when the deadline has passed.

For more conference information, we invite you to visit the GES conference website and blog, which will be updated periodically as more details and panels are confirmed.
http://english.ttu.edu/ges/07Conference/index.html
http://gesconferencettu.blogspot.com