CFP: Conference - Date Change for Focus on German Studies

From: Focus on German Studies [[email protected]]

Cincinnati, November 8-9, 2013  *CHANGED DATES*

The German Graduate Student Governance Association of the University of
Cincinnati and the editors of the graduate student journal Focus on German
Studies present the Eighteenth Annual Graduate Student Conference to be
held November 8-9, 2013 at the University of Cincinnati.

Sponsored by the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center and the Graduate
Student Governance Association of the University of Cincinnati.

*Re:  Working, Thinking, Seeing.  Adapting to the 21st Century*

Keynote Speaker:  Dr. Frans Mäyrä, University of Tampere

Keynote Title:  From Narrative to Gameplay (And Back) - Studying
Transmedial Storyworlds

Abstract Deadline:  4 September 2013

In the digital age, the lines between inspiration, adaptation, and
plagiarism become increasingly blurred as new media are explored. Taking
inspiration from others is nothing new; ideas are constantly reworked
across time, cultures, and media. Societies change, new subcultures are
introduced, the boundaries of law are explored, and adaptations often find
themselves on the avant garde. Each adaptation becomes a new, independent,
work in its own right, but is it possible or preferable to analyze it as
such? How do adaptations change one’s perspective of the “original” work?

Comparing adaptations across formats offers the opportunity to explore the
unique possibilities and limitations of various traditional and new media.
 Questions of perspective and the effects of audience interaction, for
example, are some of the aspects to be discussed when exploring new media
adaptations of familiar narratives. New ways of telling a story, evoking
emotion, protesting, advocating, and expressing oneself are being developed
every day. In what ways does this affect older media, and where do we go
from here?

This conference seeks to explore what it means to adapt a narrative in the
twenty-first century.  In continuing the interdisciplinarity of last year’s
conference, we encourage critical and reflective papers from all areas of
study with a focus on adaptations involving a German contribution.

Possible topics include but are not limited to the following:

   - Intermediary adaptations (print, film, stage, visual art, new media,
   etc.)
   - Intercultural adaptations
   - Adaptation reception
   - Defining adaptation
   - Comparative approaches to adaptation
   - Close readings of adaptations
   - Archetypes and stock characters
   - Adaptations of classics
   - Counterfactual history
   - Mythical and Biblical themes
   - Adaptation vs. Plagiarism
   - Satiric responses
   - “Based on a true story…”
   - Remakes, Restagings, Revivals
   - Fanfic
   - Music sampling
   - Memes

Revised conference papers can also be submitted for publication to our Focus on
German Studies journal.  Please send an abstract of 250-300 words in either
English or German as an MS-Word attachment to *Alexandra Parks* and *Alex
Hogue* at [email protected] (ATTN:  Focus on GS Conference).  Please
include your university affiliation in your email when you submit your
abstract.

*Please Note:  Conference participants have the option of housing with UC
graduate students.

--
Alexandra Parks
Alex Hogue
Editors
Focus on German Studies
University Of Cincinnati ML 0372
Cincinnati, OH  45221-0372 USA
Phone (513) 556-2752
Fax (513) 556-1991
[email protected]
[email protected]
http://www.artsci.uc.edu/collegedepts/german/focus/

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