CFP: Why Arthur? (round table) (9/1/09; Kalamazoo 5/13-16/10)

CALL FOR PAPERS

ROUND TABLE on
WHY ARTHUR?
REFLECTIONS ON THE INTERNATIONAL APPEAL OF THE
MATTER OF BRITAIN IN THE POST-MEDIEVAL WORLD

45TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON MEDIEVAL STUDIES
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
KALAMAZOO, MI
13-16 MAY 2010

PROPOSALS BY 1 SEPTEMBER 2009

Co-Sponsored by
THE ALLIANCE FOR THE PROMOTION OF RESEARCH ON THE VILLAINS OF THE MATTER OF BRITAIN and THE SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF POPULAR CULTURE AND THE MIDDLE AGES


The Alliance for the Promotion of Research on the Villains of the Matter of Britain and the Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages invites proposals for 10- to 15-minute presentations exploring the theme of "Why Arthur? Reflections on the International Appeal of the Matter of Britain in the Post-Medieval World." We are especially interested in hearing the perspective of scholars outside of North America.


SESSION RATIONALE

To paraphrase Umberto Eco, people seem to like King Arthur and the members of his court at Camelot. The Matter of Britain is at least a millennium and a half old, and, despite its advanced age, the Arthurian legend, as eternal as the Once and Future King at its core, remains a vibrant source for creative artists and propagandists to draw upon. Our round table session on “Why Arthur? Reflections on the International Appeal of the Matter of Britain in the Post-Medieval World” will explore some of the reasons why Arthuriana remains popular. We are particularly interested in answering the following question: Is the Arthurian legend simply a good story, which appeals to individuals around the world, or is there another reason (e.g. nostalgia for a lost age or hope for a better world) beyond the worldwide distribution and popularity of the Matter of Britain, even in countries with little or no ties to British culture? Participants in these sessions will offer a global perspective on the reception and appropriation of Arthurian characters—both heroes and villains—and themes from the end of the Middle Ages to the present.


Potential presenters should be aware that participation in a round table does not preclude the presentation of a paper at the Congress or participation in other sessions, though the Congress does limit individuals to three appearances in the program.


Please submit a 250-500 word proposal and completed Participant Information Form (available at http://www.wmich.edu/medieval/congress/submissions/index.html) to the organizing committee at Popular.Culture.and.the.Middle.Ages-at-gmail-dot-com by 1 September 2009. Please include the words “Why Arthur?” in the subject line.


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Michael A. Torregrossa, MA
34 Second Street
Smithfield, RI 02917-3627
Popular.Culture.and.the.Middle.Ages-at-gmail-dot-com

Founder, The Alliance for the Promotion of Research on the Villains of the Matter of Britain
Co-Founder, The Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages