The study of popular culture is a critical component of the field of cultural studies. Courses, academic journals, conferences and collections of popular culture have grown in importance at many of our institutions. Traditional and emerging forms of popular cultural expression in multiple formats are now legitimate objects of study.
We will explore a broad range of media and avenues through which popular culture is expressed: film and television, popular music and art, performance, graphic novels, artisan and artists' books, the internet and social media, and many others.
Throughout Latin America, popular culture and the arts are increasingly being employed as agents of social change. Particular attention will be paid to the exploration of projects that document the social uses of popular culture. The various cartonera (cardboard book) initiatives, for example, rely upon, employ and educate persons who are often marginalized or at risk; comic book artists in Juárez, Mexico train youth to document their lives through art and story; filmmakers in Brazil empower favela dwellers to become actors and screenwriters.
In addition to scholarly presentations and panels, the program will include documentation of social projects, workshops and roundtables on collection development, acquisitions, bookmaking, cataloging and preservation. Discussions of popular culture in Spain and Portugal and among Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States are also welcome. Topics related to Caribbean culture will be of special interest. Possible presentation topics may include:
- Theoretical studies of popular culture: cultural studies, cultural agents
- Expressions of popular culture / exploration of social projects which employ popular culture and the arts
- Creation and organization of collections
- Acquisitions, cataloging, preservation and access to materials that document popular culture
We are appealing to Faculty, Librarians and other interested persons from The University of the West Indies; The University of Trinidad and Tobago; other Tertiary Level Institutions in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region; The National Library and Information System (NALIS); Libraries and Library Associations throughout the Caribbean to propose panels and present on:
- music in T&T/Caribbean
- carnival
- collections of materials relating to music, and other cultural forms
- social education via music
- social and cultural aspects of music industry, and film
- other topics related to the theme of the conference
Interested participants, presenters and panel organizers should contact the SALALM 2011-2012 president with proposals:
- Lynn Shirey;
- 140 Widener Library;
- Harvard University;
- Cambridge, MA 02138
- shirey@fas.harvard.edu.
Include your name, institution, contact information, proposed title and abstract. The deadline for receipt has been extended to February 29, 2012.
Proposals can also be submitted using the online submit form.
For local arrangements and exhibits queries, contact Elmelinda Lara (Elmelinda.Lara@sta.uwi.edu).