Dear all,
I'm organising a panel (or two) on celebrity for the annual conference of
the UK Media, Communications and Cultural Studies Association (MeCCSA) which
will take place at the University of Reading (UK) from 18-20 December 2002.
I'd welcome papers which address the significance of celebrity, whether in
contemporary media, or historically, or both.
Key questions which might be addressed, whether via the use of case studies
or via broader overviews, are as follows: How might we understand the
production of celebrity? What do the changing economics and institutions of
celebrity tell us about historical changes in the media and popular culture?
How do audiences interpret particular celebrities, and what does this tell
us about celebrity and the media? What kinds of pleasures do celebrities
make available to audiences? How are new textual forms and genres changing -
or maintaining - existing ways in which celebrity is understood? What light
does celebrity in general, or particular celebrities, throw on dynamics of
gender, sexuality, ethnicity and class? Which social and cultural theories
are most helpful in understanding celebrity, and the meaning of celebrity in
social life? How might we understand celebrity in relation to economic,
political and social power?
If you'd like to participate in this panel, please send a title and short
outline (200-300 words) of what you'd like to talk about, to Dave
Hesmondhalgh at [log in to unmask], by 25 September 2002. Or
alternatively please pass on this message to someone, if you think they
might be interested in being involved.
Dave Hesmondhalgh
Faculty of Social Sciences
The Open University
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