Call for Papers
Transitions
Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts
April 26–29, 2012

The Media Ecology Association, an affiliated association of the Eastern Communication Association, invites submission of competitive papers, thematic program/panel proposals, and innovative programming alternatives (e.g., roundtables, symposia, debates, open forums, and community programs) for the 103rd annual convention of the Eastern Communication Association. 

The 2012 convention’s theme, “Transitions,” reflects this particular juncture in time for us as media and communication scholars, as we move forward into the 21st Century and into an age of digital media and culture, which very may well be bringing about the same kind of revolutionary changes that were brought about by speech, writing, print, and our electronic media. In addition, it reflects a time in which we are experiencing the centenary year celebrations of key figures in the media ecology tradition—Marshall McLuhan (2011) and Walter Ong (2012)—and in which we have also recently experienced the passing of other influential figures, including Neil Postman and James Carey.

In keeping with this theme, we ask you to consider papers, thematic panels, and other programs that explore the issues and questions of transition, and the ways in which these issues and questions intersect with the critical, methodological, research, and/or theoretical issues in media ecology.

General information about the 2012 Call for Papers can be found at http://ecasite.org.

Submissions to the Media Ecology Interest Group must adhere to the following guidelines.

In order to receive full consideration, Media Ecology Interest Group completed papers and program/panel proposals must be received by October 14, 2011.

Submissions must be sent via e-mail, with attachment(s) in MS Word format, to the 2012 Program Planner:

Thom Gencarelli, Manhattan College - thom.gencarelli at manhattan.edu

Completed Papers

Abstracts or incomplete papers are not acceptable. Submissions of completed papers should be sent as a Microsoft Word or plain text file, and must include the following:

1. A detachable title page with the title of the paper and the author or authors’ names, affiliation, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address
2. The word “DEBUT” marked on all papers written by authors have not previously presented at a regional or national convention
3. A one-page abstract on the second page
4. A statement of professional responsibility (see below) on the second page.

The e-mail text must include any request for presentation aids (such as projectors, video monitors, DVD players, etc.).

Finally, if the paper is multi-authored, please indicate who will be presenting the paper at the convention.

Program/Panel Proposals

All program/panel submissions should be sent as a Microsoft Word or plain text file and must include

1. A thematic title for the program/panel
2. The name of the Chair, and Respondent (if any). Please do not have Chairs act as Respondents.
3. The names, institutional affiliations, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of all participants
4. Titles and abstracts for each paper or presentation
5. The program copy (no more than a 75-word description) as it should appear in the final program
6. A detailed rationale for the program/panel
7. A statement of professional responsibility (see below)

The e-mail subject header should include the abbreviation “ECA” and the title of the paper.

The e-mail text must include any request for presentation aids (such as projectors, video monitors, DVD players, etc.).

Statement of Professional Responsibility

When submitting a paper or proposal for review, the following statement MUST be included. (If it is not attached to a submitted document, the Chair is responsible for obtaining a completed copy of this form before the paper/program/panel is officially programmed for presentation at the convention.) Papers and panels without this statement will not be programmed.

“In submitting the attached paper or proposal, I/we recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility.  I/we agree to present this paper or program/panel if it is accepted and programmed.  I/we further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay the required fees.”

Technology Policy

For the complete statement about the provision of media technology by the ECA for the conference participants, please see the ECA’s “Technology Policy,” available at http://www.ecasite.org/pdf/technologypolicy042007.pdf.

Note, however, that reasonable requests for technology support will not be met unless they are received by the program planner at the time of the paper or program submission.

For any additional information about the convention, please visit the ECA website at http://www.ecasite.org/.

For any additional information regarding this CFP, please contact the Media Ecology Association Program Planner:

Thom Gencarelli
Communication Department
Manhattan College
4513 Manhattan College Parkway
Riverdale, NY 10471
718-862-7490
718-862-3846       (FAX)
thom.gencarelli at manhattan.edu