Current Calls for Papers

“Bodies of Knowledge/Knowledge of Bodies: Depictions of the Body in American Travel Writing.”

The Society for American Travel Writing. American Literature Association Annual Conference, 24-27 May 2007, Westin Copley Place, Boston, MA.

The Society for American Travel Writing, a member society of the American Literature Association, issues a call for papers for two sessions at the ALA 2007 conference in Boston, MA. Entitled “Bodies of Knowledge/Knowledge of Bodies: Depictions of the Body in American Travel Writing,” the sessions will explore depictions of the body in travel writings by “American” authors or about “America” or “Americans.” Approaches may include (but are not limited to):

· Relationships between the body and knowledge

· Effects of travel on the body, including illness, discomfort, etc.

· Travel and bodily processes, including consumption, digestion, evacuation, etc.

· Travel and bodily concerns, including appearance, physical danger, sexuality, disability, gastronomy, etc.

· Historical perceptions of the body in American travel writing

Papers should be 20 minutes in length. Abstracts of no more than two pages may be submitted by 15 January 2006 by mail, or preferably by email, to Dr. Valerie Smith, Department of English, Quinnipiac University, CLA-IC, 237 Mt. Carmel Ave., Hamden, CT, 06518, or <Valerie.Smith@quinnipiac.edu>; or to Dr. Russ Pottle, Department of Literature, Saint Joseph Seminary College, 75376 River Rd., Saint Benedict, LA, 70457, or <acdean@sjasc.edu>.