CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: The Religious Communication Association invites submissions for the 2009 NCA Convention, Thursday, November 12 - Sunday, November 15, 2009, Chicago, Illinois. Of particular interest are submissions that engage the NCA Convention Theme: “Discourses of Stability and Change.” Multiple discourses are at the heart of meaning-making, and are both inevitable and necessary. As a discipline we manage discourses of stability, continuity, and routine, while simultaneously managing opposing discourses of change, novelty, and surprise. For our 2009 convention, we will focus on celebrating our foundations and what binds us together, as well as on the growth and opportunities of NCA and our discipline into the future. Competitive Papers: Individual papers submitted according to the NCA Call guidelines for review. Unless otherwise requested, all competitive papers will also be considered for NCA’s “scholar-toscholar” interactive sessions. Thematic Panels: A group of panelists with titled presentations centered on a common theme. Roundtables: A group of panelists who discuss a specific topic in a “seminar conversation” format. Scholar to Scholar: Individual papers submitted for public display in dedicated sessions with engagement by selected “wandering scholars,” experts in the field; formats include innovative formats such as video, interactive media, slide shows, experiential activities, and posters. This innovative poster format is quickly becoming a sought-after way to present research, particularly as it provides a one-on-one interactive format for communication and discussion.
DEADLINE: Wednesday, February 11, 2009.
SUBMISSION PROCESS: All papers/panels with the exception of the Five Year Out session mentioned below, must be submitted to RCA on-line via NCA’s All Academic site. Please note if your paper is a student paper (undergraduate or graduate) or a debut paper (first NCA submission) by checking the appropriate box on the All Academic submission form. Note, as well, if you are willing to have your paper considered for Scholar to Scholar presentation format. NCA SUBMISSION LIMITS: Only one first-author paper/panel may be submitted per NCA unit (division or affiliated organization). No author may submit more than three papers/panels total.
RCA SCHOLARSHIP DIVISIONS: Clearly label all submitted documents with the division under which you would like the submission to be reviewed. Mediated Communication: All forms of mediated communication (film, television, radio, etc.), public relations, advertising, and mass communication theory.* Communication Studies: Interpersonal and organizational communication, communication theory, gender and cultural studies.* Rhetorical Studies: Rhetorical theory and criticism, public address, and performance.*
*Submit curriculum and instruction papers or panels to the appropriate RCA division or directly to
NCA as a GIFTS (Great Ideas For Teaching Speech) proposal. GIFTS is listed as an NCA division under the general NCA convention call for submissions. A/V EQUIPMENT: Requests must be made at the time of paper or panel submission and should be kept to a minimum—essential equipment only. Proposals for intra-divisional collaboration across NCA units are also solicited. While some programming constraints are inevitable in planning a convention of this size, every effort will be made to accommodate innovative formats. ATTENTION - Five Years Out Panel (spotlight panel): In addition, the 2009 convention will be th held five years out from NCA’s 100 anniversary (2014). Moving toward the Centennial of NCA presents us with opportunities to consider the past, present, and future of our association and discipline. To that end, NCA is planning special programming that looks forward to its Centennial. NCA requests that all NCA units (divisions, sections, and caucuses) plan a “Five Years Out” (FYO) panel. “Five Years Out” programs should address five questions: 1) What is the historical development of your area (division, section, caucus) in the discipline and at NCA? 2) What are the major themes and contributions of your area over its history? What is the state of the art? 3) Where is your area headed? What do you want to accomplish by NCA’s Centennial? 4) What are the greatest resources you bring to the discipline and what are the challenges to meeting your goals? 5) What are your greatest contributions to communities inside and outside of the academy? Where does and where can your area make a difference? “Five Years Out” sessions will be awarded a First Vice President’s program slot and do not count against RCA’s total allotment of slots. NCA will choose some of these panels to be presented during featured times and will arrange to have the panels recorded and archived on the NCA website This is a great opportunity to showcase RCA and to leave a gift and legacy for RCA members and the association. Creativity in formats and involvement of unit members from a variety of perspectives are encouraged. For example, RCA may want to feature panelists representing five different decades, different paradigmatic perspectives, or different pedagogical approaches. SPECIAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR FIVE YEAR OUT (FYO) SESSIONS: 1) title of your FYO and name of the unit in the title; 2) statement of purpose and goals of the FYO session; 3) name, title, contact information of each presenter; 4) a 75-word abstract which will serve as the session course description if accepted. Five Year Out sessions MUST be forwarded by NCA Unit Planners. DO NOT directly submit your FYI session to NCA. Send your FYO session to RCA’s Unit Planner, Robert Woods, rwoods@arbor.edu (see additional contact information below). The deadline for FYO submission by RCA’s Unit Planner is Feb. 11, Your unit planner should receive your FYO session no later than Jan. 31, 2009.
PROGRAM PLANNER: If you have any question, do not hesitate to contact Robert Woods, Department of Communication and Media, Spring Arbor University, 106 E. Main Street, Spring Arbor, Michigan, 49283; 517.740.0668; rwoods@arbor.edu.