Call for Papers

2013 Call

 RHETORICAL THEORY AND CRITICISM DIVISION

Call for Submissions


2013 Central States Communication Association Conference 


Kansas City Marriott Downtown

Kansas City, Missouri

Communicating the Possible

April 2 – April 7, 2013

The Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group invites submissions of papers and panel proposals for the 2013 CSCA Conference to be held in Kansas City. We welcome topics related to the advancement of rhetorical theory and criticism. In conjunction with the convention theme, we encourage submissions that engage in ideas that extend the boundaries of rhetoric and explore the potential of rhetorical communication in a variety of situations. We invite scholars to consider subjects that include, but are not limited to the following: Presidential rhetoric and the visionary power of public discourse; contemporary engagements in body and performative rhetorics; rhetoric and pedagogical practices; critical rhetorics that examine racial and sexual diversity; rhetorics of place and space; sports rhetoric; organizational rhetoric; health rhetoric; food rhetoric; rhetorical constructions of technology, science, and new media; visual and material rhetorics. 

Additionally, we request undergraduate and graduate students to submit their papers. We also accept a variety of formats including competitive papers, panels, roundtable discussions, debates, and seminars. These alternative delivery formats provide a more interactive engagement with audience members. 

Awards: The Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest group presents two awards. The Karlyn Kohrs Campbell Award is presented to the author(s) of the top paper. The David Zarefsky Award is presented to the author(s) of the top student paper. Each award winner will receive a certificate and monetary prize. 

Guidelines for Submission:

All submissions must follow the guidelines to be considered. 

(1)   Papers

Only completed papers will be accepted. Please include a detachable title page that allows the author’s identity to be concealed. Papers should not exceed 25 pages, excluding references. Additionally, all papers should contain a 50-75 word abstract. Remove all author references in the text of the paper. Indicate if author(s) is/are Central States Communication Association members. Students (including graduate students) should mark their papers as “Student Paper” in the upper right hand corner of the title page. Student papers are those who are authored only by the students. Faculty mentor/advisors should not appear as an author of student submissions. 

(2) Panel Proposals

Individuals proposing panels must complete the 2013 CSCA Panel Proposal Request Form (available at http://www.csca-net.org). Panel submissions must include (a) a title; (b) a brief abstract of the panel; (c) name of the person responsible for the program; (d) names, institutional affiliations, and contact information (address, email, and telephone) of each panel participant; (e) title and abstract for each individual work. Indicate if participants are CSCA members. 

Submit all papers and panel proposals electronically using Microsoft Word. Documents using any other format will be returned to the sender. Each submission will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of paper and/or panel proposal. Please be sure to include a media request with your initial submission. Media is limited to projector and screen. Laptop computers will not be made available for presentations. Requests for media will not be honored on-site. 

Submissions must be received by Friday, October 5, 2012. 

Send all submissions electronically to: 

Stephanie L. Young
Department of Communications
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN 47712
Email: slyoung@usi.edu
Phone: 812-464-1737