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06/19/2007

Call for Papers 2008

 

Call for Papers

Argumentation & Forensics Interest Group

Eastern Communication Association's 99th Annual Meeting

Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA

May 1-May 4, 2008

The Argumentation & Forensics Interest Group invites submission of competitive papers, thematic panel program proposals, and proposals for innovative programming alternatives (such as roundtables, symposia, debates, open forums, and community programs) for the 2008 ECA Annual Meeting.

The theme of the convention is "Making a Difference." The theme brings together three important areas—scholarship, teaching, and service. Each of these areas makes a difference to the discipline and, together, they make a difference in those we reach within and beyond the classroom.

General information relevant to this "Call for Papers" can be found at http://ecasite.org/. Specific information for the Argumentation & Forensics Interest Group follows.

Topics of Interest

We believe that argumentation makes a difference. We are therefore interested in submissions that demonstrate argumentation's efficacy in a variety of contexts and media. To be effective, argumentation needs to be grounded in sound theory and pedagogy. Thus, we are interested in submissions that address theoretical and pedagogical matters.

We also believe that forensics (defined broadly so as to embrace the range of debate genres and the wealth of forensics events) makes a differences in the lives of students. We are interested in hearing their stories, seeing their performances, and exploring how we can make forensics a more successful experience by interrogating its problems, be they ones that surface in program administration or actual competition.

The unit is interested in hearing from undergraduates, graduate students, coaches, former coaches, argumentation scholars, and those who use argumentation in their lives and careers. The more and the more varied the voices, the more the unit's scheduled sessions will be able to demonstrate how argumentation and forensics makes a difference.

The unit's interests dovetail with those of other ECA interest groups. In recognition of this, we are interested in co-sponsoring sessions, especially ones that depart from the academic conference norms by involving creative formats, a high level of interaction, and participants from beyond the academy.

Competitive Papers

The unit welcomes original papers on these topics of interest as well as other areas of argumentation and forensics. Submissions must adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. A submission must include a detachable title page containing the title and the names, affiliations, and contact information (address, telephone number, e-mail address) of all authors. If the paper is multi-authored, please indicate who will be presenting it at the convention.
  2. A submission must include a statement of professional responsibility stating, "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 panel if it is accepted or programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA's annual meeting must register and pay required fees." Submissions without this statement will not be programmed.
  3. A submission must include a 100-150 word abstract of the paper with the paper's title repeated on this page.
  4. A submission should consist of a maximum of 25 pages of text (excluding title page, abstract, and notes/references). Longer papers will not be reviewed.
  5. No information in the paper should identify the author/s.
  6. Authors who have not presented at a regional, national, or international convention should include the word "DEBUT" on the title page; authors who currently are undergraduate or graduate students should include the word "STUDENT" on the title page.

Panels and Alternative Format Programs

The unit welcomes both panel proposals and those for alternative formats. Although all alternatives will be considered, the unit is especially interested in those that highlight argumentation and forensics performance. Submission must adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. A submission must include a title and a rationale for the session.
  2. A submission should include relevant information (the equivalent of a 100 word abstract) for the session's major components.
  3. A submission must include the names, affiliations, and contact information (address, telephone number, e-mail address) of all participants including a chair and (if desired) a respondent.
  4. A submission must include a 75-word description of the session that will appear in the conference program.
  5. A submission must include a statement of professional responsibility. See #2 under "Competitive Papers."

Submission Process

Submit papers and session proposals to Theodore F. Sheckels at tsheckel@rmc.edu. Papers and proposals must be submitted in Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format; and only electronic submissions will be accepted.

All submissions must be received by October 15, 2007.


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