107th Annual ECA Convention
[R]evolution
Baltimore, MD
The Hyatt Regency
March 31st – April 3rd
POLITICAL COMMUNICATION INTEREST GROUP
Submission Deadline: October 15, 2015
Although Baltimore, MD, is not known for events during the Revolutionary War, the city was critical to the success of the 13 Colonies’ freedom. After Philadelphia was taken by the British, Baltimore became the temporary capital of the 13 Colonies from December 1776 to February 1777. During this time period, the Second Continental Congress (or the John Hancock Congress) unanimously voted to print authentic copies of the Declaration of Independence with all of the original signers names attached to the document. Mary Katherine Goddard, a Baltimore Postmaster, printer, and publisher, typeset and created the first printed versions of the document, which were then sent to each of the 13 Colonies so everyone could see who had.
Of course, Baltimore is more famous for a different battle during the War of 1812. Prior to the Battle of Baltimore, Maj. George Armistead asked for a flag so big that the British would have no trouble seeing it fly above Ft. McHenry. While attempting to negotiate the release of a local physician, Francis Scott Key was held captive off the coast during the Battle of Fort McHenry. When he woke the next morning, he could see that “the flag was still there.” At this sight, he was uniquely inspired to write the beginnings of what would become the U.S. National Anthem.
Although the Revolutionary war helped spur on the creation of the United States of America, the War of 1812 was equally important in how the U.S. evolved in its sense of national pride and unity.
Following in the spirit of these [r]evolutionary events, I invite our collaborative consideration about [R]evolution in the communication discipline. Are the field, our scholarship, and our teaching best served by a series of slow, incremental changes, or is it time to promote radical, pervasive overthrow of the status quo?
Submission of Completed Papers
Individual submissions of complete papers should include the following elements:
** If the paper has multiple authors, please indicate who will be presenting at the convention.
Submission of Program/Panel Proposals
Submission of program/panel proposals should include the following elements:
Possible Ideas
During our annual business meeting, a number of possible ideas were discussed:
1) A debate about [R]evolution within our interest group.
2) Possibility of bringing in outside panelists who could explore the convention theme.
3) A special tribute session to Robert Denton.
4) A session playing-off of our Baltimore location
5) Sessions dealing with the on-going 2016 presidential campaign.
Please send your submissions and/or inquiries to tsheckel@rmc.edu. All submissions should be submitted as a .doc/.docx file. Remember, the deadline for submissions is October 15, 2015.
Sincerely,
Theodore F. Sheckels, Interest Group, Vice-Chair
Statement of Professional Responsibility
The following statement MUST be included with every submission of a paper or panel in order for it to be eligible for review. If it is not attached with a submitted document, the chair is responsible for obtaining a completed copy of this form prior to the paper/panel being officially programmed for presentation at the convention.
In submitting the attached paper or proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this panel or paper 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 required fees.
Come and be part of the [R]evolution!