Greetings from New Jersey: Popular Culture & The Garden State
November 2, 2018
Monmouth University
### 2018 New Jersey History Forum Call for Papers – Deadline Extended ###
The New Jersey Historical Commission, New Jersey State Archives, and New Jersey State Museum are pleased to announce the 2018 New Jersey History Forum to be held on Friday, November 2 at Monmouth University. This year’s Forum focuses on New Jersey and American popular culture. From The Perils of Pauline to War of the Worlds, Count Basie, and The Sopranos, New Jersey has undeniably made its mark on popular culture in the United States and around the world. In 2018, the New Jersey Forum will consider the impactful work of New Jersey artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers, and actors over the course of the state’s history.
The Forum is a biennial program that highlights the importance of studying and sharing local history and invites established and emerging scholars, educators, public historians, and a broad spectrum of social science and humanities researchers to present new research that facilitates greater public awareness of New Jersey history.
The focus of the Forum is on New Jersey, though topics relating to the broader Mid-Atlantic region will be considered. Although our theme is the history of popular culture, papers on any topic relating to New Jersey history will be considered.
The term popular culture is defined as: “Cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people” (Dictionary.com, Unabridged). As a focus for the 2018 Forum, popular culture broadly considered is our theme. Presentations exploring the arts and artists associated with the state and their products: music, theater, film, television, literature, architecture, and graphic arts with a focus on popular culture are welcome, as are related topics such as foodways, advertising, fashion, and leisure activities. We encourage consideration of artistic works from NJ women, minorities, multi-ethnic groups, and the LGBTQ community.
The event attracts a mixed audience that includes scholars, public historians, and history enthusiasts. It is suggested that presenters do not read their papers; presentations that summarize research and encourage audience discussion are more successful. Some papers may also be selected for publication in New Jersey Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, the online journal cosponsored by Monmouth University, the New Jersey Historical Commission, and Rutgers University Libraries.
Submission:
Please email a 500-word abstract to Communications Officer, Greer Luce, at greer.luce@sos.nj.gov at the New Jersey Historical Commission by Friday, June 15, 2018. Your submission will be reviewed by the Forum Advisory Committee and you will be notified of the acceptance of your proposal no later than August 2018.
Proposals MUST include:
(a) Contact information (address, telephone, email)
(b) The title of the paper
(c) A one-paragraph bio that includes how you would like to be listed in Forum promotion materials
(d) An abstract of no more than 500 words
(e) Any audio-visual or electrical requirements necessary for your presentation
About the New Jersey Historical Commission
The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) is a state agency dedicated to the advancement of public knowledge and preservation of New Jersey history. Established by law in 1967, its work is founded on the fundamental belief that an understanding of our shared heritage is essential to sustaining a cohesive and robust democracy.
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