Fat Studies ? an interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary field of
study that
confronts and critiques cultural constraints against the fat body,
examines
science that is used to support and/or question and/or counter the
health issues
related to fat bodies, and creates paradigms for the development of fat
acceptance within mass society.


Proposals are being accepted for the PCA/ACA (Popular Culture
Association/American Culture Association) National Conference in
Atlanta, GA, April 12-16
2006 in the area of Fat Studies. Papers can be from any field of study
and are
welcomed from academics/researchers/ intellectuals/activists/artists at
any
stage in their career, with or without any formal affiliation.



Topics may include but are not limited to:

- the representation of fat people in literature, film, music, t.v.,
or in nonfiction

- the fat body/art history


- cultural considerations of the fat body in various parts of the
world

- the cultural or philosophical meanings of fat

- the fat guest on talk shows or in newsmagazines

- fat acceptance/activism

- historical views of fat

- approaches to fat and body image in psychotherapy

- fat children: literature, media, law, pedagogical approaches

- fat and race, ethnicity, class and/or religious background,
ability, feminism

- Is fat a disability issue? Does the ADA include accommodation for
the fat body? What are the debates among disability civil rights
activists
about inclusion of the fat body under the rubric of ADA? What are the
debates
among fat civil rights activists about inclusion in the disability
community?

- history/critique of diet books and scams

- Is fat a feminist issue? If so, what kind of feminist issue?

- the place of fataphobia or fat oppression in the economic system

- fat community, Fat Community

- fat oppression as an issue for aging people

- racism, anti-Semitism, etc. and fat oppression

- responses to fat oppression (internalized oppression, bullying,
striking back at bigotry, dieting, eating disorders, etc.)

- legal issues related to fat bodies

- scientific perspectives on fat bodies





By November 1, 2005, please send abstract of 250 words or completed
paper to
Lynda_hinkle@yahoo.com (preferred) or:



Lynda Hinkle

Rutgers University

English Department

311 North Fifth Street

Room 445

Camden, NJ 08012



Please include your complete contact information, and a CV and/or 50
word bio
along with anticipated A/V needs.

Presenters must become members of the Popular Culture Association. Find
more
information on the conference and organization at
http://www.popularculture.org.