GSA 2023: Fascist Fantasies? Popular Fiction and Film in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries, Montreal (03.03.2023)
Conveners:
- Tobias Hof, University of Toronto, Tobias.Hof@arcor.de
- Priscilla Layne, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, playne@email.unc.edu
- Jan Süselbeck, NTNU, jan.suselbeck@ntnu.no
Abstract: Right-wing populist ideologies like fascism appeal to mainstream society in various ways. A recent strategy is decrying objective criticism of problematic messages in popular fantasy and science fiction works as ‘cancel culture.’ These fabricated debates generate support for right-wing allegations about a ‘great replacement’ of a beloved ‘white masculine’ culture by the ‘woke’ left. Recently, this could be observed in controversies surrounding May’s Winnetou and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
Why and how do right-wing audiences adopt these works? Do they adopt what Moritz Baßler coined “popular realism” – stereotypical mainstream narratives for mass audiences worldwide that also appeal to certain peer groups who immediately can relate to the codes used in these (fantastic) narratives as 'given facts'? This seminar explores these questions by having pairs of scholars from different academic disciplines analyze examples. The interdisciplinary approach offers new insights into the aesthetics of popular fantasy and science-fiction works and their reception in Germany since the early 20th century. Given recent debates, such a close examination is critical.
Interested contributors also can ask for a list of possible topics compiled by the conveners.
Format: Paired scholars examine ‘aesthetics’ (day one) and ‘reception’ (day two) of one unique work. Conveners ensure that each work is only presented by one pair. Discussions are based on pre-circulated papers (1.500 words). On day three we discuss our findings. Additional suggestions of texts/films are possible if applicants find partners beforehand.
How to apply to this GSA seminar: The 47th German Studies Association Conference in Montréal, Québec, Canada, from October 5 to October 8, 2023 will again host a series of seminars in addition to conference sessions and roundtables (for general conference information, click here).
Seminars meet for all three days of the conference during the first or second morning slot to foster extended discussion, rigorous intellectual exchange, and intensified networking. They are led by two to four conveners and consist of 8 to 20 participants, at least some of whom should be graduate students. In order to reach the goal of extended discussion, seminar organizers and participants are required to participate in all three installments of the seminar.
To apply for a seminar, click here or access the portal through the conference website. Applications ask for an abstract describing the nature of your contribution to the seminar (500 words max), as well as a short biography (300 words max).
The deadline for applications to participate in a seminar is Friday, March 3rd at 11:59 p.m. PST.