This is the Early September MAPACA newsletter. Our next annual conference is November 7-9 in Atlantic City, NJ.
In This Newsletter, We Have:
- #MAPACA2024 Conference Updates - Regular Registration
- Call for Proposals for our High-Density Popular Culture Crash Course - Last Call!
- 2024 Loretta Lorance Volunteer Recognition Award honoree Jordan McClain
- 2024 Divine Impact Award - Samuel R. Delany
- Our COVID-19 statement for the 2024 conference
- Important Dates
Regular Registration
Regular registration for this year’s conference is open until September 24 at mapaca.net! The rates for Regular Registration are lower than Late Registration. We can’t wait to see you in AC!
Reserve your room for #MAPACA2024 today!
Use this link to book your room at the Tropicana Casino and Resort, Atlantic City, NJ.
Or you can book your room by calling 888-516-2215 (8am-2am EST, 7 days a week) and give the group name Mid Atlantic Popular and American Culture Association and the group code ST11MA4.
Last Call for Proposals for our High-Density Popular Culture Crash Course
MAPACA seeks proposals for a special session at the 2024 annual conference. Please note: You ARE ALLOWED to present at the Crash Course whether you are already presenting at our 2024 conference or not. As long as you register for the conference and your proposal is accepted, you are welcome!
Panel Overview: This high-density session will feature several 5-minute micro-presentations about current popular culture topics in a “crash course” about new and interesting phenomena. Since many attendees often spend the majority of their conference time attending presentations related to only one or a few areas, this special session will offer a chance to learn about a diverse range of topics meant to inform popular culture scholars beyond their specific research interests. Proposals will be selected based on merit and diversity of topics.
Topics: An ideal topic will be: current, significant, interesting, and the sort of thing people talk about before class/at parties/on social media.
Examples could include (but are not limited to):
- Brand nostalgia and reboots
- Streaming service bundles
- The pop-culture importance of Anime and Gaming
- AI in music
- The fashion of the Olympics
- The influence of the Korean culture in Western pop culture (K-pop, K-dramas, K-beauty, etc.)
- Insert your great idea here
How to Submit: Email a brief biography and a 75-word proposal that includes a presentation title, an explanation of the topic, and identification of significance for contemporary popular culture research. (Please include this information in the body of your email, not as an attachment.) Email Dr. Tom Grochowski at crashcourse@mapaca.net. Deadline: September 6, 2024.
2024 Loretta Lorance Volunteer Recognition Award Honoree - Jordan McClain
We are excited to announce that the recipient of the Loretta Lorance Volunteer Recognition Award is Dr. Jordan McClain! The Lorance Award is granted to a conference participant who has contributed to the growth and success of the Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association through service and leadership.
Dr. Jordan McClain is a longtime MAPACA contributor and consultant based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He earned his Ph.D. in Mass Media and Communication and M.A. in Broadcasting, Telecommunications, and Mass Media, both from Temple University.
His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Popular Culture, Popular Music and Society, Applied Journalism and Media Studies, and Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy, as well as several edited books.
In addition to prior academic positions held at Temple University and Drexel University, Dr. McClain’s recent industry work has included helping universities and startups build online learning experiences.
In 2007, he attended his first MAPACA conference. Inspired by the organization and its community, he has since served in numerous roles, including peer reviewer for MAPACA’s research journals Mid-Atlantic Almanack and Response, co-chair of the Music area, co-founder and co-chair of the Professional Development area, founder and chair of the Journalism and News Media area, founder of the annual Popular Culture Crash Course, founding Vice President of Communications, President, and Board member.
2024 Divine Impact Award - Samuel R. Delany
The winner of the 2024 Divine Impact Award (DIA) is Samuel R. Delany! Come celebrate with us at #MAPACA2024! The DIA recognizes outstanding creative or scholarly achievement in the production, performance, or scholarly consideration of popular and/or American culture that exhibits exceptional contribution, longevity, originality, and impact.
In 2016, Samuel R. Delany was inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame. Filmmaker, novelist, and critic, he is the author of the award-winning books Babel-17 and Dark Reflections, as well as Nova, Dhalgren, and the Return to Nevèrÿon series. A retired professor, he lives in Philadelphia with his partner Dennis. His website is www.samueldelany.com.
Samuel Delany will have books for sale and will be doing a signing after the DIA talk! You can purchase on-site:
Atheist in the Attic - $12
Big Joe - $20
Cash is strongly encouraged. Delany will also sign personal books (up to four signatures total, per person). There is no charge for signings.
COVID Statement
We look forward to welcoming you to our 2024 conference this November. At this time, our conference will be mask-encouraged to support our immunocompromised community members. Remember, the proper wearing of a mask that covers your nose and mouth helps prevent community spread and protects everyone, especially immunocompromised colleagues.
Before the conference, please check to see if you are eligible for a vaccine or booster for COVID-19 or other seasonal diseases, such as the flu. Visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination locations near you. Keeping up to date with vaccines, in line with public health and your doctor’s guidance, further supports our community.
Finally, we are asking you to do your part in contributing to the health and well-being of your fellow MAPACA attendees by staying home if you feel sick and/or are symptomatic. The Mid-Atlantic Popular and American Culture Association (MAPACA) is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely. These guidelines may change based on infection rates in the country and Atlantic City, NJ as the conference approaches.
Important Dates
- Now-September 24: Regular registration
- September 6: Deadline to send in a Crash Course proposal
- September 25-October 1: Late registration
- November 7-9: 2024 Conference in Atlantic City, NJ
Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA)
P.O. Box 1358
Lansdowne, PA 19050
To donate, please visit https://mapaca.net/donation