The 2004 ICA convention in New Orleans, to be held May 27-31, 2004, is shaping up to be a great one for FSD. We are planning two special theme sessions and a pre-convention retreat that will give feminist scholars the opportunity to get to know each other better and to discuss our common research interests in a relaxed setting.
Vicki Mayer of Tulane University generously volunteered at the San Diego convention in May to organize the retreat, and she has done a terrific job finding an affordable site within easy access to the convention at the Sheraton New Orleans and the rest of the city. The retreat will be held May 26 and 27 at the Southern Dominican Province, a convent serving Loyola University, which is located across from Audubon Park and the zoo. The approximate cost of the two-day retreat (and members are, of course, welcome to come for one day if they can’t make both) for one day of meals and two nights lodging is $85 for a shared room and $130 for a private room. As Vicki notes, the retreat is an opportunity for feminist scholars of all ranks, from graduate students to seasoned faculty, to "come together, share their work and experiences, and learn from each other." The programming hasn’t been finalized yet, but we plan to invite a feminist scholar to share her work with us.
In addition to the retreat, FSD is planning to sponsor two special theme panels for the convention itself. Details were still being worked on at the time of this newsletter’s deadline, but both should be of widespread interest to members.
The special theme panel on "women and the war in Iraq" is both timely and, I believe, terribly important given the situation there and the U.S. government’s attempts to use the media to win consent for its campaign. In the midst of chaos, death and huge financial commitment, we know very little about how women - both Iraqi citizens and U.S. soldiers -- are faring, either in the media or in their lived experiences. This panel will illuminate the spaces missing from public discourse and provide an opportunity to examine aspects of the war in Iraq from a feminist perspective.
The other special panel is tied to the convention theme of "Communication Research in the Public Interest" and will center on feminist research for social change. This, of course, is at the heart of what we do as feminist scholars. This panel of key women in the field of feminist media studies promises to be enlightening, engaging and rewarding as they share their work and insights.
Another bonus for those attending the New Orleans convention is the scheduling of Console-ing Passions right after ICA ends. This international conference on feminism, television and media will be held May 30-June 2, 2004, in the city, making it convenient for those at the ICA convention to attend. (See Vicki Mayer’s article about Console-ing Passions in this newsletter for more information about the conference.)
Of course, in addition to the retreat, special theme sessions and the option of extending your stay for Console-ing Passions, there’s New Orleans itself. Besides being a great city for food, sightseeing and jazz, New Orleans has a unique history as a center for witches and the occult. The 2004 convention, like the city itself, truly has something for everyone. |
