Call for Papers

“Mythos Deutschland”
 Austausch – Interdisciplinary Journal of German Studies

Austausch is a new, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary electronic journal for German Studies, published biannually under the auspices of the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University, UK. Our aim is to bring together postgraduates from different disciplines concerned with German Studies in particular or Germany in a wider sense. The main purpose is to provide postgraduates and early career researchers with a platform for peer-reviewed publications and to establish an academic network, encouraging exchange between students, scholars, and institutions with a shared interest in German Studies.

For our inaugural issue (spring 2011) we invite abstracts for articles of between 6,000 and 8,000 words, written either in English or German, about the interrelation of Germany and myth. Approaching myth in the broadest sense, whether it be folklore, narrative, or ideology, we consider a wide range of critical engagements with German national identity. How do myths contribute to the self-image of Germany and Germans? How have narratives and discourses shaped or challenged the nation (from Nibelungen to Dolchstoßlegende)? How do nationalism and myth interact? What is the cultural and economic significance of cults and legends (from Bismarck Mythos to Bundesliga)? How do national myths influence the horizon of political action? Further aspects could be the assessment of social marketing campaigns (“Du bist Deutschland”), the relation between cultural memory, history, and material culture, but also pervasive or latent misconceptions about Germany, counter-myths, demystifications, and disenchantments.

The call addresses postgraduates and scholars from all disciplines. We invite abstracts of 400 to 500 words plus a short indicative bibliography and information about your academic affiliation. Submission deadline is 30th April 2010. Upon acceptance of proposals, submission guidelines will be sent to the contributors. Articles are due by 1st September 2010.

Topics may include (but are not limited to):
•       Myths and German nationality
•       Political Myths
•       Myths in German literature, history, philosophy, and religion
•       Nationalist employment of myth, legend, and folklore
•       Cultural memory and myth
•       Visual and/versus material culture
•       Remembering the GDR
•       Perceptions and stereotypes
•       Ideology and medial (mis-)representations

Please send your abstract by 30.04.2010 to [log in to unmask]

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The German Studies Call for Papers List
Editor: Stefani Engelstein
Acting Assistant Editor:  Olaf Schmidt
Sponsored by the University of Missouri
Info available at: http://www.missouri.edu/~graswww/resources/gerlistserv.html