CFP: The Spike Lee Reader

Call for Proposals for Edited Volume
THE SPIKE LEE READER

Janice D. Hamlet, Ph.D., co-editor Department of Communication Northern Illinois University

Robin Means-Coleman, Ph.D., co-editor Department of Communication and the Center for AfroAmerican and African Studies University of Michigan

Shelton Jackson “Spike” Lee has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most influential, productive and controversial filmmakers in the past two decades. As a screenwriter, director, actor, producer, author, artistic director, teacher, advertising executive, and entrepreneur, Lee has revolutionized the role of black talent in Hollywood, tearing away decades of stereotypes and marginalized portrayals to establish a new arena for African American voices to be heard. His movies have been a series of provocative socio-political critiques informed by an unwavering commitment toward challenging cultural assumptions not only about race, but also class and gender identity. Along the way, he has both solidified his own standing as one of contemporary cinema’s most influential figures and entertained the world. Film critic Roger Ebert has described Spike Lee as one of the greatest filmmakers in America today. Film scholar, Mark Reid regards Lee as having a unique “personal visual style” and a challenging “moral vision.”

Book Project:
The Spike Lee Reader will present critical examinations of the multidimensional aspects of Spike Lee. The Spike Lee Reader will focus on this important cultural producer, bringing together the most seminal writings (both classic scholarship and new research) to explore crucial contemporary questions of race, politics, sexuality, gender roles, class, economics and media impacts. The Spike Lee Reader seeks to stimulate discussion by examining Lee’s various socio-political claims and their ideological impacts. The editors are interested in carefully conceived proposals for manuscripts which critically examine Lee as either filmmaker, producer, director, actor, author, marketing executive, social critic, or entrepreneur. All methodological and theoretical approaches are welcome.

The editors are particularly interested in proposed papers that addresses the following aspects of Lee:
 Public persona
 Speaking tours/socio-cultural critic
 Film aesthetics
 Documentaries
 Production company
 Advertising/marketing projects
 Children books
 Popular films

Submission of Extended Abstracts:
Potential authors should submit four (4) copies of a preliminary proposal in the form of an extended abstract of approximately three (3) pages prepared in APA style, 5th edition. Proposals should include (a) a discussion of the specific focus of Spike Lee along with a compelling rationale for this focus; (b) the theoretical and methodological frameworks that will be used in critiquing Lee; (c) a preliminary sketch of what claims the author expects to make; (d) A brief author biography. The title page must be submitted as a separate page and should include all contact information (i.e. name, mailing address, email address, telephone number, fax number). Abstract submissions will be peer reviewed.

Authors should propose papers that are accessible and relevant not only to an interdisciplinary audience but also a diverse audience --undergraduates, graduates, researchers, non-specialists.

Authors whose proposals are accepted for inclusion will be invited to submit a full paper of roughly 6,000-8,000 words. Authors of selected proposals will receive a manuscript guideline sheet .

Deadlines:
Proposals due: Dec. 29, 2006
Decision on abstracts: no later than Feb. 2, 2007
Full papers due (for those proposals accepted): May 25, 2007

Potential authors should submit a proposal to: Prof. Janice D. Hamlet, Department of Communication, 1425 W. Lincoln Highway, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115 (jhamlet@niu.edu).

The book proposal is available upon request.