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Call for Papers

February 27th, 2021

University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)

Fourth University of Florida Classics Graduate Student Symposium
Myths and Societies: A Cross-Cultural and Intertemporal Approach

The mythology of different cultures has left a lasting impression on societies across the globe, from the Ancient Greek tragic tradition to 21st-century American superhero movies and brand names. Permeating the world of economics, politics, literature, and entertainment, the enduring quality of mythology hearkens back to the human desire to justify the esoteric and to explain the unknown. In our world of scientific and technological advancements, what place does mythology still hold? We seek to answer that question by gaining insight into the significance of myth in multiple cultures and communities around the world.

We invite papers that explore the relationship between mythology and society throughout the ages as well as the interaction of mythological stories and pressing current affairs, such as the environment, gender relations, diversity and inclusion, immigration, economic disparity, and the effects of worldwide social isolation. We also welcome papers that take a more practical approach in incorporating myth into educational frameworks at all levels. While our focus is on the Ancient Mediterranean, we encourage submissions on mythology from all world cultures.

Topics may include but are not limited to:

  • Comparative or creative interpretations of mythological narratives from antiquity to modernity

  • Textual and visual adaptations of ancient myth in contemporary culture (narratives, film, theater, comics, graphic novels, etc.)

  • The relationship of mythology and history/historiography

  • The role of mythology in religious belief and ritual

  • The use of mythological stories as learning tools/in educational settings

Please submit abstracts of no more than 250 words by September 15th, 2020 by emailing a pdf attachment to gradsymposium@classics.ufl.edu. Please include your name, affiliation, and the title of your abstract in the body of your email. Papers should be no longer than 20 minutes. Selected proceedings will be published by the UF Smathers Libraries Press.

If your abstract is accepted, a draft of your paper should be submitted by February 15th, 2021 and the camera-ready version will be due March 31st, 2021.

Any questions should be addressed to the same email address.

N.B. The Symposium is currently scheduled to be hosted at the University of Florida. However, we will accommodate participants who would prefer to present remotely. If necessary, we are also prepared to host the entire Symposium online.