Hi all, I hope you will be intersted in contributing to it. best, pantelis Call for Papers: Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture (WPCC) Issue 2 (Spring-Summer 2005): The Internet and Alternative Political Practices Aiming to open up a critical dialogue on the Internet and alternative political practices, the second issue of WPCC is welcoming both theoretical and applied contributions. Stimulating this dialogue is the potential of the Internet to transform our notions of citizenship, democracy and political practice. The Internet can also be used as a tool by current social movements and alternative political activists, changing the way people organize and protest around their ideas. It may also foster alternative media practices that redefine our notions of the public sphere, alter social and political identities, and facilitate processes of development and empowerment, particularly for the politically disenfranchised. Therefore, the coming issue of WPCC will be an attempt to address these topics by drawing on research that focuses on the following interrelated questions: „« How is the Internet transforming our notions of democracy, citizenship and the public sphere? „« Has the Internet changed political campaigning, both for electoral and alternative politics? „« Has it influenced political activism, organizing and participation? „« Is it transforming our perceptions of the political? „« How is it used by current social movements, both local and global? „« Does it foster alternative political and media practices? „« Does it affect the development and negotiation of social and political identities? „« Does it empower the grassroots and the local? Applicants may submit abstracts of no more than to 350 words to Anastasia Kavada - [log in to unmask] or Pantelis Vatikiotis ¡V [log in to unmask] The deadline for the submission of abstracts is Monday 22 November. ......................... Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture (WPCC) is a peer-reviewed journal, published twice a year in hard copy and PDF format. WPCC recognises the interdisciplinary nature of the field of Media and Cultural Studies, and therefore deliberately encourages diverse methods, contexts and themes. Particular interests include, but are not limited to, work related to Popular Culture, Media Audiences, Political Economy, Promotional Culture, New Media, Political Communication, Migration and Diasporic Studies. A major goal of the WPCC is to help develop a de-westernised and transcultural sphere that engages both young and established scholars from different parts of the world in a critical debate about the relationship between communication, culture and society in the 21st Century. WPCC invites contributions from all scholars; particularly those at the beginning of their careers. _________________________________________________________________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! http://toolbar.msn.com/