CFP: Northeastern Modern Language Association

CFP: German Romantic Humor across the Disciplines (9/30/2026; NeMLA; Sat March 6 - Tuesday March 9, 2027)

To be held at the 2027 Northeastern Modern Language Association (NeMLA) convention in Newport, Rhode Island.

This panel seeks to bring together scholars of literature, philosophy, history, art history, theology, musicology and/or related humanistic disciplines to discuss how humor shaped, and was shaped by, German Romanticism.

German Romantics used comedy, parody, satire, transcendental irony, and other humoristic techniques not only to entertain audiences in new ways, but also to provoke political debate, teach, tread new creative ground, and philosophize in ways that balance the sharpness of intellect with the acuity of wit particular to their age. In many ways, while one might consider the Enlightenment the Age of Reason, one might consider Romanticism the Age of Humor, be it dark, bawdy, provocative, seemingly nonsensical, or otherwise.

Building on the influence of the newly launched Routledge book series, “Humor in Literature and Culture,” edited by Shun-Liang Chao and Vivienne Westbrook, this panel takes a thoroughly interdisciplinary approach to humor, capitalizing on the ways that this concept in its broadest sense can bring together works from a variety of literary genres, as well as other media and art forms growing in popularity in German-speaking lands in the first half of the nineteenth century.

Potential topics might include, but are not limited to:

-              New readings of canonical or less canonical comedic literary or poetic works. 

-              Analyses of operas, Lieder, folksongs, or other musical pieces that use humorous elements to attain particular impact.

-              Considerations of humoristic techniques, characters, and commentaries.

-              Comparative contributions that juxtapose German Romantic humor with that of other national cultures or historical periods.

-              Discussions of the effectiveness of various humoristic techniques across genres and media.

Panel will take place in-person but abstracts from presenters who need to present remotely will be considered. Submissions must note whether the speaker is able to present in-person.

Please submit abstracts of 150-300 words, including the submitter’s biographical information through the NeMLA website: https://cfplist.com/nemla/Home/S/22400

Submission deadline: September 30, 2026

For inquiries about the panel, contact:

Pascale LaFountain, Associate Professor of German and French, Montclair State University ([email protected])