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Cultural Studies and the PopularAmerican University of Paris, 1-2 July 2011Throughout  its history, Cultural Studies has maintained an uneasy relationship  with the concept of the 'popular.' Seen by many as an  intellectual-political project defined by its engagement with popular  culture, cultural studies has just as frequently sought to differentiate  itself from those who celebrate the power of contemporary media and  culture. Thirty years after the publication of Stuart Hall's seminal  essay 'Notes on Deconstructing the Popular', we are seeking participants  interested in examining the importance of the popular for Cultural  Studies today. While recent years have witnessed the return of populist  political and cultural movements, does the concept of the popular still  serve as a tool for understanding contemporary social struggles? Is the  concept still a useful tool for understanding and engaging with the  intersection between scholarly research and politics or has its  usefulness been eclipsed by other terms that more adequately address a  new conjuncture?Topics of interest may include but are not limited to the following:* Analytical, critical, and political usefulness of “the popular” concept* The popular and digital collaboration* The popular and contemporary conservative or progressive social movements* Social media and “popular democratic cultural force[s]”*The popular and consent*Empirical examples of articulations between popular culture and popular democratic actions*People-power as Regime Change*Networked Populism*Theoretical advances on the popularThis conference will take place on July 1 and 2, 2011 at the American University of Paris in Paris, France. Those interested in participating are asked to submit their name, a short bio and a 400 word abstract for their proposed presentation.We  are also open to alternative forms of presentation, including  roundtables or pre-constituted panels. Please send abstracts to  aupconf@yahoo.comConference organizers: Mark Hayward and Jayson Harsin