Submitted by wendi Manuel-Scott on Apr 20, 2009-11:18am
CFP: African Identity in the Age of Obama
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CALL FOR PROPOSALS
First African and African American Studies Conference
?African Identities in the Age of Obama?
October 8-10, 2009
Proposal Deadline: June 1, 2009
George Mason University
George Johnson Center
Conference Chair: Wendi N. Manuel-Scott, wmanuels@gmu.edu
On 20 January 2009, the first African-Americancitizen, Barack Hussein Obama, was sworn in as the President of the UnitedStates of America. His inauguration as the 44th president reminds us that beliefsabout persons of African ancestry based on their phenotypical appearance areprecarious at best. We should not assume, for example, that the ?black? skin ofthe newly elected leader of the United States signifies a descendant of anAmerican slave. Instead, President Obama?s rise to power alerts us, onceagain, to the complexity of African identities in the modern era, particularlynow that the 21st century is being heralded as the ?post race? era.While African Americans, African immigrants, Caribbean immigrants, Afro-Latinoimmigrants, and Afro-European immigrants may have ?black?skin, their cultural perspectives, historical experiences, and evolvingidentities should suggest different conceptions of Africanness.?
To provide a critical forum for the continuedexamination of African identities, the African and African American Studies(AAAS) Program at George Mason University (GMU) proposes a multidisciplinaryconference titled ?African identities in the Age of Obama.? This internationalmeeting of scholars and students will be held on October 8-10, 2009, on themain GMU campus in Fairfax, Virginia. The objective of this conference is tocreate opportunities to explore the complex ways in which African identitiesare constructed, expressed and represented. AAAS seeks a broad range of papersrepresenting diverse methodological approaches. Papers from scholars in thefields of African, African American and African diaspora studies areencouraged. Contributions that engage critically with notions of Africanidentity in the age of Obama are especially welcome.
The deadline for proposalsubmissions is June 1, 2009. Send proposals (plain text, Word, RTF or PDF) orinquiries to either
Wendi Manuel-Scott
Conference Chair
Email: wmanuels@gmu.edu
Or
?
Mika'il A. Petin
Associate Director ? Africanand African American Studies
(703) 993-4080/(703)993-4085
mpetin@gmu.edu
GeneralProposal Guidelines:
1. Completed ProposalCoversheet Form
2. Paper Title
3. Abstract - This briefdescription of the paper should not exceed 500 words
4. Biographical paragraph -Not to exceed 200 words
5.Mailing and e-mailaddresses
6.Please indicate audiovisual or equipment needs, if any
ProposalReview Procedure:
The Program Committee,chaired by Dr. Benedict Carton, is charged with reviewing proposals submittedwithin the stated guidelines. Proposals representing the conference theme willreceive priority consideration. The proposal abstract must reflect a highquality of scholarship and originality. A list of sources and a concise topicalstatement and primary argument areintegral to a strong proposal.
Proposals will be reviewedand ranked by the Program Committee. The committee will seek to insure arepresentation of the diverse geographic and methodological approaches, thus, abroad range of papers will be considered.
Presenters and panels will benotified by July 1, 2009 and asked to confirm their participation within five(5) business days. A letter withadditional logistics will be sent by September 10, 2009.
__________________
PROPOSAL COVER SHEET
George Mason University
African and African AmericanStudies Conference
African Identities in theAge of Obama
October 8 - 10, 2009
Proposals should include the cover sheet, proposal, and a biographical paragraph (foreach presenter). Please submit allmaterials in one packet or e-mail. Please review the General ProposalGuidelines to ensure all materials meet the requirements. Proposal Deadline:June 1, 2009
Panel or Paper Title:_________________________________________________________________________
Contact Name:__________________________________________E-mail:______________________________
Equipment Needs:Please checkall that apply for all members of panels.
____Screen ____OverheadProjector ____DVD/TV ____LCDProjector (supplies may be
Limited)
____Flip Chart/white board
Please check one: ____Panel(up to 4 presenters including moderator) ____Individual
Chair/Presenter'sName:______________________________________________________________________
Institution/Affliation:__________________________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________________________
City:_____________________________________ State:____________ ZIP__________ Country:___________
Phone: Office ________________ Home ________________Cell_______________FAX: _________________
E-mail:_____________________________________________________________________________________
If proposing a panel, please provide the followinginformation for the additional presenters.
Moderator/Panelist:_________________________________________________________________________
Institution/Affliation:__________________________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________________________
City:_____________________________________ State:____________ ZIP__________ Country:___________
Phone: Office ________________ Home ________________Cell_______________FAX: _________________
E-mail:_____________________________________________________________________________________
Panelist:____________________________________________________________
Institution/Affliation:__________________________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________________________
City:_____________________________________ State:____________ ZIP__________ Country:___________
Phone: Office ________________ Home ________________Cell_______________FAX: _________________
E-mail:_____________________________________________________________________________________
Panelist:___________________________________________________________________________________
Institution/Affliation:__________________________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________________________
City:_____________________________________ State:____________ ZIP__________ Country:___________
Phone: Office ________________ Home ________________Cell_______________FAX: _________________
E-mail:_____________________________________________________________________________________
The deadline for proposalsubmissions is June 1, 2009. Send proposals (plain text, Word, RTF or PDF) orinquiries to either :
Wendi Manuel-Scott
Conference Chair
Email: wmanuels@gmu.edu
Or
Mika'il A. Petin
Associate Director ? Africanand African American Studies
(703) 993-4080/(703) 993-4085
mpetin@gmu.edu