Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Graduate History Program

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jerome Handler, is a well-known historian of Caribbean slavery, who works for the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. He will be presenting a slide-illustrated overview of fourteen known autobiographical accounts available in English by persons born in Africa who were enslaved in the British Caribbean and mainland colonies during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The talk will focus on what theses accounts relate about their authors’ lives in Africa how they were enslaved, and their experiences during the so-called “middle passage.”

Saturday Luncheon: Speaker and Topic to be announced

The conference committee encourages proposals from M.A./Phd.D. students, junior faculty, and advanced undergraduate students, whose research exhibits innovative historical perspectives or methodology.

1. Submit a 250-word abstract which discusses the paper’s thesis and sources and conclusions by January 22, 2000, to the address below. Include a brief biographical statement with academic status (undergraduate must list faculty advisor), return address, and e-mail address if available. If your paper is selected, you will be notified immediately.
2. Completed papers must be received by February 5, 2000, along with a registration fee of $15.00. Conference presentations must not exceed twenty minutes.
3. An additional fee will be required for the Saturday luncheon.
4. Include requests for audio-visual equipment with the proposal. Lodging information will also be available upon request; please specify if special accommodations are needed.