This symposium will take place during the First World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies (WOCMES). It will comprise a series of panels sponsored by the Institute for Gender and Women's Studies, American University in Cairo. Organizers: Dr. Cynthia Nelson (IGWS), Dr. Martina Rieker (IGWS), Dr. Nadje Al-Ali (University of Exeter (UK).

This series of panels and roundtable discussion explore the variegated impact of Gender Studies on the Middle East field. Over the last two decades much scholarly, organizational and political energy has focused on addressing questions of gender at all levels. These panels critically examine both areas in which gendered approaches have animated the Middle East field, and political and academic spaces which continue to isolate such approaches. In addition to assessing the state of the field from scholarly and organizational perspectives, these panels furthermore seek to raise questions and map out productive strategies for gender studies in a region that remains marked by conflict and displacement. Discussions will tackle questions regarding the functions and future directions of Gender Studies - in terms of both institution building and new research agendas - in the current political situation.

Panel 1: Rethinking the Middle East Field: The Problematic Integration of Gender Studies

Panel 2: Locating the Grassroots: Gender and Authenticity in Middle Eastern Politics

Panel 3: Gender and Transnationalism

Panel 4: Gender and Conflict

Roundtable Discussion

Registration modalities: Abstracts (300 - 400 words) must be sent to the Institute for Gender and Women’s Studies (e-mail: igws@aucegypt.edu) AND to WOCMES Secretariat not later than 15 December 2001. For further information see WOCMES-website at www.wocmes.de Please use the online registration form. For further information about the Institute for Gender and Women’s Studies see: www.aucegypt.edu/igws