The Mediterranean Studies Association's 7th annual International Congress, "Catalonia and the Mediterranean" will be held on May 26-29, 2004 at the Universitat de Barcelona. As is the case each year, papers and sessions on all subjects relating to the Mediterranean region and Mediterranean cultures around the world from all periods are encouraged. Following a day of optional excursions the congress will open with a plenary session and reception on the evening of May 26. Over the course of the next days over 150 scholarly papers will be delivered before an international audience of about 250 scholars, academics, and experts in a wide range of fields. Held in the center of Barcelona at the Universitat de Barcelona, the official languages of the congress are Catalan, Spanish, and English. In addition, complete sessions in any Mediterranean language are welcome. A number of special events are being planned for congress participants that will highlight the unique cultural aspects of Barcelona. The congress is sponsored by the Mediterranean Studies Association, the Universitat de Barcelona, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Arizona State University, and the University of Kansas. Selected revised papers will be considered for publication in the Association's journal, Mediterranean Studies.

The Mediterranean Studies Association is an interdisciplinary organization that promotes the scholarly study of Mediterranean cultures in all aspects and disciplines. It is particularly concerned with the ideas and ideals of western Mediterranean cultures from Late Antiquity to the Enlightenment and their influence beyond these geographical and temporal boundaries.

Proposals for papers and sessions are now being solicited. Papers and proposals for sessions are encouraged which focus on the conference theme, but any paper or session proposal with a Mediterranean theme, from any period and any discipline, will be considered. Proposals for roundtable discussions of a topical work or theme are also welcome. The typical panel will include three papers, each lasting twenty minutes, a chair, and (optionally) a commentator. For examples of paper and session topics, and the range of subjects, see the programs from Lisbon (1998), Coimbra (1999), Salvador (2000), Aix-en-Provence (2001), Granada (2002), and Budapest (2003), all available at the MSA website. Proposals should include a 200-word abstract for each paper and a one-page curriculum vitae for each participant, including chairs and commentators. Each participant’s name, e-mail and regular address, and phone number should also be listed. Proposals are now being solicited for the first round of consideration. The deadline for submissions in the first round is December 1, 2003, though proposals will be considered after that date.

NOTE: The MSA regrets that no funding is available to support travel and other costs of participants.

Please send proposals to the address below. For information on the congress or the Association see our website or contact us via email. Applications may also be made on the website.