Saturday, April 3, 2004
Indiana Memorial Union, Indiana University, Bloomington

The Indiana University History Graduate Student Association (HGSA) invites proposals from graduate students and advanced undergraduates in history and related fields for its annual interdisciplinary history conference.

CONFERENCE THEME

American historian William Appleman Williams wrote of “Empire as a way of life.” While his was concern for the American historical experience at home and abroad, the effects of empire continue to ripple through the contemporary world. Border disputes in South Asia, continued violence in Palestine, constructions of identities in Southeastern Europe and Africa, and neo-colonial economic ties remain a fixture of modern life. This year’s theme seeks to interrogate the spaces in which empires are constructed, maintained, resisted, and renegotiated.

The HGSA conference committee invites paper submissions and panel topics related to the themes of empire, borders and resistance. The theme of “Contested Terrains” should be read broadly as the conference committee invites discussions of the spaces in which power is wielded, accommodated, and resisted. We appreciate broad definitions of empire and the imperial project. Moreover, we encourage papers that reconsider the meanings of terrain, borders, empire, resistance, identity, dominance and the subaltern in historical perspective. Papers that offer historical perspective on the roots of today’s contemporary political crises are also appreciated. Given this broad definition of “Contested Terrains” we welcome submissions from all geographic and temporal perspectives.

The HGSA promotes graduate student work in history and historical fields and therefore strongly encourages applications from graduate students at all stages of their degree. We particularly encourage the presentation of works-in-progress, seminar papers, and dissertations.

PROPOSALS: submission guidelines

The deadline for submissions is February 29, 2004.
We welcome paper abstracts of 350 words or less that relate to the conference theme. Participants are also encouraged to submit proposals for panel presentations or roundtable discussions. Please send abstracts and an abbreviated (max. 1 page) CV to the email addresses below (preferably within the body of an email and not as attachments). Further questions and enquiries can also be directed here.

Thanks!

Elizabeth Cafer (ecafer@Indiana.edu) Heather Perry (hrperry@Indiana.edu).