Call for Papers: The Indiana Association of Historians 28th Annual Meeting

Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, Indiana, February 22-23, 2008

Life Stories as History

Historians often have to address the role of the individual in society and biography is the obvious way to examine the issue. But the question of how to treat the individual within the broader context remains a problem for both the historian looking at social change over time and the biographer trying to explain how a person connects to larger
themes. Life stories can be biographies of individuals, but there are also collective biographies that are studies of a group, a community, or a family. Life stories illuminate broader historical themes even as they are themselves understood within the context of history. Exploring how life stories make up history allows us to share the
details of a life lived while also better understanding how the patterns of change and continuity are grounded in the reality of experience.

The Indiana Association of Historians seeks workshop, roundtable, paper, and session proposals for its 28th annual meeting. Historians in all fields of specialty, as well as those working outside the academy, are especially
welcome, as are proposals that vary from the conventional prepared-paper-and-comment format. In keeping with this year's theme, the program committee particularly encourages
the presentation of research exploring life stories, including (but not limited to) biography.

To propose a session or presentation, please send a brief description (maximum 250 words) and one-page c.v. for each presenter, to the IAH Program Committee, c/o James Fuller,
University of Indianapolis (afuller@uindy.edu).

All proposals must be received before December 3, 2007.