President John F. Kennedy visited Grand Forks, North Dakota on September 25, 1963. He toured the city, greeted its citizens, and spoke at the University of North Dakota, talking about issues that are still vital today. He spoke out for conserving natural resources and protecting the environment. He argued for economic development and addressed the struggle between democracy and totalitarianism. He also emphasized the importance of education and public service. The University granted Kennedy an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Tragically, less than two months later, the 35th President of the United States was assassinated in Dallas.

The University of North Dakota will be hosting an interdisciplinary conference relating to the life and times of John F. Kennedy from September 25 to 27, 2008, in Grand Forks, ND.

We invite proposals for papers that address issues of the "Kennedy years." Topic areas of particular interest for proposals would include, but not need to be limited to, the following:

* Civil Rights, Human Rights, Peace Corps
* Space Exploration
* Cold War, Nuclear Arms, and Arms Control
* Crises: Berlin, Cuba, and Viet Nam
* Women's Rights, Jacqueline Kennedy
* Mass Media and National/Presidential Politics
* Conservation and Environmental Protection
* Education
* The Spirit of Public Service
* Film and Literary Representations

Keynote speakers and scholarly panels will examine these topics through various academic lenses, including history, literature, political science, economics, film, philosophy, law, and the sciences. The conference anticipates publishing a volume of the proceedings.

The conference plans a series of evening plenary sessions, each of them addressed by a notable figure. John F. Kennedy's speechwriter, Theodore Sorensen and U. S. District Court Judge John R. Tunheim, former Chair of the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Review Board, have both accepted an invitation to be a keynote speaker for the conference.

Please send abstracts of 200-250 words for individual papers or 800-1000 words for panel sessions to jfkconference@und.nodak.edu by March 31, 2008.

Proposals should be submitted by e-mail, with the proposal in the message text (do not send attachments).

Please include the following in your submission:

Individual Papers:
Name(s)
Short Biography (200-250 words)
Title of Paper
Abstract (200-250 words)

If you are interested in serving as a chair and/or discussant of a panel session, please contact Professor Kate Scheurer, at jfkconference@und.nodak.edu.

For more information regarding "John F. Kennedy, History, Memory, and Legacy," please contact Professor Gregory S. Gordon, Conference Chair, at jfkconference@und.nodak.edu.

For more information about the John F. Kennedy: History, Memory, and Legacy - An Interdisciplinary Conference at the University of North Dakota, please visit our website at: http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/jfkconference

Note: All participants in the program are required to preregister for the conference.