Place: Connections and Dislocations in Asia
November 4th and 5th, 2011
Arizona State University Memorial Union

Sometimes described as a supercontinent, Asia is extremely diverse geographically, culturally, politically, and historically. Places, both real and imagined, are not only the backgrounds for nationalism, regionalism, and localism, they are often the catalysts for cultural change and historical confrontation. Places provide the basis for connections among people and can construct ties that allow society to thrive, but places are also contested territories that can contribute to disempowerment and conflict.

The 4th Annual Arizona State University Graduate Conference on Asian Studies seeks papers which address the issue of place as it relates to all fields of Asian Studies. Among suggested topics are papers that address historical, geographical, religious, cultural, and political issues relating to place. Papers may also engage the theme of place on any level, from the most particular instance of a building or monument, to issues of transnationalism and multiregionalism. Submissions from places, societies, and groups which have traditionally received little attention in academia are welcomed, as are novel approaches, methodologies, and theoretical standpoints.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

Texts and identity
Resources (human,textual, and natural) and their impact on people and societies
Popular media and knowledge production

Interested graduate students currently enrolled in Masters or Doctoral programs are welcome to submit proposals. Please send a 200 word abstract including your name, institution, and degree program to Tim Swanger. Submissions are due by September 21, 2011.