November 3, 2012
University of South Carolina at Aiken

We invite papers for the first “Palmetto Connections Symposium,” a regional symposium focusing on South Carolina and its links to the rest of the world hosted by the Department of History, Politics and Philosophy of the University of South Carolina, Aiken. The symposium, marking the fifty-first anniversary of the department, will look broadly at issues of representation and immigration in South Carolina, with a keynote address by Dr. Peter H. Wood, who will deliver a lecture on “The election of 1864: the Most Significant Election in American History.” We hope to draw papers from diverse fields in the humanities and social sciences related to this theme, and welcome broad interpretations of these terms. Contributions might address historical or contemporary contexts, literary or artistic “representations,” immigration issues past or present, or representation in relation to franchise and political participation. It is our hope to provide a forum for scholars throughout the region and beyond. We welcome participation from faculty and graduate students. Participants will also have the opportunity to submit their revised papers for inclusion in a peer-reviewed publication of the symposium proceedings.

Those interested in presenting should send a 300 word proposal along with a brief biography and current contact information, to heatherp@usca.edu by September 15, 2012. Participants will be notified of accepted proposals by October, 2012. Papers selected for publication will need to be resubmitted by January 06, 2013.

Participants, as well anyone interesting in attending, may then download a registration form from the Symposium webpage and return it along with a check for $15, a registration fee that will include lunch.