CFP: African Identity in the Age of Obama

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

First African and African American Studies Conference

?African Identities in the Age of Obama?

October 8-10, 2009

Proposal Deadline: June 1, 2009

George Mason University

George Johnson Center

Conference Chair: Wendi N. Manuel-Scott, wmanuels@gmu.edu

On 20 January 2009, the first African-Americancitizen, Barack Hussein Obama, was sworn in as the President of the UnitedStates of America. His inauguration as the 44th president reminds us that beliefsabout persons of African ancestry based on their phenotypical appearance areprecarious at best. We should not assume, for example, that the ?black? skin ofthe newly elected leader of the United States signifies a descendant of anAmerican slave.  Instead, President Obama?s rise to power alerts us, onceagain, to the complexity of African identities in the modern era, particularlynow that the 21^st century is being heralded as the ?post race? era.While African Americans, African immigrants, Caribbean immigrants, Afro-Latinoimmigrants, and Afro-European immigrants may have ?black?skin, their cultural perspectives, historical experiences, and evolvingidentities should suggest different conceptions of Africanness.?

To provide a critical forum for the continuedexamination of African identities, the African and African American Studies(AAAS) Program at George Mason University (GMU) proposes a multidisciplinaryconference titled ?African identities in the Age of Obama.? This internationalmeeting of scholars and students will be held on October 8-10, 2009, on themain GMU campus in Fairfax, Virginia. The objective of this conference is tocreate opportunities to explore the complex ways in which African identitiesare constructed, expressed and represented. AAAS seeks a broad range of papersrepresenting diverse methodological approaches. Papers from scholars in thefields of African, African American and African diaspora studies areencouraged. Contributions that engage critically with notions of Africanidentity in the age of Obama are especially welcome.  

The deadline for proposalsubmissions is June 1, 2009. Send proposals (plain text, Word, RTF or PDF) orinquiries to either

Wendi Manuel-Scott

Conference Chair

Email:  wmanuels@gmu.edu

Or

 ?

Mika'il A. Petin

Associate Director ? Africanand African American Studies

(703) 993-4080/(703)993-4085

mpetin@gmu.edu

GeneralProposal Guidelines:

1. Completed ProposalCoversheet Form

2. Paper Title

3. Abstract - This briefdescription of the paper should not exceed 500 words

4. Biographical paragraph -Not to exceed 200 words

5.Mailing and e-mailaddresses

6.Please indicate audiovisual or equipment needs, if any

ProposalReview Procedure:

The Program Committee,chaired by Dr. Benedict Carton, is charged with reviewing proposals submittedwithin the stated guidelines. Proposals representing the conference theme willreceive priority consideration. The proposal abstract must reflect a highquality of scholarship and originality. A list of sources and a concise topicalstatement  and primary argument areintegral to a strong proposal.

Proposals will be reviewedand ranked by the Program Committee. The committee will seek to insure arepresentation of the diverse geographic and methodological approaches, thus, abroad range of papers will be considered.

Presenters and panels will benotified by July 1, 2009 and asked to confirm their participation within five(5) business days.  A letter withadditional logistics will be sent by September 10, 2009.

 __________________

PROPOSAL COVER SHEET

George Mason University

African and African AmericanStudies Conference

African Identities in theAge of Obama

October 8 - 10, 2009

Proposals should include  the cover sheet, proposal, and a biographical paragraph (foreach presenter).  Please submit allmaterials in one packet or e-mail. Please review the General ProposalGuidelines to ensure all materials meet the requirements. Proposal Deadline:June 1, 2009

Panel or Paper Title:_________________________________________________________________________

Contact Name:__________________________________________E-mail:______________________________

Equipment Needs: Please checkall that apply for all members of panels.

____Screen            ____OverheadProjector             ____DVD/TV            ____LCDProjector (supplies may be

                                                                                                       Limited)           

____Flip Chart/white board

Please check one:            ____Panel(up to 4 presenters including moderator)            ____Individual

Chair/Presenter'sName:______________________________________________________________________

Institution/Affliation:__________________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________________________

City:_____________________________________ State:____________ ZIP__________ Country:___________

Phone: Office ________________ Home ________________Cell_______________FAX: _________________

E-mail:_____________________________________________________________________________________

If proposing a panel, please provide the followinginformation for the additional presenters.

Moderator/Panelist:_________________________________________________________________________

Institution/Affliation:__________________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________________________

City:_____________________________________ State:____________ ZIP__________ Country:___________

Phone: Office ________________ Home ________________Cell_______________FAX: _________________

E-mail:_____________________________________________________________________________________

Panelist:____________________________________________________________
Institution/Affliation:__________________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________________________

City:_____________________________________ State:____________ ZIP__________ Country:___________

Phone: Office ________________ Home ________________Cell_______________FAX: _________________

E-mail:_____________________________________________________________________________________

Panelist:___________________________________________________________________________________

Institution/Affliation:__________________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________________________

City:_____________________________________ State:____________ ZIP__________ Country:___________

Phone: Office ________________ Home ________________Cell_______________FAX: _________________

E-mail:_____________________________________________________________________________________

The deadline for proposalsubmissions is June 1, 2009. Send proposals (plain text, Word, RTF or PDF) orinquiries to either :

Wendi Manuel-Scott

Conference Chair

Email:  wmanuels@gmu.edu

Or

Mika'il A. Petin

Associate Director ? Africanand African American Studies

(703) 993-4080/(703) 993-4085

mpetin@gmu.edu