CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR ACASA-SPONSORED PANELS
ASA 56th Annual Meeting
Philadelphia
November 29-December 2, 2012
DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1, 2012
ADDRESS: Send proposals electronically to Steven Nelson, ACASA President nelsons@humnet.ucla.edu
Conference Theme: “Research Frontiers in the Study of Africa”
ACASA sponsors two panels at ASA’s annual meeting. We invite proposals for panels in all areas of the study of the arts of Africa, and we welcome submissions from professionals and scholars at all stages of their careers. Proposals are particularly encouraged that focus on this year’s theme of “Research Frontiers in the Study of Africa,” which is expanded upon below:
Studying Africa often comes with an acute consciousness of challenges both in the societies we study and in the immediate institutional contexts in which we do our work. That consciousness is justified, but it often consigns us to only muted joys when we in fact ought to allow ourselves more. Africa continues to be compelling as both subject and object of knowledge, thanks to the composite of the profound transformations currently going on, the immense creativity of the people, and the innumerable challenges of diverse local and global origins that frame those developments. This dynamism has tasked and frayed our theories, not because the continent is strange or abnormal but because our theories and methods could be much more supple, more vibrant, and more educated. This situation calls for thinking at the limits, at the frontiers, and beyond, and here are some questions to start with: Where are the research frontiers in our different fields today? Which frontiers have only just been opened and will soon emerge as major research fields? What is a research frontier and under what academic, funding, social, and political contexts is it created? How are research frontiers consolidated, made hegemonic or subordinate, and disarticulated? By which means are we advancing the frontiers in developing our methods of data collection and analysis? How do we work, and thrive, at the frontier at a time of diminishing resources? Let us collectively begin to explore these issues and many more at the 2012 ASA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.
REQUIREMENTS:
A panel typically has a chair, three or four paper presenters, and a discussant. A panel proposal consists of the panel title, the panel abstract, and titles and abstracts for each paper presenter, including their contact information (institutional affiliation, email address, telephone number, and address). The panel abstract should consist of a statement about the topic and a brief summary of the main argument(s) to be explored (no more than 250 words). The quality of the panel abstracts is the main criterion for acceptance; a panel with a weak abstract or with two or more weak paper abstracts is unlikely to be accepted.
Please note that all participants on a panel must be members of BOTH ACASA and ASA. For those panels accepted by ACASA, panelists must be preregistered for the annual meeting before the panel proposal can be submitted, including the panel chair and discussant.
AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT:
Due to the rapidly increasing costs charged by hotels for AV equipment, the ASA is unable to provide projection or sound equipment. However, each meeting room will have a screen and presenters are welcome to bring their own equipment. The ASA understands the importance of AV support for many presenters and the Association is working to develop strategies to facilitate AV support for future conferences.
ACRAH 