CALL FOR PAPERS - MSU Africanist Graduate Student Conference

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CALL FOR PAPERS
Fourth Annual Michigan State University Africanist Graduate Student
Conference:Emerging Perspectives in African Studies

October 8-9, 2010, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
The fourth annual Africanist graduate student research conference at
Michigan State University will focus on thetheme, "Emerging
Perspectives in African Studies." This theme is meant to inspire
graduate students focusing on African Studies, to explore new
methodological, theoretical and topical directions among their peers
and future colleagues. By doing so at MSU, one of the nation's first
African
Studies centers, the organizers hope graduate students will
acknowledge their debt to those who have gone before them even as they
work toward developing new perspectives in African studies. The
purpose of the conference is to provide an opportunity for graduate
students to discuss their research, receive constructive feedback,
network
with other students and scholars, and sharpen presentation skills in a
comfortable and relaxed environment. Please note that we are
especially seeking papers on Africans in Diaspora (or African
Diasporas) in order to prepare students who will present at the 2010
African Studies Association (ASA) Annual Meeting, "African Diaspora
and Diasporas in Africa."

The conference is interdisciplinary and open to students at all levels
of their graduate careers. The organizing committee invites papers
from historical, political, sociological, anthropological, educational
and literary perspectives. Students conducting research in the natural
sciences, health, gender, and the arts are also highly encouraged to
participate. Submissions may include research proposals, research
designs, dissertation or thesis chapters, methodological models, work
in
progress, outlines of dissertations, and preliminary research
findings.

Beginning this year, we are also looking for experienced graduate
students to serve as discussants for the panels. Interested
discussants should be ABD and have research experience in Africa.

Abstracts Due: August 1, 2010
Email submissions and questions to:msu...@msu.edu

Abstracts should include the author's name, address, institutional
affiliation, email address, and phone number. In 300 words or less,
provide a clearly identifiable thesis, information on methods and/or
sources used, and describe the significance of the research to your
field. Please also identify three key words. A $20 conference fee can
be paid online through the conference website upon acceptance.
Interested discussants should send a curriculum vitae that includes
areas of specialization. There is no conference fee for discussants.
Students may also consider submitting a panel proposal, including an
abstract for the panel and an abstract for each paper presenter. The
panel abstract should include a statement about the panel topic and a
brief summary of the arguments to be explored by contributing papers.

If you wish to be considered for a travel award, please submit your
abstract by July 15, 2010. Please also explore other funding options
upon submission. International students requiring letters of
invitation and sufficient time to secure funding and visas should also
submit early. Because of the short time frame between abstract
submission and conference date, we will require attendance
confirmation by
September 1, 2010. Accepted papers should be submitted by September
13,
2010 to allow discussants ample preparation time.

More information can be found at the Conference's website
(http://africa.msu.edu/gradconference) or you can join our Facebook
group: MSU Africanist Graduate Student Conference.