Call for Papers: Latin American Studies Center University of Maryland Annual Student Conference

May 1, 2015

In conjunction with the Spring Speaker Series co-hosted by the Latin American Studies Center and the U.S. Latina/o Studies Program at the University of Maryland, the theme for the 2015 Latin American Studies Student Conference will be “Home.” 

Home is a concept that is both personal and political, one that provokes nostalgia and warmth or division and violence.  A home is never simply or purely conceived, but is always constructed through a hybrid of national, racial, political, gendered, and other identities, which are alternately performed according to context.  Home is embodied in practices of hierarchy, defined by space and time, and is composed of both members and exiles.  Diverse understandings of home around the world have power – instinctual and learned – strong enough to inspire compassionate offerings of protection and shelter, as well as unleash horrific genocidal movements. 

The structure of the global economy, well-worn migratory paths, cultural digitalization, and mass and social media have changed our understandings of what and where home is found and how it is expressed.  Dislocation and mobility (of people, labor, capital, language, culture) are facts that call for careful reflection and analysis as we rethink historical context and contemporary meanings.  We invite scholars to consider how the conceptualization of home by particular groups or populations construct notions of racial/ethnic identity, indigeneity, political ideology, land rights, poverty and wealth, citizenship and (un)documented status, nationalism and transnationalism. While the conference has the Americas as its point of departure, we encourage work that makes links between Latin Americans, U.S. Latina/o communities, and people, politics, art, and culture in other parts of the globe.

We invite graduate and upper-level undergraduate students to submit proposals for papers, panels, and roundtables, preferably based on original research.  We also welcome those interested in presenting their research through posters, multi-media, or art and performance.  Proposals should be no longer than 250 words and sent to lasc@umd.edu by March 1, 2015.

Submission should include: working title and abstract, name, institution, department, degree program (BA, MA, PhD), email address and phone number, AV needs, and form of presentation (read paper, poster, multi-media, performance, other).  Any questions may be directed to LASC Director, Dr. Laurie Frederik (Lfred@umd.ed) or LASC conference coordinator, Eben Levey (lasc@umd.edu)