“Imagined Communities, Real Conflicts, and National Identities”

“Imagined Communities, Real Conflicts, and National Identities”

14th Annual World Convention of the
Association for the Study of Nationalities (ASN)

International Affairs Building,
Columbia University, NY
Sponsored by the Harriman Institute
23-25 April 2009
www.nationalities.org

***Proposal deadline: 5 November 2008***

Contact information:
proposals must be submitted to:

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100+ PANELS on the Balkans, Central Europe and the Baltics, Russia,
Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Central Asia and Eurasia, the Caucasus,
Turkey, Afghanistan, China and surrounding territories

SPECIAL SECTIONS on
Theoretical Approaches to Nationalism and Empire
The Independence of Kosovo and Its Implications
The War in Georgia and Its Implications

THEMATIC Panels on
Islam and Politics, Genocide and Ethnic Violence, Anthropology of
Identity, Citizenship and Nationality, Religion, Language Politics,
Conflict Resolution, Autonomy, Gender, EU Integration, NATO
Expansion,
Diaspora Politics, International Law, and many more…

AWARDS for Best Doctoral Student Papers

SCREENING of Recent Films and Documentaries

The ASN Convention, the most attended international and inter-
disciplinary scholarly gathering of its kind, welcomes proposals on a
wide range of topics related to national identity, nationalism,
ethnic conflict, state-building and the study of empires in
Central/Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, the Balkans,
Eurasia, and adjacent areas. Disciplines represented include
political science, history, anthropology, sociology, international
studies, security studies, economics, geography and geopolitics,
sociolinguistics, psychology, and related fields.

The Convention also features a section devoted to theoretical
approaches to nationalism, from any of the disciplines listed above.
The papers in this section need not be grounded in an area of the
former Communist bloc usually covered by ASN, provided that the
issues examined are relevant to a truly comparative understanding of
nationalism-related issues. In this vein, we are welcoming theory-
focused and comparative proposals, rather than specific case studies
from outside Central/Eastern Europe and Eurasia. A dozen panels are
normally featured in the Nationalism section.

In the wake of the dramatic events that have unfolded in late summer
2008, the Convention will also present a special section on “The War
in Georgia and its Implications.” The Convention is inviting paper,
panel, roundtable, or special presentation proposals on various
aspects of the conflict, as it relates to Georgia, the South
Caucasus, the North Caucasus, Ukraine, the “frozen” conflicts,
Russian nationalism, Russophone minorities in the “near abroad”,
domestic politics, the Fate of the “Coloured” Revolutions, NATO
enlargement, US-Europe-Russia relations, the European Union and
related topics. A special section will also be devoted to “The
Independence of Kosovo and its Implications,” with emphasis on
Balkans post-war reconstruction, international law, self-
determination, ethnic conflicts, minority rights, regional security
and so forth.

Since 2005, the ASN Convention has acknowledged excellence in
graduate studies research by offering Awards for Best Doctoral
Student Papers in five sections: Russia/Ukraine/Caucasus, Central
Asia/Eurasia, Central Europe, Balkans, and Nationalism Studies. The
winners at the 2008 Convention were Jesse Driscoll (Stanford U,
Political Science) for Russia/Ukraine/Caucasus, Sarah Cameron
(History, Yale U) and Kristin Fabbe (Political Science, MIT, US) for
Central Asia/Eurasia/Turkey, Helena Toth (Harvard U, History) for
Central Europe, Valentina Burrai (UC London, UK, Political Science)
for the Balkans, and Lee Seymour (Northwestern U, Political Science)
for Nationalism Studies. Doctoral student applicants whose proposals
are accepted for the 2009 Convention, who have not defended their
dissertation by 1 November 2008, and whose papers are delivered by
the deadline, will automatically be considered for the awards.

The 2009 Convention is also inviting submissions for documentaries or
feature films made within the past few years and available in DVD
format (either NTSC or PAL). Most films selected for the convention
will be screened during regular panel slots and will be followed by a
discussion moderated by an academic expert. Films on the 2008 Program
included Milosevic On Trial (Denmark, 2007), Nanking (US, 2007),
Around Mostar, the Bridge and Bruce Lee (Italy, 2007), Yippee (US,
2007) and The More You Speak, The More You Cry (Greece, 2007).

The 2009 Convention invites proposals for INDIVIDUAL PAPERS or
PANELS. A panel includes a chair, three presentations based on
written papers, and a discussant. Proposals using an innovative
format are encouraged. Examples of new formats include a roundtable
on a new book, in which the author is being engaged by three
discussants (twelve book panels were featured in the 2008
Convention); a debate between two panelists over a critical research
or policy question, following rules of public debating; or special
presentations based on original papers where the number of
discussants is equal to or greater than the number of presenters.

The 2008 Convention is also welcoming offers to serve as DISCUSSANT
on a panel to be created by the program committee from individual
paper proposals. The application to be considered as discussant can
be self-standing, or accompanied by an individual paper proposal.

There is NO APPLICATION FORM to fill out in order to send proposals
to the convention, BUT A FACT SHEET IS REQUIRED; TO BE DOWNLOADED AT
www.nationalities.org. All proposals and fact sheets must be sent by
email to Dominique Arel at both 
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INDIVIDUAL PAPER PROPOSALS must include the name, email and
affiliation of the author, a postal address for paper mail, the title
of the paper, a 500-word abstract and a 100-word biographical
statement that includes full references of your last or forthcoming
publication, if applicable. Long CVs will be rejected, as the bio
statement must be sent in narrative form, like a long paragraph.
Graduate students must indicate the title of their dissertation and
year of projected defense. They can also submit bibliographic
information of a recent or forthcoming publication.

PANEL PROPOSALS must include the title of the panel, a chair, three
paper-givers with the title of their papers, and a discussant; the
name, affiliation, email, postal address and 100-word biographical
statements of each participant and include full references of their
last or forthcoming publication, if applicable. Graduate students
must indicate the title of their dissertation, the year they join a
doctoral program and year of projected defense. A 500-word abstract
of each paper is not required for panel proposals.

PROPOSALS FOR FILMS OR VIDEOS must include the name, email and
affiliation of the author, a postal address for hard (paper mail),
the title of the film, name of director, country and year of
production, a 500-word abstract of the theme of the film and a 100-
word biographical statement.

PROPOSALS USING AN INNOVATIVE FORMAT must include the title of the
panel, the names, emails, affiliations, postal addresses, 100-word
biographical statements of each participant (same specifications as
above) and a discussion on the proposed format.

INDIVIDUAL PROPOSALS TO SERVE AS DISCUSSANT must include the name,
email, affiliation, postal address, a paragraph about the areas of
expertise of the proposed discussant, and a 100-word biographical
statement (same specifications as above).

All proposals must be included IN THE BODY OF A SINGLE EMAIL, except
for the FACT SHEET that must be attached. Attachments other than the
Fact Sheet will be accepted only if they repeat the content of the
email message/proposal, and if all the information is contained IN A
SINGLE ATTACHMENT. The reception of all proposals will be
acknowledged electronically (with some delay during deadline week,
due to the high volume of proposals).

Participants are responsible for covering all travel and
accommodation costs. Unfortunately, ASN has no funding available for
panelists.

An international Program Committee will be entrusted with the
selection of proposals. Applicants will be notified in December 2008
or January 2009. Information regarding registration costs and other
logistical questions will be communicated afterwards.

The full list of panels from last year’s convention can be accessed
at
http://www.nationalities.org/convention/pdfs/ASN_2008_final_program.p
df

The film lineup of last year’s convention can be accessed at
http://www.nationalities.org/convention/films.asp

The programs from past conventions, going back to 2001, are also
online at
http://www.nationalities.org/convention/past.asp

Several dozen publishers and companies have had exhibits and/or
advertised in the Convention Program in past years. Due to
considerations of space, advertisers and exhibitors are encouraged to
place their order early. For information, please contact Convention
Executive Director Gordon N. Bardos (
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We look forward to receiving your proposal!

The Convention organizing committee:
Dominique Arel, ASN President
Gordon N. Bardos, Executive Director
David Crowe, ASN Chair of Advisory Board
Sherrill Stroschein, Program Chair

Deadline for proposals: 5 November 2008 (to be sent to both

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The ASN convention’s headquarters are located at the:

Harriman Institute
Columbia University
1216 IAB
420 W. 118th St.
New York, NY 10027
212 854 8487 tel
212 666 3481 fax

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