Forwarded from David Newman, Ben Gurion University, Israel....
____________________________________________
Dr. Duncan Fuller
Division of Geography and Environmental Management
Lipman Building
University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
UK
Tel (Direct): (0191) 2273753
Mobile: 07946 401359
Tel (Division Office): (0191) 2273951
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Newman [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 24 September 2001 14:27
> To: duncan.fuller
> Subject: Territory workshop: Late call for papers
>
>
> I am organising a workshop on the subject of Territory and Territoriality
> in the Middle east. After the inital call for papers, we chose 12-14
> participants, most of whom are not geographers. We are interested in
> adding a further 2-3 participants (at the most), especially those who have
> something to say about the cultural / political notions of territory from
> the perspective if Islamic culture and religion.
>
> I am enclosing the original call for papers and would be very grateful if
> you could circulate this on your cultural geography email list or home
> page. If there are any last minute proposals, i could consider them up to
> the 10th october (although this is a very final deadline as we are already
> into the technical side of arrangements).
>
> thankyou for any help in this matter.
>
> Professor David newman
>
>
>
>
>
> CALL FOR PAPERS:
>
> The Herzog Center for Middle East Studies and Diplomacy
> (Ben Gurion University, Israel)
>
> The International Journal, Geopolitics
>
> with the support of:
> The Mediterranean Programme of the Robert Schuman
> Centre for Advanced Studies
> of the European University Institute in Florence
>
>
> invites scholars to submit proposals for a three day workshop on the topic
> of:
>
> SYMBOLIC AND PRACTICAL DIMENSIONS OF THE TERRITORIAL DISCOURSE
> IN THE MIDDLE EAST: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
>
> to be held at the:
> European University Institute Florence, December 16-19th, 2001.
>
> The object of the workshop is to establish a network of scholars who will
> examine notions of territory as they relate to the Middle East. Drawing on
> the cultural and political definitions of territory as they are commonly
> expressed as part of the western geographical discourse, the aim of the
> workshop will be to examine the existence of contending or simply
> different definitions in a region which has experienced different cultural
> and political influences. Particular focus will be given to the symbolic
> dimensions of territory, as expressed through religious and cultural
> attachment to place and space, as well as the political and tangible
> dimensions of territory which are normally expressed through territorial
> compartmentalization and the modern State system.
>
> The impact of globalization has resulted in a rethinking of many of the
> western paradigms relating to the territorial dimension in social and
> political analysis. In particular, notions of territorial fixation and
> State boundaries are being questioned as the normative framework for
> understanding the functioning and sovereignty of the modern State.
> European notions of the territorial - Westphalian - nation State, which
> were exported to other cultural regions, such as Asia and Africa, as part
> of the colonial and imperial enterprises are now being brought into
> question within the European heartland itself. In regions, such as the
> Middle East, where such notions were forcefully superimposed upon local
> cultures or otherwise fused with local understandings of such concepts, it
> is not clear to what extent the so-called impact of globalization and
> "boundary openings" is relevant to contemporary political discourse.
>
> The objective of the first workshop will be to determine the main themes
> to be analysed in greater depth in future meetings. Territory will be
> examined from both the concrete/tangible and symbolic/ abstract dimensions
> as it relates to both European/Christian and Middle Eastern/Islamic
> political traditions. This requires bringing together 8-10 scholars from
> the wider field of critical geopolitics, cultyral studies and historical
> geography, some of whom will deal with the wider issues relating to the
> influence of culture and religion on territorial politics, others dealing
> specifically with the influence - past and present - of various Islamic
> value systems on notions of territory and the way that this is translated
> into contemporary political discourse of both States and individuals.
>
> The project coordinator is Professor David Newman of the Department of
> Politics and Government at Ben Gurion University in Israel, and editor of
> the journal, Geopolitics, in which papers presented at the workshop will
> be peer reviewed and prepared for publication.
>
> The workshop will open with a keynote lecture dealing with the influence
> of culture and religion on the political dimensions of territory.
>
> Other sessions would deal with the following topics:
>
> - Space and Place in Islamic, Christian and Jewish traditions.
>
> - Political territory and the State in the Middle East
>
> - Boundaries and their imposition in non-European cultures
>
> - The impact of globalization on Boundaries and Territory in the Middle
> East.
>
> Each session will last for a full three hours and will have two in depth
> presentations and ample time for discussion.
>
> At the end of the workshop, specific research agendas will be drawn up for
> each of the four topics, with an aim at creating a network of scholars who
> will explore these issues in greater detail over the subsequent two year
> period.
>
> The first workshop will be held on 16-19 December 2001, at the European
> University Institute in Florence. Interested participants should submit a
> one page abstract of their proposed paper, together with a short version
> of their CV, no later than 10th October 2001 (THIS IS A LATE APPLICATION
> DATE AND IS ABSOLUTELY FINAL). Applications can be sent via email (in RTF
> or WORD format) to the following email address:
>
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>.
>
> In the subject line of the message, applicants should write: Territory
> Workshop Application: Name of applicant
>
> Succesfull participants will be notified by the beginning of August 2001,
> and they will be expected to supply full versions of their presentation by
> the beginning of November 2001. Participants will have their return air
> fare (economy class) covered, as well as three nights accomodation in
> Florence, and meals during the period of the workshop.
>
> No honorariums will be paid for papers, but there will be a written
> commitment by participants to prepare full manuscripts for possible
> publication in Geopolitics, subbject to normal review procedures.
>
>
>
>
>
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