CALL FOR PAPERS

"Peoples, Nations, and States in Former Communist Countries:
A Cross-Disciplinary Convention"

7th Annual World Convention of the
Association for the Study of Nationalities (ASN)
International Affairs Building
Columbia University
New York, NY
Sponsored by the Harriman Institute
April 11-13, 2002

100 panels on the Balkans, Baltics, Caucasus, central Europe, Central
Asia, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, China, and Mongolia, as well as thematic
panels on nationalism, Islamist movements, conflict resolution,
democratization, demography, language issues, geography, interpretations
of history, ethnicity in film and literature, theoretical approaches to
the nation.


The Annual World Convention of the Association for the Study of
Nationalities (ASN) has become the most attended international scholarly
gathering dealing with issues of national identity, nationalism, ethnic
conflict and state-building in central and eastern Europe, the former
Soviet Union, Central Asia, and adjacent areas. More than a hundred
participants travel from overseas for the event, particularly, but not
exclusively, from western and eastern Europe. Disciplines represented
included political science, history, anthropology, sociology, economics,
geography, and sociolinguistics.

The central theme of the 2002 Convention addresses the complex
interaction of identity, security, and cooperation, in both the past and
the present. Proposals may focus on particular cases, theoretical
questions, or cross-regional comparisons. Papers or panels comparing
cases of the postcommunist world with cases from other regions of the
world are encouraged. Given contemporary trends and events, proposals
dealing with Islamist movements, intercultural contact and exchange, the
Balkans, and Central Asia are particularly welcome. Unlike most
conventions, ASN accepts individual paper proposals, although full panel
proposals have a greater chance of being accepted, due to space
constraints.

The ASN World Convention's yearly theme specifically refers to a core
number of panels. Since the Convention is far larger in scope than a
thematic conference, we invite, as in previous years, proposals on a
wide range of topics related to identity, nationalism, conflict and
state-building in central and eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union,
Central Asia, and adjacent areas.

Themes in previous conventions included Nationalism and Federalism in
the Russian Federation; Ethnic Minorities in Georgia; Ukrainian Foreign
Policy Orientation: East or West?; The Russian-Chechen War(s); Bosnia
after Dayton: Disintegration or Reintegration; Security, Energy, and
Foreign Policy South of Russia; What Is European Identity?; The Kosovo
War; Forced Migrations in the Balkans and the Caucasus; Valery Tishkov
and the Anthropology of Russia; Approaches to the Prevention of Ethnic
Conflict and many more. The ASN website (www.nationalities.org) contains
a complete list of the 2001 panels.

Videos/Films. The 2001 Convention was enhanced by the highly successful
screening of short videos (10-15 minutes), accompanying presentations in
regular panels, as well as medium- and full-length documentaries or
feature films in video format, shown as special screenings followed by a
general discussion. The documentaries "A Trial in Prague," on the 1953
show trial, and "War in the Land of the Mujaheddin," on Afghanistan,
were some of the highlights of the 2000 Program. For 2002, proposals
partly or entirely revolving around video, film, or audio-visual
material (including slides and PowerPoint presentations) are strongly
encouraged. As a rule, the convention intends to show video or film
material produced within the past year or two. Throughout the
convention, one or two of the convention meeting rooms will be
exclusively devoted to the screening of video material. All suggestions
and proposals should be sent to the Chair of the Video/Film Section,
Dominique Arel ([log in to unmask]).

Location. The Convention will be held at the Harriman Institute at
Columbia University, New York (address below).

Schedule. The convention will begin on Thursday, April 11, at 1 PM, and
end on Saturday, April 13, in early evening. No panels will be held on
Sunday, and the dates do not coincide with the Jewish and Christian
religious holidays.

Panel/Roundtable Proposals. There is no particular application form to
fill out. The vast majority of proposals were e-mailed to the Program
Chair last year, but proposals sent by fax or regular mail are also
accepted. For instructions on the proposals, see the "Application
Information" below. All proposals must be sent to the Dr. Troy McGrath,
ASN Convention Program Chair, Arnold Hall, Box 76, Hatwick College,
Oneonta, NY 13820, email: [log in to unmask]

Registration. Registration fees are $40 for ASN members, $60 for
non-members ($30 for east European non-members) and $25 for students.
All panel participants have to pre-register by March 15, 2002. Non-panel
participants are also urged to pre-register early. Please note that the
Convention will be unable to refund preregisterees after March 15, 2002.
Pre-registration by panel participants and attendees can be done
electronically, by fax, or by regular mail. A registration form may be
downloaded from our ASN web page or may be requested from Gordon Bardos
([log in to unmask]).

Funding. Participants are responsible for seeking their own funds to
cover all travel and accommodation costs. ASN is unfortunately unable to
assist participants financially, including applicants from central and
eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Central Asia.

Accommodation. The Convention does not have particular arrangements with
hotels. Our ASN website, however, provides a list of several hotels, in
various price ranges. Participants and attendees are strongly encouraged
to reserve as early as possible.

Advertisements/Exhibitors. Several dozen publishers and companies 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 the Gordon
Bardos ([log in to unmask]).

Convention Papers. The convention papers will be available for sale at
the Convention for $1.50 apiece. That policy has proven a huge success
in the past.

Website. Our website (www.nationalities.org) provides continuously
updated information on the ASN World Convention.

Membership Subscription to ASN. A yearly membership to ASN is $55 ($30
for students). Members receive the journal Nationalities Papers
quarterly, the periodical Analysis of Current Events (ACE) quarterly,
and the newsletter ASNews twice per year, as well as a registration
discount at the ASN Annual World Convention. Since 1999, ASN Members
also have the option of subscribing to Europe-Asia Studies at the
cut-rate of $55 yearly. A membership form can be downloaded from our ASN
web page (www.nationalities.org), or be requested from Gordon Bardos
([log in to unmask])

We look forward to seeing you at the convention!

Troy McGrath, Program Chair

Application Information

ASN is accepting proposals for panels, roundtables, or individual
papers. There is no particular form to fill out. Proposals can be
emailed (preferably), faxed or mailed to the Program Chair (address
below).

All proposals must be included IN THE BODY OF A SINGLE EMAIL.
Attachments will be accepted only if they repeat the content of an email
message/proposal. Proposals and CVs exceeding the word limit (see below)
will be returned to the sender

Proposals for panels with presentations based on papers must include:

-a chair, no more than three paper-givers and a discussant
-the title of the panel, as well as the title for each of the papers
-the affiliation, postal address, telephone, fax, and email (very
important) of all participants
-a one-paragraph biographical statement of each participant

Proposals for roundtables must include:

-a chair and no more than four presenters
-the title of the roundtable
-the affiliation, postal address, telephone, fax, and email (very
important) of all participants
-a one-paragraph biographical statement of each participant

Proposals for individual papers must include:

-the title and an abstract (200 to 500 words) of the paper
-the affiliation, postal address, telephone, fax, and email (very
-important) of the applicant
-a one-paragraph biographical statement of each participant

If audio-visual equipment is required, please indicate so in your
application.

As before, applicants must abide by three golden rules:

-No participant may be listed more than once on a given panel
-No participant may present more than one paper at the convention
-No participant may appear more than twice in the convention program

The proposals must be sent to Dr. Troy McGrath (address below). Email
applications are encouraged. An international Program Committee will be
entrusted with the selection.

Deadline for proposals: December 6, 2001

For information on panel and paper proposals:

Dr. Troy McGrath
ASN Convention Program Chair
Political Science Department
Arnold Hall, Box 76
Hartwick College
Oneonta, NY 13820
tel.: 607-431-4586
fax: 607-431-4351
email: [log in to unmask]

For information on exhibits and advertisements in the convention
program:

Gordon Bardos
ASN Convention Director
Harriman Institute
Columbia University
1216 IAB
420 W. 118th St.
New York, NY 10027
tel.: 212 854 8487
fax: 212 666 3481
email: [log in to unmask]