******************************************************
* http://www.anthropologymatters.com *
* A postgraduate project comprising online journal, *
* online discussions, teaching and research resources *
* and international contacts directory. *
******************************************************
*CALL FOR PAPERS*
2007 American Anthropological Association Annual Conference
Washington, DC
(28 November – 2 December 2007)
Proposed session title and abstract:
*Islands and enclaves: Exploring the ambiguities and boundaries of
non-contiguous nation-states*
If nation-states are almost always defined by some notion of boundedness,
what happens when certain parts of the nation-state are not territorially
contiguous with what is considered the political center of that
nation-state? In this panel, we will be looking at islands and enclaves that
are not nation-states themselves, but in one way or another fall under the
jurisdiction of a geographically distant political body, forming part of a
larger nation-state. The physical distance that separates these islands and
territories from their "mainland" can lead to ambiguity, not only in how
these spaces are understood and configured by the state, but also in how the
populations concerned may imagine themselves and that relation. Despite this
ambiguity (or perhaps because of it), that distance tends to be made
materially and symbolically significant, whether geographical contiguity is
or is not explicitly considered a defining feature of that political entity.
Mapped onto that geographic distance and separation are social, cultural,
linguistic, legislative and other differences, be that on the part of social
actors, governments, or both. Often these differences assume the form of
inequalities: unequal access to social rights, racial and ethnic
hierarchies, cultural marginalization, etc. These differences may likewise
become the tools through which rights, identities and social relations are
renegotiated. In some cases these differences may take center stage in
political debates and public discourse, but in others may be expressed in
very subtle and ill-defined ways that nevertheless complicate the
relationship between these two spaces and impact the lives of those residing
within.
The populations that we study may not be crossing national boundaries (at
least not in the traditional sense) but are still confronted by culturally
and historically imagined boundaries—or may even be creating those
boundaries themselves—that distance them from that thing more generally
considered the Nation. In some cases, these populations may have just as
much or even more contact with peoples belonging to other nation-states
geographically closer. In other cases, these territories have frequently
changed hands and fallen under the authority of other nation-states or
political bodies, creating politically and culturally different histories
and presents from the larger nation-state. Among the central questions of
this panel: Do states differentially shape national identities on the
"mainland" versus these outlying territories, and if so, what factors,
reasons, ideologies stand behind imagining these spaces differently? What
role do educational and other institutions play in creating a particular
national identity, or in manufacturing a sense of belonging or
non-belonging? In what instances is the issue inclusion—because of assumed
differences—rather than differentiation? How do social, cultural,
historical, material and symbolic ties get established to assert a relation
with the larger nation, and how do similar points of divergence get created
to assert difference? How have these relationships changed over time?
Research being done under the rubric "transnational studies" often falls
short for thinking about these spaces and those who reside within them
because the problems of inclusion/exclusion are configured very differently.
By presenting a variety of examples of non-contiguous nation-states, this
panel interrogates in very different ways the issues of inclusion/exclusion,
citizenship, national/cultural/ethnic identity, jurisdiction.
**********
Please feel free to forward this message to others who might be interested.
If you would like to participate, please send an abstract (maximum 250
words) to Nona Moskowitz ( [log in to unmask]) or Anna Lim (
[log in to unmask]).
The submission deadline is Sunday, 25 March 2007 (noon)
We will confirm acceptance into the panel by Tuesday, 27 March 2007.
The conference theme this year is "Difference, (In)equality and Justice."
Individual papers should be 15 minutes in length. A/V equipment will be
available upon request. For more information about the conference, please
check the AAA website at: www.aaanet.org
*************************************************************
* Anthropology-Matters Mailing List *
* To join this list or to look at the archived previous *
* messages visit: *
* http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/Anthropology-Matters.HTML *
* If you have ALREADY subscribed: to send a message to all *
* those currently subscribed to the list,just send mail to: *
* [log in to unmask] *
* *
* Enjoyed the mailing list? Why not join the new *
* CONTACTS SECTION @ www.anthropologymatters.com *
* an international directory of anthropology researchers *
***************************************************************
|