ASWAD: 2nd Diaspora Conference - SUNY New Paltz

Below is the call for papers for our second one-day
Diaspora conference sponsored by the Department of Black
Studies, the First World Alumni Chapter of the SUNY New
Paltz Alumni Association at SUNY New Paltz, the Department
of Foreign Languages, and the Latin American Studies
Program, on Saturday, October 18, 2008. This is the final
reminder, since the deadline for abstract submission is
quickly approaching. A few details about this important
even are relevant:

1. The conference will feature both academic/research and
experiential papers and presentations.

2. It is open to all, including faculty, staff, community
members, and graduate students. They do not have to be
from SUNY New Paltz.

3. The cost is a modest $35.00 for the entire day.

4. One can arrive in the morning and depart in the
evening, not having to pay for a hotel.

5. Cultural and entertainment activities will occur at
mid-day and early evening.

6. The keynote speakers are Gil Noble, the Emmy award
winning journalist, Producer and host of "Like It Is"
(WABC New York); and Dr. Marta Mereno Vega, Priestess and
President of the Caribbean Cultural Center in New York.

Please respond to the Call for Papers by September 15,
2008. Do call if you have questions. I hope to see you on
October 18, 2008.

CALL FOR PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS

Second Diaspora Conference:
?Redefining the Diaspora: Race, Color, Culture and
Identity?

Saturday, October 18, 2008

State University of New York at New Paltz, New York

The First World Alumni Chapter of the SUNY New Paltz
Alumni Association, the Department of Black Studies, the
Department of Foreign Languages, and the Latin American
Studies Program request submission of abstracts for papers
and presentations.

Purpose: The conference will bring together alumni,
professors, community members, and those in any profession
concerned with the experiences of and the construction of
identity among Diasporic peoples from Africa, Asia, Latin
America, Caribbean and the United States. Presenters may
offer scholarly research or participate in experiential
panel discussions on, but not limited to, the following
categories: History, Literature, Languages, the Arts,
Music, Science, Education, Economics, Globalization,
Psychology, Medicine, Religion, Family Patterns, the
Military, Business and Politics. Subjects can span from
the impact of enslavement and colonization in the
construction of identity to the role of contemporary
popular culture in the development of identity among
Diasporic communities.

Some Suggested Topics:
? Who am I in my profession?
? How does my race, ethnicity, color or identity impact
how I view my
ability to shape my profession and/or create change?
? How did college help shape or change my identity?
? concepts of race, regional Diasporas
? international Diasporas
? the politics of the Diaspora
? performing identity, economics & race
? health care & race
? media representations
? mapping identity & Diaspora
? cartographic representations of Diaspora & identity
? multiple identities
? migrating identities, migration & the creation of
Diasporas
? literary interpretations
? navigating identity in the workplace
? teaching & identity politics
? religion & identity construction
? postmodern criticism of modernistic identity constructs
? the role of Black Studies and/or Latin American Studies
in shaping
future Diasporas.

Please send a 100-word abstract and short biographical
statement by Monday, September 15, 2008, indicating: (1)
name, (2) address, (3) telephone, (4) e-Mail, (5) and
topic. Also indicate (6) whether you will present a paper
or host a complete session or plenary, and (7) state
equipment needs. All presenters must pre-register.

Pre-register Online starting September 1 at:
www.newpaltz.edu/alumni/reunion.

E-mail submission is preferred.
Abstracts may be e-Mailed to Dr. Karanja K. Carroll at:
carrollk@newpaltz.edu; or sent by overland mail to: Dr.
Margaret Wade-Lewis, Chair, Department of Black Studies
and Faculty Liaison for the First World Chapter of the
SUNY New Paltz Alumni Association
State University of New York at New Paltz Faculty Office
Building West 2
1 Hawk Drive New Paltz, New York 12561
Telephone: (845) 257-2760