Call for papers
Austrian and Central European Studies, Joint CAS-CCAuCES symposium
Location: Alberta, Canada
The Canadian Centre for Austrian and Central European Studies (CCAuCES) of the University of Alberta and the Center for Austrian Studies (CAS) of the University of Minnesota will jointly host a symposium, "Nationalist Myths and Pluralist Realities in Central Europe," 25-27 October 2001, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
While the discipline of history has always played a central role in the enterprise of nation building and national identity formation, perhaps nowhere has this been more prominent than in central Europe. In the densely pluralistic geographical area once occupied by the Habsburg monarchy and the Balkan provinces of the Ottoman Empire, the many competing visions of the common past frequently preferred to define themselves first and foremost in militant opposition not only to their immediate ethnic neighbors, but also to the ethnic minorities among them. This has given rise to the development of tenacious historical myths which have taken such strong root in the popular culture of the respective successor state societies that they remain bitter impediments to the avowed pluralism and integration process of the new Europe.
Such historical myths not only frequently fly in the face of the pluralistic realities of the geographic region, but just as often stubbornly resist the reinterpretation that new research findings would seem to suggest. The objective of this symposium will be to reexamine some of the most persistent myths of central European history in the light of new research, and to invite a reconsideration of the confrontational view of the common past inspired by nationalist hostilities. The period under consideration will focus primarily on the early modern and modern periods (i.e, since the Renaissance), though consideration will be given to earlier topics where appropriate. Submission of proposals for either individual papers or for full panels are invited. All prospective panelists should submit a 500-word abstract (together with a curriculum vitae and e-mail address) summarizing their thesis and supporting evidence. Panel proposals consisting of a commentator and three participants, who must come from at least two institutions, are also welcome. CAS and CCAuCES particularly urge scholars from central Europe to submit proposals, but encourage them to examine their own national myths rather than those of their neighbors. Papers should not exceed ten pages of double spaced text (excluding footnotes) for an oral presentation that will not exceed 20 minutes.
Deadline: April 1, 2001.
Notifications regarding acceptance will be made by May 18, 2001. CAS and CCAuCES will be in a position to subsidize some but not all travel and accommodation expenses of participants. A special conference hotel rate will be available, which, depending on the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar, will be approximately $60-$70 (U.S.) per day. Paper abstracts, panel proposals, or questions may be directed to: Franz A.J. Szabo, Director, Canadian Centre for Austrian and Central European Studies, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada T6G 2E6. E-mail: ccauces@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca; or Gerhard Weiss, Interim Director, Center for Austrian Studies, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN 55454, U.S.A. E-mail: casahy@umn.edu.
Call for Papers website: http://www.cas.umn.edu
This announcement was submitted via the H-Net Announcements Website. Find it at: http://www.h-net.msu.edu/announce/show.cgi?ID=127095
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