Call for Papers

African Studies Association
47th Annual Meeting
November 11-14
New Orleans, LA

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The 47th Annual Meeting of the African Studies Association will take place from November 11-14, 2004, at the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans, LA. The meeting will be held jointly with the Canadian Association for African Studies. The theme is The Power of Expression: Identity, Language, and Memory in Africa and the Diaspora. The National Program Co-Chairs are Dennis Cordell and Philip Zachernuk. Proposals are due at the ASA Secretariat postmarked on or before March 31, 2004. Incomplete proposals will not be forwarded for review.

Guidelines for Submission: Proposing a Paper, Panel or Roundtable

Young Scholars Initiative

Checklist for Proposals

Guidelines for Panel and Roundtable Chairs

Guidelines for Presenters

The Baobab Poster Sessions

Panel/Roundtable Proposal Form

Paper Proposal Form

Theme Statement

Guidelines For Submission
Proposing a Poster Session, Paper, Panel, or Roundtable

Requirements for Participation
Panel, Paper, Roundtable, or Poster Session proposers must be 2004 members of the African Studies Association. Membership and pre-registration fees or the non-member pre-registration fee must accompany the proposal if the fee(s) have not already been paid. Prospective participants who do not reside in the US should contact the ASA if they are unable to submit funds from overseas because of difficulties in obtaining currency exchange limitations. Please note: the imposition of a fee for a US money order does not constitute difficulty in obtaining foreign exchange.Each individual may make only one presentation: as a paper presenter, a roundtable participant, a poster session presenter, or a discussant. Individuals may chair one panel in addition to making one presentation.

Registration
All participants must pre-register when the proposal is submitted. Proposals that are submitted without proper membership and pre-registration fees will not be forwarded for review. ASA members are required to be current with their 2004 dues. Dues and the discounted pre-registration fee should accompany the proposal if the fee(s) have not already been paid. Non-members are required to submit the non-member pre-registration fee with their proposal.

Refund Policy
Pre-registration fees will only be refunded if the presenter’s proposal is not accepted for the program. Other refunds will be made only in extraordinary circumstances and will incur a $25 service charge. ASA membership dues will not be refunded if a proposal is not accepted for the program. All refunds will be made after the Annual Meeting. Refunds must be requested in writing by December 31, 2004. Fees are not transferable.

ASA Policy on Proposal Acceptances
The National Program Co-Chairs, working with the Program Committee, bear final responsibility for accepting or declining all paper, panel, and roundtable proposals for the Annual Meeting. The National Program Co-Chairs are responsible for ensuring that panels conform to the standards set by the Board and the Program Committee. The National Program Co-Chairs have full authority to add or delete presentations on panels in order to accommodate proposals for individual papers and to enhance the overall quality of the program. Efforts will be made to contact panel proposers affected by these changes when they are made; however, publication deadlines may take precedence over such notification. All paper and panel proposals must be submitted through the ASA Secretariat on the appropriate forms. All paper proposals, whether submitted individually or as part of complete panels, will be reviewed separately.

Coordinate Organizations’ Panels
ASA Sponsored Organizations may propose up to two panels annually that will be accepted without review by the Program Committee. Panels must be identified as “unreviewed” in writing when they are submitted by the organization’s coordinator. Merely identifying them as “sponsored” panels will not grant them unreviewed status. Please note: unreviewed proposals must meet all administrative requirements, including paper and panel abstracts, and membership and pre-registration fees must accompany the proposal or be paid in advance. The proposals must also meet the March 15 deadline for submission.In addition to the two panels from each of the ASA Sponsored Organizations, the National Program Co-Chairs may, but are not required to, accept panels that will be listed in the program as “organized under the auspices of...” provided that the organizing groups are ASA Associate Organizations, Affiliate Organizations, or Allied Groups.

Proposals
Proposals must be submitted on the standard forms, and the required copies must be legible. The authors of all proposed papers should sign the paper proposal form. Proposals lacking abstracts will not be processed. Three (3) copies of all proposals and abstracts must be sent to the ASA Secretariat for entry into the central database. Mail proposals to Annual Meeting Coordinator, African Studies Association, Rutgers University, Douglass Campus, 132 George St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1400 USA. Proposals sent via e-mail or fax will not be acknowledged or processed.

Panel Proposals
An organized panel usually has a chair, up to four paper presenters, and a discussant. A proposal for an organized panel consists of the “Panel/Roundtable Proposal” form, the panel abstract, “Paper Proposal” forms for each presenter, and individual paper abstracts for each paper. The abstracts should consist of a statement about the topic, the nature and extent of the research on which the paper is based and a brief summary of the argument (one paragraph, 8-10 sentences).The quality of the paper abstract is the main criterion for acceptance, so panels with weak abstracts are unlikely to be given high priority. Two or more weak abstracts may eliminate the panel altogether. The National Program Committee may add individual papers or discussants to proposed panels. Longer abstracts will not be considered and the proposal will not be forwarded for review.

Individual Paper Proposals and Poster Session Proposals
Individual paper proposals and poster session proposals must be submitted on the “Paper Proposal” form, accompanied by an abstract. The paper abstract should consist of a statement about the topic, the nature and extent of the research on which the paper is based and a brief summary of the argument (one paragraph, 8-10 sentences). The quality of the paper abstract is the main criterion for acceptance.The National Program Committee will create panels from individual submissions with common themes. The National Program Committee will identify an individual to chair the session. Individual proposals may also be added to proposed panels at the discretion of the National Program Committee. In no case will a co-author be added after a paper has been accepted by the National Program Committee.

Roundtable Proposals
A roundtable consists of a chair and approximately four speakers. Proposals for roundtables must include an abstract. Use the “Panel/Roundtable Proposal” form to propose a roundtable.

Indicating Sections/Sub-themes
All proposals should designate the section for which the proposal is most appropriate. The theme for 2004, The Power of Expression: Language, Memory and Identity in Africa and the Diaspora, is divided into 18 thematic sections labeled A through R. Please review the theme statement below for a listing of sections/sub-themes. If the proposal can be included in two or more sections, indicate first and second choice sections. If none of the sections is appropriate for the proposed paper or panel, or if you are unclear as to correct section, designate Section Z. All proposals will be reviewed by a section chair who will make recommendations to the National Program Committee.

Audio Visual Equipment
The ASA provides free of charge the following A/V equipment: slide projector(s), an overhead projector, a TV/VCR, or an LCD video projector for powerpoint presentations (the presenter must supply the computer and cable). Poster session presenters may also request a chalkboard and corkboard. AV equipment must be requested on the proposal form at the time proposals are submitted. Failure to request A/V equipment will result in the individual having to rent the equipment at considerable personal expense through the on-site AV vendor.

Deadline
The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2004.

Notification
The ASA Secretariat will make every attempt to notify prospers that their proposal has been accepted. Publication deadlines however, may take precedence over this individual notification. Accepted panels and presentations will be listed in the Preliminary Program, which will appear in the July 2004 issue of the ASA News and on the ASA website.

Funding Participation
The Association does not provide financial support to attend the Annual Meeting. Participants must seek funding for travel and local expenses from their own institutions. Proposals from individuals who have not paid their pre-registration and membership fees will not be processed.

Letters of Invitation
The ASA can prepare invitation letters to help participants secure funding and expedite visas. Please contact the ASA Secretariat at callasa@rci.rutgers.edu for letters of invitation. Please request the letters at the time the proposal is submitted.

Young Scholars Initiative

The Board of Directors of the African Studies Association wishes to encourage as much graduate student participation at its annual meetings as possible. To that end, there are several different activities designed to encourage and support the efforts of young scholars.

Young Scholars Panels
There will be a special set of Young Scholars Panels designed to highlight both research in progress and reports from the field. Graduate students will be scheduled to make 15-minute presentations on panels chaired by senior scholars. Proposals submitted for participation in the young scholars panels must be identified as such in writing at the time of submission. Please submit your paper proposal to the ASA on the regular ASA form and indicate that you would like to participate in a "Young Scholars Panel."

Graduate Student Paper Prize
In 2001, the ASA Board of Directors established a new annual prize for the best graduate student paper presented at the previous year’s Annual Meeting. All papers presented by graduate students at the 2003 Annual Meeting are eligible for the prize, which will be awarded at the 47th Annual Meeting, November 11-14, 2004, in New Orleans. The editors of the African Studies Review plan to publish the prize-winning paper in the April 2004 issue, after the completion of an expedited external peer review process. The ASA Board, in consultation with the jury for the prize, reserves the right not to make an award in a particular year should the situation so merit. Graduate students may submit their papers with a letter of recommendation from their advisor postmarked on or before January 15, 2004 to the ASA Secretariat. Submissions may be mailed to African Studies Association, Graduate Student Prize Competition, Rutgers University, Douglass Campus, 132 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1400, or emailed as an attachment to callasa@rci.rutgers.edu.

Graduate Student Workshops
There will be a set of special workshops designed to support the efforts of young scholars to secure funding for their research and to publish the results of their research, both with respect to placing articles in Africanist journals and in turning the dissertation into a book. Details of these workshops will be announced in the Preliminary Program and Final Program.

Discount Student Rates
There is a special discounted student pre-registration rate of $45. Undergraduate and graduate students with valid student identification cards can take advantage of this low rate.

Check List for Proposals

Individual Paper Proposals

3 copies of the Paper Proposal Form
3 copies of the Paper Abstract
Membership Dues and Pre-registration Fees
AV Request, if applicable
Indicate if poster session or Young Scholars Panel

Panel or Roundtable Proposals

3 copies of the Panel/Roundtable Proposal Forms
3 copies of the Paper Proposal Form for each Presenter
3 copies of the Abstract for each paper (panel proposals only)
Membership Dues and Pre-registration Fees for each panel or roundtable participant
AV request, if applicable
Confirm that each presenter or discussant will not appear on another panel or roundtable.
Ensure you have then permission of the individuals you place on the panel or roundtable.

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Guidelines for Panel and Roundtable Chairs

Prior to conference:

1. Ensure that all presenters have paid preregistration fees and membership dues.

2. Acquire approval of all presenters.

3. Be sure that presenters are making only one presentation.

4. Presenters should have copies of abstract/outline of paper for distribution to attendees of session.

During conference:

1. Remember to adhere to the schedule of paper presentations, because many people will count on that as they plan their panel attendance.

2. Briefly (5-7 minutes) introduce your panel topic, how it came about (if that is interesting), and the qualifications of your participants (including yourself) to address the issues involved.

3. Then introduce each speaker in turn. You might want to speak to them briefly just before your panel starts, to be sure you know what they want you to say about them.

4. Be a good time manager. If you have four speakers and a discussant, or five speakers, you will want all of your speakers to understand before the panel begins that you must hold them to 20 minute presentations. No one appreciates a speaker who goes way over time, and in fact many audience members will resent it. So you should tell your speakers that you will warn them with a little sign when they only have five minutes left, and you will tell them when their time is up. Be firm on this.

5. When all your presenters have finished (including a discussant if you have one), open the panel for questions and discussion. You should field the questions, or at least facilitate that by standing up and calling on or pointing to people, particularly people who have raised their hands but are in locations hard for the speakers to see. Keep the discussion moving, and try to give everyone who wants to a chance to ask a question or make a comment.

6. Be sure you are out of the room at least 15 minutes before the next scheduled panel.

7. Report comments and observations (i.e., absent presenters, large audience) to the ASA staff via email. Email address: callasa@rci.rutgers.edu.

Audio Visual Equipment:

If your speakers are using audio visual equipment (slide projectors, overhead projectors, vcr's & monitors or video players), be sure you arrive early enough to help everyone set up and check out the equipment. People using slides will need to arrange them in the slide caraselle and then check a few to be sure they are right side up.

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Guidelines for Presenters

Presenters should generally allow 15 minutes for their presentations. If the panel has only three presenters and no discussant, each presenter should figure on 20 minutes for their contribution. If there are more than three presenters (including discussant), each presenter should plan for 15 minutes so that there is time for questions from the floor. Roundtable presentations sometimes take less time, depending on how they are organized.

If a paper has been written to be read in 15 minutes (and it has been practiced for timing) the presenter may read their paper. If a longer research paper has been written the presenter should either prepare an outline from which to speak or a shorter version to be read within the allotted 15 minutes.

Presenters showing slides or overheads, should allow for the time that it takes to speak to them and factor that element into the total time for their presentation. Presenters should be prepared to provide contact information to interested persons. Business cards are recommended. Persons who do not have business cards can make up slips of paper beforehand with their mailing address, telephone, and email addresses.

The Baobab Poster Sessions

The National Program Committee will identify a select number of conference participants to present their research in the Baobab Poster Session. There will be an interesting array of presenters from a variety of disciplines with a wide range of topics.

Baobab speakers will not present formal papers. Rather, they will engage in dialogue with conference attendees who have an interest in their announced topic. They can give you a synopsis of their research and findings, ask you questions about your interests and your research, and exchange points of information, methodology, and intellectual perspectives with you. The Baobab sessions are a very rich forum for the exploration of ideas.

One great advantage here is that scholars who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to meet and talk, can do so very conveniently at the sessions. Another great advantage is that presenters and attendees can discuss particular aspects of the topic in far greater detail than would be possible during formal presentations of the regular panels.

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