Call for Papers

African Studies Association
46th Annual Meeting
Oct 30 - Nov 2, 2003
Boston, MA

CALL FOR PAPERS
Deadline: postmarked by March 31, 2003

The 46th Annual Meeting of the African Studies Association is Oct 30 - Nov 2, 2003, at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Boston, MA. Youthful Africa in the 21st Century is the theme of the conference. Professor Peter D. Little of the University of Kentucky is the National Program Chair. Proposals and accompanying membership and pre-registration fees are due in the ASA Executive Office postmarked by Friday, March 31, 2003. 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/Poster Session Proposal Form

Theme Statement

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

Requirements for Participation
Persons who propose presentations or organize panels and roundtables for the program must be 2003 members of the African Studies Association with dues and annual meeting pre-registration or non-members with pre-registration fees paid by the time of submission. Scholars not residing in the US should indicate in their correspondence with ASA they are unable to submit funds from overseas because of currency exchange problems, keeping in mind that the imposition of a fee for a US money order does not constitute a currency exchange problem.

Individuals will be accepted to 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. Participants are reminded to settle on their preferred mode of participation before submitting materials.

Registration
All participants must pre-register at the time of proposal submission. Proposals submitted without proper membership and pre-registration fees will not be considered.
ASA members are required to be current 2003 members and to submit the discounted pre-registration fee at the time of submission.
Non-members are required to submit the non-member pre-registration fee.

Refund Policy
Refunds of pre-registration fees will be made only if the presenter’s proposal is rejected. Other refunds of pre-registration fees will be made only in extraordinary circumstances, will incur a $25 service charge, and will in no case be made prior to the Annual Meeting. Refunds must be requested in writing postmarked by December 31, 2003. Refunds of ASA memberships will not be made because of proposal rejection. Fees are not transferable.

ASA Policy on Proposal Acceptances
The National Program Chair, working with a committee, bears final responsibility for acceptance or rejection of all paper, panel, and roundtable proposals for the Annual Meeting. The National Program Chair is responsible for assuring that panels conform to standards set by the Board and the Program Committee. The National Program Chair has 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 proposers of panels 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 Executive Office on the appropriate forms. All papers, 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. The two panels must be identified as such in writing at the time of submission by the organization’s coordinator. e.g., "This panel is sponsored by Organization X." Such unreviewed proposals must meet all administrative requirements, including papers and panel abstracts, and membership and pre-registration status for participants.

In addition to the two panels from each of the ASA Sponsored Organizations, the National Program Chair may but is not required to accept panels which 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
Use only the standard forms, and make sure that the copies are legible. The authors of all proposed papers should sign the paper proposal form. Proposals sent via e-mail or fax will not be processed. 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.

Panel Proposals
An organized panel usually has a chair, four paper presenters, and a discussant. A proposal for an

organized panel consists of the “Panel/Roundtable Proposal” form, panel abstract, “Paper Proposal” forms for each presenter, and individual paper abstracts for each paper. The abstracts should consist of a statement 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.

Individual Paper Proposals and Poster Session Proposals
Individual paper proposals and poster session proposals must be submitted on the “Paper Proposal” form and be accompanied by an abstract. The paper abstract should consist of a statement topic, the nature and extent of the research on which the paper is based and a brief summary of the (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 the National Program Committee has accepted a paper.

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

Indicating Sections/Sub-themes
All individuals proposing panel or papers should designate the section for which the proposal is most appropriate. Youthful Africa in the 21st Century, the conference theme, is divided into 22 thematic sections labeled A through V. 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 the correct section, designate Section V. All proposals will be reviewed by a section chair who will make recommendations to the National Program Committee.

Audio Visual Equipment
The ASA provides to conference participants--at absolutely no charge -- four different items of A/V equipment: slide projectors, overhead projectors, vcr's & monitors and video projectors. Please note: if you order a Video Porjector, you must bring your own Computer and cable, provided this equipment is requested on the proposal form. The ASA provides the same items of A/V equipment for poster session presenters, along with a chalkboard and corkboard.
A/V equipment requests must be made at the time proposals are submitted. Failure to request A/V equipment will result in the individual having to rent the equipment himself or herself. Persons requesting A/V equipment after March 31, 2003 will be referred to the on-site A/V vendor where that person or persons will make arrangements to secure the equipment request.

Deadline
Postmarked by March 31, 2003.

Notification
The ASA Secretariat will make every attempt to notify individuals of their acceptance; however, publication deadline may take precedence over this individual notification. Accepted panels and presentations will be listed in the Preliminary Program, which will appear in the July 2003 issue of the ASA News and on the website.

Funding Participation
The Association does not provide financial support for attending the conference to persons whose proposals are included on the program. Participants are advised to seek funding for travel and local expenses from their own institutions. Proposals from persons who have not paid their pre-registration and membership fees will not be processed.
While the ASA understands the correlation for some presenters between presenting and receiving funding from their institution to attend the meeting, proposals from individuals with unpaid fees will not be processed. The ASA can prepare invitation letters to help participants secure funding. Please contact the ASA Secretariat at callasa@rci.rutgers.edu for letters of invitation.

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

Panel or Roundtable Proposals

3 Copies Panel/Roundtable Proposal Form
3 Copies Panel or Roundtable Abstract
3 Copies Paper Proposal Form for Each Presenter
3 Copies Abstracts for Each Paper (panel proposals only)
Membership Dues and Pre-registration Fees for Each Presenter
A/V Request, if applicable
Confirm that no one is appearing on another panel before submitting proposal.
Ensure you have permission of the individuals you place on panel or roundtable.

Individual Paper Proposals

3 Copies Paper Proposal Form
3 Copies of Paper Abstract
Membership Dues and Pre-registration Fees
A/V Request, if applicable
Indicate if poster session

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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.

Proposal Forms

You will need Acrobat Reader to download these forms. You may click here to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader.

PANEL/ROUNDTABLE PROPOSAL FORM
PAPER PROPOSAL FORM

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African Studies Association, Rutgers University, 132 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1400 USA
T: 732-932-8173; F: 732-932-3394; E-mail: callasa@rci.rutgers.edu Web: Http://www.africanstudies.org