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Conference
Announcement and Call for Papers: Dynamics
of Gender and Culture in Sudan
23nd
Annual Meeting of Sudan Studies Association May
28 - May 30, 2004 to be held
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(for directions to campus, click here) opening
ceremony Benson Center, Santa Clara University campus, Friday May 28 (for
conference accommodations, Candlewood Suites, San Jose click here) (for information
about the region, click here) |
Gender
and culture are important dynamic phenomena underlying the militarization and
polarization of Sudanese society due to the prolonged civil war. The
cultures of Sudan are changing rapidly, partly due to a large and growing
diaspora community of northern exiles and southern refugees, an enormous
increase in internally displaced persons within Sudan, especially in
Khartoum, and increasing access by many to international cultural media
(internet, satellite television, etc.).
Sudanese arts are flourishing, both in the country and abroad. Much of this artistic output is inspired
by the horrors of the long war, and comments on the war itself. Religion, as a central element of many
Sudanese cultures, has also featured prominently in discourses about war and
peace. In northern Sudan Muslims are
increasingly debating the content of Islam, and new voices are being
heard. In southern Sudan, there is no
doubt about the increasing influence of Christian discourses, but traditional
prophets and diviners continue to thrive. Gender
roles are important components of culture, and a number of Sudanist academics
have pointed out that definitions of masculinity and femininity and the roles
and identities of men and women have been changing rapidly all across the
country and for many ethnic groups.
The identities, for example, are central to recruitment and propaganda
strategies of leaders in both the north and the south. The economic stagnation and dislocation of
the country also generate new livelihood strategies for men and women: women
in northern Sudan are increasingly becoming de facto landowners and
economic operators. Women are
becoming important political actors in southern Sudan. Finally, men and women in both north and
south are producing new “scripts” for how to live meaningful lives; sometimes
these “scripts” harken back to a “traditional” past, sometimes look forward
to a “modern” future.
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The Sudan Studies Association
has been organizing annual conferences of academics, policymakers, Sudanese
citizens and other interested persons for over 20 years. |
The Sudan Studies Association (SSA) seeks proposals for papers and panels that address various issues (past and present) related to the dynamics of gender and culture in Sudan. SSA welcomes proposals not only from Sudan specialists, but from experts on other African countries who may wish to pursue comparative analyses. Artists and musicians are also welcome to submit proposals for displays or performances, though space and time for these are limited. The tradition of the SSA conference is to give priority in timing and prominence of presentation to papers that address the theme of the conference, but papers on other issues relating to Sudan are also welcome. Abstracts of proposed papers (150-200 words) should be received by March 1, 2004. Please send to Michael Kevane, SSA program committee chair, Department of Economics, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA 95053 tel 408-554-6888, fax 408-554-2331, mkevane@scu.edu. A preliminary program will be announced on March 15, 2004. Late proposals for papers will be considered only if space is available. Proposals and paper abstracts submitted earlier will receive preferential treatment in scheduling. Acceptance for presentation will depend on the quality of the abstract and the judgment of the program committee. Small stipends of $200 are available for assistance to a limited number of graduate students (interested persons should contact SSA President Michael Kevane). |
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Program Committee: Ali B.
Ali-Dinar, African Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania; Carolyn
Fluehr-Lobban, Colgate University; Martha Saavedra, African Studies Center,
University of California at Berkeley; Michael Kevane, Santa Clara University,
Jay O'Brien, California State University-Fresno. Local arrangements hosts:
Michael Kevane, Department of Economics, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara,
CA 95053 tel 408-554-6888, fax 408-554-2331, mkevane@scu.edu and
Martha Saavedra, African Studies Center, University of California at
Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720 |