SUDAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION

30th Annual Conference

Issues on Sudanese Unity and Separation beyond 2011

May 13 – 15, 2011
hosted by

Ohio State University
Coumbus, Ohio

Center for African Studies

ACCOMODATION

2011 Membership & Conference Registration

CALL FOR PAPERS:

The 2010 Sudan's National Elections results and processes and the upcoming 2011 Referendum are of paramount importance to Sudan's immediate future. Whether Sudan will remain united as one country or divided into many will remain to be seen. Issues of unity and separation are now discussed by many in Sudan and the discourse is not limited merely to the people of Southern Sudan. Since the referendum will be the first time in the history of the people of Southern Sudan to express their views regarding unity or separation, the implication of such an act has far reaching effects regarding the relationship between the peripheries and the central government, citizenship and governance. With local, regional and global interests on the upcoming referendum, there are two different views espoused by Sudanese, some calling for separation and others calling for unity. At a time when contentious issues affecting the lives of many Sudanese in the peripheries whether in the South, Darfur, Abyei, Ingassana or Halaib, it is important to look into situations and conditions that will either make Sudan one unified country or more than one. Important as well is to look into historical and current cultural and political situations that favor each choice and the role of the state, the elites, regional and international powers.

At this key juncture in the Sudanese experience, the Sudan Studies Association invites participation in and contributions for its 2011 annual meeting on the stated main theme or on other topics that revolve around Sudan.

PROPOSALS:

The tradition of the SSA conference is to give priority in timing and prominence to papers that address the theme of the conference, but papers on all other issues relating to Sudan--past, present and future-- are also very welcome. Abstracts of proposed papers (please, limit to 150-200 words) should be sent by March 1, 2011 to Dr. Randall Fegley, 2011 SSA Panel Organizer, Coordinator of Global Studies, Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus, Tulpehocken Road, Reading, PA, USA 19610, Tel. (610) 396-6092, e-mail raf8@psu.edu.

A preliminary program will be announced by April 1, 2011. 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. Pre-registration is required in order to secure a place on the conference program. Stipends of $200 are available for assistance to a limited number of graduate students and interested persons should contact SSA President Dr. Stephanie Beswick, Ball State University: sfbeswick@bsu.edu

NOTES:

Registration and conference fees must be paid before presenters will be placed in the formal conference program. Information will be available at the SSA website www.sudanstudies.org. These should be sent as soon as possible to Dr. Richard Lobban, Executive Director, Multi-University Research Initiative, 23 Fort Ave. Cranston, RI, 02905,  phone 401-467-2857 or e-mail: rlobban@ric.edu. The Chairs of the Local Arrangements Committee, are Laura Joseph (joseph.184@osu.edu) and Dr. Kelechi Kalu ( kalu.6@humanities.osu.edu) We especially welcome doctoral students (ABDs) from the United States and outside the United States.

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