May, 13-14, 2005 Department of Spanish and Portuguese University of California, Santa Barbara The Problems of  “Nation”: Reflections on National Discourses and Nationalism through Hispanic and Lusophone Thought.

Call for Papers

There are many questions that arise as we enter an era of changing political, economic and social boundaries; we invite dialogue and reflection on the questions of construction and deconstruction of the ideas of Nation throughout the literature, art and critical thought of the Hispanic and Lusophone world.
What is the importance of the idea of Nation in Hispanic and Lusophone literature? Who is included and who is excluded in the National discourse? What cultural manifestations are considered representative of Nation? Is there a literature or art of resistance to the idea of Nation? What are the implications of a national identity for marginalized groups? What kinds of approaches are used to conceive of the idea of Nation? Is a national identity necessarily linked to territoriality? Is there a critical moment in history that reflects a move towards, or away from, the constructions of national identity?

The 7th Annual Graduate Student Conference on Hispanic and Lusophone Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics will be hosted by the Graduate Student Organization of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of California at Santa Barbara. This conference is organized by graduate students in order to give other graduate students an opportunity to share their current work. We encourage all submissions relating to these topics in any areas humanities and social sciences, including Literature, Linguistics, Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, Film Studies, History, Sociology and the Fine and Performing Arts.

Abstract Information: Please submit a 250 word abstract postmarked by February 15, 2005 Abstracts may be sent via post or e-mail. The abstract itself should consist of only the title of the paper and abstract with no personal information. On a separate page please include the following: title of your presentation, name, e-mail address, institution address, office and home phone numbers. Submissions of panels (not to exceed three papers) are encouraged.

Submission: Abstracts may be sent to the graduate student conference selection committee via e-mail at: ucsbconferencia2005@yahoo.com or via post-mail to the following address:

Ilana Luna (Grad Student Conference)
University of California at Santa Barbara, Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Phelps Hall
Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-4150.

Paper Format: please keep in mind that papers should not exceed a reading period of twenty minutes (8 pages) in order to allow sufficient time for discussion. The papers may be in Spanish, Portuguese, or English.

Registration: registration fees and other information will be posted on this website at a further date.
We look forward to your participation!