LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES CONFERENCE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO
CALL FOR PAPERS
STUDY OF THE AMERICAS
April 19-20, 2023
The Latin American Studies Conference, “Study of the Americas,” fosters interest, knowledge, and understanding of the very diverse peoples, processes, and histories shaping Latin America, a cultural construct that goes from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego and includes the Caribbean, Latinx peoples in the US, the US-Mexico borderlands, and Latin American diasporic communities around the world. Research in art, culture, music, Indigenous studies, literature, economics, politics, anthropology, and history are welcomed.
Although we encourage papers and panel proposals on any subject relating to Latin America, this year we are especially interested in research and artistic presentations that relate to the themes of “(Re)thinking Migratory Communities in a Shifting Political Landscape.”
Over the last century, individuals and communities from different parts of Latin America have migrated within and outside the region for many reasons, including political, economic, or simply seeking their own survival. These intra and inter migratory movements have transformed in no few occasions the very relationships among Latin American nations and between many of them and the United States. Today, many of these communities have been resettling across multiple borders, as the recent Central American citizens organized in several caravanas heading north to reach Mexico’s northern border seeking asylum, or the Venezuelan diaspora that has taken millions out of their native country for a refuge in Colombia, the United States and beyond. All these movements of people in recent years have occurred in a shifting political landscape that has changed the most populous countries into left-leaning governments, such as Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Whereas some recipient nations, such as Colombia, have hosted these communities with at least some tolerance, others, such as the United States, have been openly hostile.
In this fashion, we invite papers that address questions such as the following:
What has been the response of political actors to these new migratory communities in the background of a continuous pattern of displacement of peoples, from indigenous communities to political refugees, including communities displaced by violence from the criminal narco trafficking activity? How are these communities different from the most traditional displacement of peoples due to economic hardship or political exile? What kind of solutions have been proposed at different levels, from the United Nations to the governments of the receiving (or rejecting) countries affected, including NGOs? How are the newly elected left-leaning governments of the Hemisphere (including the US Presidency), and in particular the Latin American nations involved reacting to this phenomenon? What lessons can be learn from this moment in the decades-long process of displacement of peoples across the Americas?
Papers from multiple disciplines addressing these realities, as well as all theoretical approaches, are welcome. The conference is open to a range of participants: faculty, lecturers, students, artists, and community activists.
As mentioned above, paper proposals are not limited to the conference theme; any topic on
Latin America is welcomed. Papers may be delivered in English or Spanish. Participants may present in person or virtually.
Please indicate if you prefer an in-person presentation (April 19) or a virtual presentation via Zoom (April 20).
PAPER SUBMISSIONS
Participants are invited to submit abstracts of 250 words. Proposals should also include name, institutional affiliation, faculty, student, or community participant, and an email address.
PANEL SUBMISSIONS
Proposals for a panel discussion (organized by three to five participants) will be considered. Please include a panel description (500 words) in addition to a paper description for each participant (250 words). Proposals should also include name, institutional affiliation, faculty, student, or community participant, and an email address.
Paper and Panel submissions should be submitted via e-mail by April 3rd, 2023 to afernand@csusb.edu
For questions contact:
Dr. Arturo Fernández-Gibert
Acting Chair, Latin American Studies Advisory Board
Professor of Spanish
Department of World Languages and Literatures
California State University, San Bernardino
Email: afernand@csusb.edu