Call for Papers: Fragments of Empire after the American Century (Beirut, 13-16 January 2016)

The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Center for American Studies and Research is now accepting abstract submission for its 6th international conference, titled “Fragments of Empire after the American Century,” which will be held at AUB next January. 

The conference will provide a forum to focus on and debate the consequences and residues of imperial (and neo-imperial) presences across the Middle East, as well as the legacies of empire in the so-called metropoles or in comparative consideration to other regions and eras. 

The concept of “fragments” can be interpreted literally, as in pieces or cuts to elicit analysis on a specific context, relationship, cultural or historical manifestation, and/or it can be interpreted metaphorically to reflect on diffusions, refractions or realignments of power, culture, space and so on. In this unwieldy moment, American power unfolds in diffuse sites and often in scattered or incongruous ways. The phrase “after the American century” aims to be suggestive; it can be interpreted either as a reflection of the waning US power in support of contradictory strategic interests, or as a question about whether we are, indeed, entering an “after” phase of imperial hegemonies.

We invite disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and un-disciplined papers that address any aspect of transnational American Studies or America’s transnational fragments. In addition to hosting a wide range of scholarship in transnational American Studies relating to empire, we welcome panel and paper proposals focused on the history of AUB and/or American education in the Middle East for AUB’s 150th anniversary. 

We invite individual paper submissions or panel proposals. We will look favorably on panel proposals that include participants from institutions in different countries, that engage the conference theme, and that meet our criteria for excellent scholarship. Since our online application includes general and specific info about every speaker, we would appreciate if each panelist submits an application and just mention the names of the other panelists in the assigned field on the form. 

CASAR will cover the cost of five nights of hotel in Beirut for all accepted conference presenters. In addition, once accepted to the conference, participants may submit an application for travel fellowships. Travel fellowships will be awarded to help subsidize airfare for those who have little or no university research budget. Our funding decisions will prioritize new participants to the conference.

To submit an abstract, please click here (Deadline: April 30, 2015)

If you have any inquiries, please contact us at casar@aub.edu.lb.