Call for Papers: First ACAS Graduate Students Symposium at Atneo de Manila University, Philippines

Ateneo de Manila University 

ATENEO CENTER FOR ASIAN STUDIES (ACAS)

in cooperation with

Department of Political Science 
Chinese Studies Program 
Development Studies Program 
Japanese Studies Program

CALL FOR PAPERS

First ACAS Graduate Students Symposium

July 16 and 17, 2015, Faber Hall Function Room (FH 101) Ateneo de Manila University

Theme:

The Asian Village: Challenges, Innovations & Reforms in East and Southeast Asia from Below

Description

The attempt to explain and study Asia has always been a daunting task due to its socio-economic and political diversity, rich history and cultural traditions and its place in both the ancient and modern global landscape. Much has been written on the region in recent years, but most accounts focus on formal institutions, structural arrangements including the elites vis-à-vis single country and single-issue discourses.

However, there is another equally important view of Asia, where voices of those who has lived through Asia's greatest challenges and transformations have dwelled. Their stories of resilience and transformations have attracted many scholars and policymakers alike to look more closely at Asia from its very core – the village.

The symposium therefore aims to explore challenges and innovations of the region from the perspective of local institutions and actors from within. It uses multidisciplinarity as lens to understand the role, resilience and transformations of the "Asian Village" as it seeks to balance tradition with modernization. In addition, this symposium gives premium to the experiences of those from below such as sub-national authorities and institutions, the marginalized, grassroots movements, and other important sectors in various Asian communities.

The symposium primarily seeks to answer the question “What is the village's place in the study of East and Southeast Asia today?”.

In particular, the following core questions will be addressed:

1. How can our understanding of "Asia from below" theoretically inform the dominant discourses about Asia?
2. To what extent does Asia's past shape its future's trajectory in terms of both identity and institution building?
3. What new power relations and social cleavages are revealed by homegrown innovations and reform enterprises?

Sub-Themes:

(1) Local Governance and Delivery Systems

(2) Identity, Heritage and Place

(3) Indigenous Social and Technological Innovations

(4) Local Responses to Human and Natural Disasters

Who May Submit

This symposium is organized to promote the study of Asia among young scholars from the region. It also provides space for young Asianists and Asian scholars studying in Asian universities to present their work about and experience living in Asia during these challenging yet promising times. It is hoped that at the end of the symposium, a network among the participants will be formalized.

Therefore, priority will be given to graduate students who are:

(1) Asianist based in East and Southeast Asian universities; and

(2) At an advanced stage of their dissertation/thesis writing (currently or has already completed collecting data)

Guidelines for Submission of Paper Proposal

Graduate students should submit an extended abstract (about 800 to 1,000 words) of their proposed paper no later than 
17 April 2015, 5:00 p.m., Manila Time.

The abstract should include:

1. Title of Paper
2. Research Question and Hypothesis (if any)
3. Conceptual Framework
4. Methodological Approach
5. Findings (initial/final)

Papers based only on literature review will not be accepted. One letter of recommendation from your research supervisor should also be forwarded along with the Application Form (available for download in the website) and a short bio-note. Please send your documents to acas.soss@ateneo.edu

Decisions regarding acceptance of proposed papers including subsidy requests will be sent thru email by 01 May 2015. Those selected will have to submit full-length papers, of around 4,000 to 5,000 words in length no later than 19 June 2015, 5:00 p.m., Manila Time.

Slots

Only a maximum of 20 participants will be selected to participate in the symposium.

The organizers will shoulder full board and meals for two days, conference registration fee including kits.

Selected participants are expected to cover for their airfare to and from Manila, visa costs (when applicable), as well as any travel insurance required by your home university. Travel subsidy requests may be accommodated based on the availability of funds.

For more updates and to download the application form, please visit the symposium website: http://ateneo.edu/ls/soss/acas/events/first-acas-graduate-students-symposium

Or you may contact: 
Ms. Mariel Banzon
Ateneo Center for Asian Studies
LH 207, 2^nd Floor, Ricardo and Dr. Rosita Leong Hall
Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Philippines
Telephone no: (632) 426-6001, local 5285/5286
Telefax: (632) 926-42-02