Third Annual Alabama Modern Language Conference – March 1-2, 2013

Redefining Borders: Bridging the Gap between Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Keynote Speakers

Prof. Hafid Gafaiti (Texas Tech University) and Prof. Thomas Deveny (McDaniel College)

2013 AMLC Program 

A border is commonly recognized as a fixed limit between physical spaces. Borders may refer to the shifting boundaries between nations, yet issues of inclusion and exclusion, the impact of migrations and displacements, and questions of linguistic, cultural, and national identity all emphasize the complex nature of these real or imagined frontiers. In Alabama, the recent passage of strict anti-immigration laws and a growing sentiment against migrants have turned our attention towards the theme of borders and how these physical or mental gaps may be explored.

With these thoughts in mind, graduate students in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics are pleased to announce our third annual conference titled “Redefining Borders: Bridging the Gap between Languages, Literatures, and Cultures” to be held March 1 – 2 on the University of Alabama campus.

Call for Papers– AMLC 2013

We welcome submissions in the following categories pertaining to themes of borders and their relations to languages, literatures, and cultures:

  •  Studies of immigration, migration, diaspora, and displacement
  •  Literary and comparative studies, also topics on theater, music, film studies and photography
  •  Linguistics, including topics on pedagogy, language, and identity
  •  Cultural studies, gender studies, topics on race, ethnicity and class
  •  Multi-disciplinary approaches in fields such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, and history

The conference welcomes papers in English, Spanish, French and German of between 15 and 20 minutes in length. Abstracts of approximately 250 – 500 words may be sent as a Word document attachment to amlc@bama.ua.edu.  Please include the presenter’s name, institution, e-mail address and title of the presentation. Suggestions for panels of three or four presenters are especially encouraged; please include all members of the panel on the abstract. The deadline to submit abstracts is Tuesday, December 4, 2012.

Dear participants: As you make plans to travel to Tuscaloosa, we hope you find the following information useful. Please contact us if you have any questions.