2017 theme: The Intellectual Chimera of South Asia: Interdisciplinary Questions about Area Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences A term generated out of post-imperial, Cold-War realignments, “South Asia,” like other broad regional designations, has long served as notional places tied to government funds, international politics, and disciplinary sub-specialty in academic Area Studies. Several decades after the close of the Cold War, what can we say of the intellectual value of such a designation? How does “area studies” enable certain kinds of research and teaching? In what ways might it constrain us as scholars and teachers? What is the scholarly value of “South Asia” for the 21st century? The South Asia Center at the University of Washington, along with partners at the University of British Columbia and the University of Oregon, will mark the 50th anniversary of the South Asia Conference of the Pacific Northwest (SACPAN) with the two-day conference The Intellectual Chimera of South Asia: Interdisciplinary Questions about Area Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Graduate students and faculty from the University of Washington, our partner institutions, and institutions from around the region will gather to discuss current research and engage in a debate about South Asia Studies in the Pacific Northwest. We invite faculty and graduate students from the arts, humanities, and social sciences to submit proposals for short panel presentations. More information about the conference to come on the South Asia Center website. |