ACADEMIC CONFERENCES

ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Drugs, meditation, hypnosis, ecstasy, dreaming, hallucination, mass hysteria: There are countless ways of achieving altered states of consciousness. Why are some valued while others are deemed dangerous and are therefore feared? Why do we continue to wage a "war on drugs" despite its staggering costs and obvious failure? How do culture and history determine our attitudes and rules governing mind-altering activities? This conference will reflect on the current debate about mind-altering substances, examining religious, psychiatric, recreational, and inspirational practices of altering consciousness, looking back at the historical roots of our current views and policies and forward to more rational, less harmful solutions to what some perceive as a national epidemic. For information and registration, T: (212) 229-2488; E-mail: <socres@newschool.edu>; Web: < http://www.newschool.edu/centers/socres/altered>.

New York, NY: February 22-24, 2001

RACE AND PHILANTHROPY

Columbia University's Institute for Research in African-American Studies announces a conference that examines the involvement of philanthropic organizations in the lives of African Americans and the relationship of philanthropy to social scientific thought and public policy formulation. For black Americans, charitable agencies, advocates, churches, settlement organizations and research centers that guide philanthropic practice play a central role in their lives and communities. This relationship remains discordant and at times contentious since the provision of charitable assistance can lead to the loss of self-determination on the part of the recipient if not conducted responsibly. Moreover, with the pullback of government services and, correlatively, the increased reliance on charity and grantmaking as a means to respond to social hardships, it is imperative to understand the role of philanthropic actors in racialized communities and their influence in shaping the discourse on race in America. For more information, T: (212) 854-7080; F: (212) 854-7060; E-mail: <kh328@columbia.edu>.

New York, NY: March 2-3, 2001

MERIDIANS: FEMINISM, RACE, TRANSNATIONALISM

Announcing the Meridians Inaugural Conference, to be held at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. The conference will be a convergence of scholars, activists, filmmakers, performance artists and poets interrogating the identities, politics, and practices associated with "feminist," "third world," and "women of color." Meridians is a new, peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal that offers a forum for scholarship and creative work by and about women of color in United States and international contexts. Opening Keynote by Angela Y. Davis; participants include Karin Aguilar-San Juan, Mei-Mei Berssenbrugge, Rosa Linda Fregoso, Angela Ginorio, Evelyn Hammonds, Barbara Harlow, Joy James, Kamala Kempadoo, Deepa Mehta, Kathy Moon, Geeta Patel, Obioma Nnaemeka, Banu Subramaniam, Rea Tajiri, and Denise Uyehara. Conference is free, but pre-registration is required. For more information on the conference or the journal, see Web: <www.smith.edu/meridians>, or contact Kum-Kum Bhavnani, E-mail: <meridians@smith.edu>; T: (413) 585-3388; F: (413) 585-3362.

Northampton, MA: March 9-10, 2001

BENJAMIN NOW

The Forbes Center for Research in Culture and Media, Brown University, announces an interdisciplinary symposium: "Benjamin Now: Critical Encounters with Walter Benjamin's Arcades Project." The recent translation of the legendary Arcades Project, along with other new translations of Benjamin's work, promises to have major impact not only on the understanding of Benjamin himself, but on many fields: social theory and philosophy, cultural studies, literary theory, media studies, modernist and postmodernist studies, urban and architectural studies, and aesthetics. This symposium gathers scholars from several disciplines with a stake in Benjamin, including the translators of the Arcades Project. They will present substantive papers and participate in discussions of the significance of the Arcades Project and the "new" English-language Benjamin. Participants: Susan Bernstein, Claudia Brodsky-Lacour, T.J. Clark, Howard Eiland, Peter Fenves, Tom Gunning, Miriam Hansen, Michael Jennings, Kevin McLaughlin, Avital Ronell, Philip Rosen, Henry Sussman, Lindsay Waters, Samuel Weber, Peter Wollen. Web: <www.modcult.brown.edu/BenjaminNow/>.

Providence, RI: April 6-7, 2001

FUTURES OF THE FIELD

The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies at the City University of New York is hosting a conference on the topic of institutionalizing queer/LGBT/sexuality studies programs in the university. The conference will address the practical issues faced by those creating LGBT and sexuality programs and courses of study, as well as some of the larger questions raised by the creation of these programs. Does queer/sexuality/LGBT studies have its own disciplinarity? What effect does the privatization of the university and of funding have on the LGBT studies program? How does LGBT studies or queer theory get taught in the social sciences? Registration, co-sponsoring, and program information: Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10036-8099; T: (212) 817-1955; E-mail: <clags@gc.cuny.edu>; Web: <www.clags.org>.

New York, NY: April 20-21, 2001

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN HISTORIANS

The Organization of American Historians announces its 94th Annual Meeting to be held April 26-29, 2001 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The meeting's location in the cultural mosaic of Los Angeles and OAH's efforts to reach a wider public helped shape our theme, "Connections: Rethinking Our Audiences." Over 180 sessions, panels, workshops, and roundtable conversations offer the best scholarship in American history and culture. Featured speakers include NEH chair William Ferris, documentary filmmaker Ric Burns, and political commentators Arianna Huffington and Susan Estrich. The world's largest professional association of American history educators and researchers, OAH publishes the Journal of American History. E-mail: <oah@oah.org>;Web: <www.oah.org>; T: (812) 855-7311.

Los Angeles, CA: April 26-29, 2001

GLOBALIZING THE STREETS

John Jay College of Criminal Justice announces the Second Biennial Conference on Street Youth, Social Control and Empowerment. The Street Organization Project is organizing a major international and interdisciplinary conference entitled "Globalizing the Streets: Youth, Social Control and Empowerment in the New Millennium." For further details on proposal submissions and registration, contact Juan Esteva, Department of Sociology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 899 10th Avenue, Suite 520, New York, NY 10019; T: (212) 237-8201; F: (212) 237-8940; E-mail: <Streetresearch@aol.com>; Web: <members.aol.com/streetresearch> Deadline for abstracts: January 1, 2000.

New York, NY: May 2-5, 2001

WCU POETRY CONFERENCE

The seventh annual West Chester University Poetry Conference welcomes writers and scholars June 6-9, 2001, with keynote poet Marilyn Nelson. Workshop faculty includes Kim Addonizio, Judith Baumel, Dick Davis, Michael Donaghy, Rhina P. Espaillat, Dana Gioia, R.S. Gwynn, Rachel Hadas, David Mason, Robert McDowell, and Timothy Steele. Special guests include Richard Wilbur, Derek Attridge, and William Jay Smith. Conference fees include daily workshops and scholarly presentations, a banquet, daily socials, and meals and lodging. Workshop scholarships are available. Scholarship applications must be received by April 20, 200l. Michael Peich/Dana Gioia, co-directors. Contact Linda Colgan, coordinator, WCU Poetry Conference, Dept. of English, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383-2124-904; T: (610) 436-3235; E-mail: <poetry@wcupa.edu>; Web: <www. wcupa.edu/_ACADEMICS/sch_cas/poetry/> Deadline for abstracts: January 1, 2000.

West Chester, PA: June 6-9, 2001

SUBMIT A CONFERENCE ADVERTISEMENT

Yes, I would like to publicize my conference in the next issue of Linguaƒranca. (All conferences which run in the printed issue will automatically run on the web site (with your link if you like) until the next issue is up.)

Revisit some of the highlights of our first ten years.

Reports from the front lines of the revolution that's changing the way higher education works, every weekday at ubdaily.com.

If you have problems accessing or using any area of this site, please contact us at web@linguafranca.com.

Copyright © 2001 Lingua Franca, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sponsored by Seven Bridges Press