CALL FOR PAPERS

AMERICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS 1997

MESTIZO MAINSTREAM: LONESTAR ETHNICITY AND THE NEW CENTURY

Predictions vary, but most agree that within ten years or so, by the year 2007, there will be no majority culture in Texas. Is scholarship adapting to the concept of the mainstream as mestizo--a mixture of peoples? How are scholars preparing for the new century?

The American Studies Association of Texas invites proposals for papers and discussions that will guide our understanding of the mestizo mainstream, especially in Texas. We encourage new findings in Texas history, ethnography, popular culture, oral history, and material culture. We would love to read and hear new ways of thinking about, seeing, and listening to Texas culture. Film and media studies, gay/lesbian studies, women's studies, African American, Asian American, and Latino/a studies, religion, military studies, environmental studies, literature, music, art, dance, and cultural studies are obvious areas to explore.

Please consider proposing a panel discussion as an alternative to formal paper presentations. Such a panel would propose a topic and four to five panelists prepared to engage each other in conversation for twenty to thirty minutes before opening the discussion to the audience. Topics concerning the academy and the profession in the new century might work especially well in this format.

We welcome other non-traditional formats, including performance and use of audio and video resources. We would also like to hold a special session on documentary expression and encourage proposals for papers or other presentations of a documentary nature, including exhibits and films.

Individual papers will be limited to twenty minutes. Proposals from graduate students are welcome.

Conference will be held at the University of Texas at San Antonio, downtown campus. November 20-22, 1997.

One-page abstracts and a one-page vita should be sent to: Dr. Gena Dagel Caponi, American Studies, Behavioral and Cultural Science, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249. Telephone: 210-458-5729; FAX: 210-458-5728. E-mail: gcaponi@lonestar.utsa.edu

Deadline: 15 July 1997