My Mind Words Paper [Search results for north africa literature] 

Deadline: 15 March 2012

Book Title: Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Prophet of God (2 volumes), Fitzpatrick, C. & Walker, A. (Eds.).

Publication: ABC-CLIO, a leading and well established publisher in academic and reference publications, is in the process of compiling a comprehensive two volume hard back Encyclopedia on Muhammad and his impact on world thought and culture. On its completion, the publication will enjoy wide circulation, particularly in North America and Europe.

The publisher also intends to place each entry on the renowned world religions database which is rapidly evolving into one of the most utilised online resource on the beliefs, cultures, and controversies of world religions.

Call: The editors are seeking interested scholars to prepare entries ranging from 500 to 2,000 words with a global perspective. All entries should both introduce the subject and discuss how it has been impacted by Muhammad in some way, shape, or form. The subject matter need not be limited to the life of Muhammad and can also include his impact up until the present day. Entries should target the undergraduate and non-specialist audience while forwarding the current scholarly research on each respected subject.

Listed below are the remaining entries accompanied by suggested word counts. The editors are particularly interested in thematic essay entries and would welcome proposals that are not included below. The publication has already attracted strong interest with commitments from over seventy scholars comprising some of the leading academics in the fields of Islamic and Near Eastern Studies. Contributors will be allocated a reasonable amount of time to submit entries.

Contact: If you are interested in contributing towards the volume ,or would like further information, please contact the editors via e-mail: fitzpaco@gvsu.edu

Entry List

• Tafsir & Ta’wil: 2,000 words
• Hadith: 1,500 words
• Fiqh: 1,000 words
• Creed: 1,000 words
• Prayer: 1,500 words
• Salvation: 750 words
• Forbidding Evil: 750 words
• Faith (Iman): 1,000 words
• Destiny (Qadr): 1,000 words
• Soul (Ruh): 750 words
• Charity: 1,000 words
• Knowledge: 1,500 words
• Logic (Kalam): 1,500 words
• Qadi: 500 words
• Muhammad as Depicted in Judaism: 1,000 words
• Education: 1,000 words
• Companions: 2,000 words
• Geography: 1,000 words
• Muhammad as Depicted in Shi'a Works: 2,000 words
• Sufi Works on Muhammad: 2,000 words
• Sufi Tariqas: spiritual links to Muhammad: 1000 words
• People of the Book: 750 words
• Chivalry (Futuwwah): 500 words
• Love (Hubb, 'Ishq, Wudd, etc.): 1,000 words
• Suluk: 750 words
• Inshad: 1,500 words
• Praise poetry: 2,000 words
• Orientalism: 1,000 words
• Islamic Finance: 1,000 words
• Waqf: 750 words
• Genealogy/Ahl al-Bayt/Sayyeds & Sharifs: 1,500 words
• Music: 1,500 words
• Sub-Saharan Africa Literature (Depiction of the Prophet): 2,000 words
• North Africa Literature (Depiction of the Prophet): 2,000 words
• Women: 2,000 words
• Durud: 1,000 words
• Byzantium Literature (Depiction of the Prophet): 1,000 words
• Mythology: 1,000 words
• Hilya: 1,000 words
• Sama': 750 words
• Children: 1,000 words

For inquiries: fitzpaco@gvsu.edu

For submissions: fitzpaco@gvsu.edu

Deadline: 15 July 2012

The work of writers of African heritage, whether they hail from the “old” or the “new” diaspora, has been known for its exceptional vigour and originality, and has unsurprisingly attracted the attention of scholars from all over the world. In recent years, however, criticism focusing on the production of artists from the old diaspora, either African American or Caribbean, has often examined these authors’ displaced identity in the Americas or in Europe at the expense of their African heritage and their perception of it. Even analyses of contemporary literary texts centring on the slave trade have more readily discussed writers’ representation of history than their engagement with Africa per se – the latter topic having seemingly lost the prominence that it once enjoyed in scholarly circles, as writers themselves appear to have less frequently chosen to place the continent of their ancestors at the centre of their fiction and poetry. Yet, in many cases, this African dimension still seems to play a significant role in the overall assessment and understanding of their works, and is therefore worthy of renewed critical attention.

African cultures and settings cannot be said to suffer comparable neglect in recent discussions of works by writers of the new diaspora, a category that broadly encompasses those who were born on the continent but left it either as children or as young adults. However, perhaps because these diasporic artists provide the bulk of the canon of contemporary African literatures, their perception of the continent of their birth has rarely been assessed through the lens of their geographical position, many critics preferring instead to emphasize globalizing trends or, conversely, to position diasporic artists, such as third-generation Nigerian writers, as the unproblematic heirs to the strategies of historical and cultural retrieval implemented by older Africa-based authors. Even though recent efforts have been made to circumscribe the specificity of the new diaspora’s artistic perceptions of Africa, the question still remains under-explored.

Taking our cue from Countee Cullen’s famous line – included in his 1925 poem “Heritage” – we would like to invite participants in this conference to address the diverse critical blind spots surrounding the representation of, and engagement with, Africa in the works of contemporary writers and artists from the old and the new diasporas. The questions and topics that could be addressed (either through close readings or theoretical contributions) include, but are not limited to:

- How is Africa represented in the diasporic imagination? Is it usually metaphorized or romanticized? Or, on the contrary, does it tend to be depicted in a realistic mode? Is the continent viewed as being trapped in a past marked by slavery and exploitation, or as being marred by a present of poverty and corruption? Do some diasporic artists unwillingly contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes about Africa as a monolithic whole?

- Is Africa still relevant to the artists of the old diaspora? Does it still shape their creative minds? Is “African diaspora” a pertinent discursive category when discussing Caribbean or African American artists?

- Conversely, is the concept of “African diaspora” established enough to provide a valid critical framework in the case of the new diaspora? Do diasporic artists from North, South, East and West Africa have a common external vantage point from which to appraise the country or continent of their birth? Or, on the contrary, does their geographical location seal their common estrangement from Africa?

- What are the differences or parallels in the representations of Africa found in the works of artists of the old and new diasporas on the one hand, and those who are based in Africa on the other?

- What is the role played by gender, class, generation and/or race in the way diasporic writers perceive the culture and the land of their ancestors?

- Are categories that include references to the African continent rather empowering or limiting? How so?

- What is the role played by academics, journalists, facilitators and publishers in the dissemination of the artistic production of the old and new diasporas? To what extent do these actors encourage strategies of (self-)exoticization? Do they favour selective canonization?

- How do new technologies, particularly the internet, shape the dialogue between artists of the old and new diasporas, and those residing in Africa? Are distinctions between writers based on the continent and overseas still relevant in the twenty-first century?

- What, if anything, does Africa expect from its diasporic writers? Are these artists entitled to criticize the continent they originate from, or are they expected to treat it with special consideration? In other words, do diasporic artists have any particular ethical duty?

We welcome proposals within the field of literature, but also film, music and visual arts. Abstracts for 20-minute papers should be about 200 words, and panel descriptions for 90-minute sessions about 700 words (overall description of the panel in about 100 words, plus three individual abstracts of about 200 words). Non-Anglophone and comparative approaches are most welcome, but all papers will be delivered in English.

Proposals should be sent by 15 July 2012 to africatomenow@gmail.com. A response will reach you by 15 August 2012.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: africatomenow@gmail.com

Website: http://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/africatomenow/

Deadline: 8 December 2011

The CASA Essay competition is held under the auspices of Akroterion: Journal of the Classics in South Africa, housed in the Department of Ancient Studies, University of Stellenbosch.

The intention of the competition is to encourage promising undergraduate and Honors students in Africa to pursue their interest in Classics. Essays on any aspect of Greek or Latin language or literature, or classical history or civilization may be submitted. The idea is that students should submit work done as part of their courses, but they may of course write specifically for the competition if they choose. Lecturers are kindly requested to bear this competition in mind when they consider that their students have submitted essays of suitable quality and encourage these students to submit their work for consideration.

The essays are judged by a panel consisting of three South African scholars: Dr Johan Cilliers (University of the Free State), Prof Peter Tennant (University of Kwa Zulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg) and Prof Marianne Dircksen (University of North West). The final editing and preparation of the essay for publication are done by the Essay Editor and the members of the Akroterion Editorial Committee.

The competition is open to undergraduates every year and to Honours students in even-numbered years only. Students who complete Honours in an odd-numbered year may submit essays for the open competition held the following year. Only one essay per candidate may be submitted per year; a prize winner may not compete in subsequent years of the competition.

Students from any university in Africa may submit entries. Essays may be in English or Afrikaans, and should not exceed 3 000 words in length (exceptions will only be made if space is available and if the quality of the work warrants this).

Essays submitted for the competition need not conform to the guidelines set out in the ‘Notes for Contributors' in Akroterion, but the author of the winning essay should be prepared to edit it, if so requested. Work may be typed, printed or hand-written although electronic versions will be much appreciated. The winning entry will be published in Akroterion. In addition, the winner as well as the runner-up will receive a cash prize. The prizes and the cost of publishing the essay are both sponsored by the CLASSICAL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA.

All entries should be sent to Dr Johan Cilliers, postmarked (or preferably emailed) not later than 8 December at the following address:

Dept. of English and Classical Languages (Internal box 28)
University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300
Tel. +27 (051) 436-8138
Fax. +27 (051) 448-3942
e-mail: jcillier@mweb.co.za

Please direct queries either to Dr Cilliers or to Dr Christoff Zietsman at the Department of Ancient Studies, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa. Telephone: +27 (021) 808-3142; fax: +27 (021) 808-3480; e-mail: jcz@sun.ac.za

Contact Information:

For inquiries: jcz@sun.ac.za

For submissions: jcillier@mweb.co.za

Website: http://academic.sun.ac.za/akroterion/akroguid.htm

Deadline: 1 June 2011

In an extension of the extremely successful symposium held at the University of Haute Alsace, France 18-20 March 2011, titled “Asian American Literature and Maxine Hong Kingston’s Legacy”, the University of Jendouba co-organizes with UHA an International Conference, titled “Science, Art, and Gender in The Global Rise of Indigenous Languages” to be held in Jendouba, 26-29 October 2011, paying homage to the Tunisian Revolution in January 2011 and honoring the presence, participation and related works of Noam Chomsky and Maxine Hong Kingston (on the usage board of The American Heritage Dictionary of The American Language). The aim of the conference is to address indigenous issues, while also remaining within the continuity of Maxine Hong Kingston’s gender-sensitive literature.

The encounter shall examine the contemporary rise of fully indigenous languages and dialects surviving up and through colonial, technological, mercantile, religious and other dominating languages. All suggestions in relation to these issues are welcome, though we are particularly interested in papers falling under the following panels:

-What makes an indigenous language indigenous?
-Legacy and residuals of indigenous languages from Britain to Brittany, Turkey to Tunisia, Algeria to America.
-Relationship between Arabic and Berber in North Africa.
-Gender issues and representations in literatures about indigenous languages and people.
-Indigenous resistance.
-The School of Genetic Linguistics/ Linguistic Genetics and new colonialism.
-The colonial language layers on indigenous linguistic treasures.
-Similarities between Algonquian Blackfoot and Cree with Hawaiian and Uto-Aztecan.
-Perils and promises of Indigenous languages of the Americas.

Confirmed speakers and paper-providers include Noam Chomsky (who will be at the conference by way of his paper, and possibly by way of a teleconferencing or skyping process), Maxine Hong Kingston, Louis Buff Parry, Yann Kerdiles, Sämi Ludwig, Edward Sklepowich, Mounir Triki, Abderrezak Dourari, Nessima Tarchouna, Leona Makokis/Leona Carter, Lynn Hannachi, Crystal S. Bull and Lewis Cardinal.

To submit a proposal, please email in a word format an abstract (150 words including the title) and a brief biography (50 words) ON or BEFORE June 1st to the following contacts:

-Louis Buff Parry: info@louisbuffparry.com
-Sihem Arfaoui Abidi: aa_sassou@yahoo.com

June 5th notification of selection.

October 24th complete papers.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: info@louisbuffparry.com or aa_sassou@yahoo.com

For submissions: info@louisbuffparry.com or aa_sassou@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.uj.rnu.tn/

The winners of the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize were announced today in Sydney in an exciting climax to this year's final programme. Critically acclaimed international literary titles for Best Book and Best First Book were awarded to:

Best Book Winner – The Memory of Love, Aminatta Forna (Sierra Leone)

The judges praised The Memory of Love for its risk taking, elegance and breadth. A poignant story about friendship, betrayal, obsession and second chances – the novel is an immensely powerful portrayal of human resilience. The judges concluded that The Memory of Love delicately delves into the courageous lives of those haunted by the indelible effects of Sierra Leone’s past and yet amid that loss gives us a sense of hope and optimism for their future. Forna has produced a bold, deeply moving and accomplished novel which confirms her place among the most talented writers in literature today.

Best First Book Winner – A Man Melting, Craig Cliff (New Zealand)

The judges chose this highly entertaining and thought provoking collection of short stories for their ambition, creativity and craftsmanship. Confidently blending ideas that frequently weave outlandish concepts with everyday incidents, the prose is skilfully peppered with social observations that define the world we live in. The eighteen short stories are truly insightful and amplify many of the absurdities around us, reflecting our own expectations, fears and paranoia on the big questions in life. This book is of the moment, and is rightly at home on a global platform. Cliff is a talent to watch and set to take the literary world by storm.

Now in its 25th year and supported by the Macquarie Group Foundation, Commonwealth Writers’ Prize is unique in offering both established and emerging writers the opportunity to showcase their work. The Best Book winner claims £10,000 while the writer of Best First Book wins £5,000.

For the last 25 years the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize has played a key role in unearthing new international literary names, bringing compelling stories of human experience to a wider audience. As highly acclaimed international authors Aminatta Forna and Craig Cliff will follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest names in modern fiction in winning the Prize, including Louis De Bernieres, Andrea Levy, Ian McEwan, and Zadie Smith.

For the fifth consecutive year the Macquarie Group Foundation, one of Australia’s leading philanthropic foundations, is helping to advance one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the world. With Macquarie’s support the prize has grown to reach more people around the world, encouraging wider reading across a range of Commonwealth cultures and rewarding the rising talent that other prizes often overlook.

Aminatta Forna was born in Glasgow, Scotland and raised in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Her first book, The Devil that Danced on the Water, was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize 2003. Her novel Ancestor Stones was winner of the 2008 Hurston Wright Legacy Award, the Literaturpreis in Germany, was nominated for the International IMPAC Award and selected by the Washington Post as one of the most important books of 2006. Aminatta lives in London.

Craig Cliff was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand. A graduate of Victoria University’s MA in creative writing, his short stories and poetry have been published in New Zealand and Australia. His short story 'Another Language' won the novice section of the 2007 BNZ Katherine Mansfield Awards. Craig lives in Wellington, New Zealand.

Commenting on the winning announcement, Danny Sriskandarajah Interim Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, said:

“I am delighted to congratulate, the winners of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 2011. In its 25th year, the Prize embodies the Commonwealth at its best. It unearths the best writing from across 54 countries, promoting dialogue and understanding on an international scale.”

Richard Sheppard, Chairman of the Macquarie Group Foundation, the supporter of the Prize, added:

"The Macquarie Group Foundation is delighted that two such diverse writers have won this year's Commonwealth Writers' Prize. For the last 25 years, the Prize has helped to bring writers to new global audiences and I'm sure once again that this year's winners will delight and inspire readers and writers around the world."

Nicholas Hasluck, Chair of the judging panel said:

“This year’s winning books demonstrate the irreducible power of the written word at a time of rapid global change and uncertainty. The standard of entries this year has been exceptional, showcasing work with strong insight, spirit and voice introducing readers to unfamiliar worlds.”

The regional prize winners are:

Africa:

Best Book: The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (Sierra Leone)
Best First Book: Happiness is a four-letter word by Cynthia Jele (South Africa)

Caribbean and Canada:

Best Book: Room by Emma Donoghue (Canada)
Best First Book: Bird Eat Bird by Katrina Best (Canada)

South Asia and Europe:

Best Book: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (UK)
Best First Book: Sabra Zoo by Mischa Hiller (UK)

South East Asia and Pacific:

Best Book: That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott (Australia)
Best First Book: A Man Melting by Craig Cliff (New Zealand)

Contact Information:

Website: http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/

Deadline: 10 March 2012

This panel seeks papers that examine/theorize LGBTIQ issues in African literatures and film. Africa, here, includes North and Sub-Saharan Africa. Especially welcome are papers that explore how recent political events and controversies—in Cameroon, Malawi, Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana—produce new sites of reading or demand new agendas for deciphering the complexities of African “queer” s3xualities.

Please send 300-word abstracts and CV to Taiwo Adetunji Osinubi at: taiwo.adetunji.osinubi(at)umontreal.ca by March 10.

For list of possible topices, click here.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: taiwo.adetunji.osinubi(at)umontreal.ca

For submissions: taiwo.adetunji.osinubi(at)umontreal.ca

Website: http://www.mla.org/convention