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Call for Papers: 2005 Annual Conference of the Historical Society of Ghana, 08/05


CALL FOR PAPERS

2005 Annual Conference of the Historical Society of Ghana

8 - 13 August 2005

Accra International Conference Centre

Theme:

Linking the Present to the Past:
Reflections on a Half Century of Independence

Introduction
The Historical Society of Ghana invites scholars to submit paper proposals for consideration by the Planning Committee of the 2005 Annual Conference. The theme, "Linking the Present to the Past: Reflections on a Half Century of Independence," was selected to stimulate discussion amongst presenters and to coincide with special panels and workshops planned for the conference. However, the organization welcomes proposals from scholars in all disciplines covering all historical periods and topics related to Ghana. Papers which have broader significance to African history will be considered, too.

Elaboration of the theme
As Ghana nears the fiftieth anniversary of its return to independence on March 6, 1957, the Historical of Society of Ghana has decided to devote its 2005 Annual Conference to reflecting on Ghana's recent history as well as the history of Ghanaian history. Thus, papers focusing on topics related to postcolonial Ghana and the field of Ghanaian history are especially welcome.

The major themes of the conference are:

  • the legacy of colonialism
  • Pan-Africanism and the African diaspora
  • postcolonial political history
  • development issues in historical perspective
  • health and education in recent history
  • traditional institutions in the postcolonial state
  • new methodological approaches to African history
  • the origins and development of Ghanaian historiography

Conference highlights
In addition to paper presentations, the Planning Committee is organizing a number of special talks and events in conjunction with the conference:

  • Workshops on Ghanaian historiography and methodology
  • Works-in-progress roundtable featuring leading scholars
  • 70th birthday celebration in honor of Professor Addo-Fenning of the Department of History at the University of Ghana
  • Keynote address by Professor Irene Odotei, former Director of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana
  • Excursions to historic sites related to Ghana's independence

The conference fee is $40 for participants (Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian). The fee includes participation in all conference activities, local transportation, and meals. Airfare, accommodations, and other expenses are not included. Accommodations for individual participants can be arranged by the conference organizers by request.

Proposal guidelines
Proposals should consist of a one-page synopsis of the paper, describing the topic, the nature and extent of the research, and a brief summary of the argument(s). Proposals should include the submitter's name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact information (email address, telephone, and fax).

Scholars in Ghana should submit their proposal as an email attachment to Mr. Ebenezer Ayesu of the University of Ghana at asafo@ghana.com or deliver a copy on diskette to the office of the Historical Society of Ghana at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana.

Scholars outside Ghana should send their proposal as an email attachment to Dr. Dennis Laumann of The University of Memphis at dlaumann@memphis.edu.

Proposals are due by March 31, 2005. Final versions of papers accepted for presentation will be due by May 31, 2005.

In keeping with the tradition of the Historical Society of Ghana, all papers adjudged worthy will be published in the 2005 edition of Transactions of the Historical Society of Ghana.

Dr. Dennis Laumann
The University of Memphis
Member of the 2005 Planning Committee

--
Dennis Laumann, Ph.D
Assistant Professor of African History Director, Ghana Study Abroad Program
Department of History
The University of Memphis
Memphis TN 38152-3450 USA

phone: 901-678-3392
fax: 901-678-2720
office: 139 Mitchell Hall
email: dlaumann@memphis.edu
website: http://www.people.memphis.edu/~dlaumann/




Page Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.

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