Black Studies – Sankofa Past, Present, and Future
12-13th April 2019
York College, City University of New York
CFP Deadline: 21 December 2018
Black Studies grew into an academic discipline in the wake of student protest at San Francisco State University in late 1968. By 1969, the wave that started in the Bay Area had spread throughout the nation’s State Colleges, Universities, and private Universities and Colleges with many creating their own Black Studies Departments. In that same year, the major Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) added their names to the list of institutions creating Black Studies departments. In the intervening years, various breakthroughs and challenges – both internal and external – marked the growth and shape of the discipline. As disinvestment in public education and higher education continues, it bears remembering why we have Black Studies and why it remains important in 21st Century America.
The New York African Studies Association wishes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Black Studies as an academic discipline by exploring its glorious past, present, and future. We invite scholars and both graduate and undergraduate students to submit individual papers, entire panels, or creative works/performances that focus on Black Studies specifically, as well as the theory, research, methodology, teaching, and public education issues that broadly address the theme of the conference and related aspects of the Black Global experience.
Themes include—but are not limited to—the following:
* Origins of Black Studies
* The Intellectual Traditions of Black Studies
* Black Studies Philosophy and Activism
* Epistemological Considerations in Black Studies: Evolution of Black Studies, Afro-American Studies, African American Studies, Pan-African Studies, African Studies, Africana Studies, Afrocentricity
* Black Studies Theories and Methodologies
* The State of Black Studies in K – 12 Education
* Black Studies of the Future—the Remainder of the 21st Century
* Black Studies and Language Challenges “What is in a name”: Race, Nigger, Coons, Negro, Colored People, Mulatto, Half Breed, Half Cast, Mixed Race, People of Color, Native American, Indian American, Sambo, Tribe, Tribal Head, Bantu, Pygmy, Bushmen, Hamitic, Semitic, Black Africa, Africa South of Sahara.
* Black Studies and Archeology of African Civilizations
* Black Studies and Social Sciences
* Black Studies and Humanities
* Black Studies and Performing Arts
* Black Studies and Visual Arts
* Nollywood
* Black Studies and Children’s Literature and Performing Arts
* Black Women Studies
* Black Gender Studies
* Black LGBTQ Studies
* Black Studies and the Sciences
* Black Studies and Architectural Studies
* Black Studies and Medicine / Health
* Black Studies, Mental Health, and Trauma
* Black Studies in Africa, Caribbean, Latin America
* Black Studies in Europe and Asia
* Black Studies and Religions / Spirituality
* Black Studies Resistance, Rebellion, and Revolution
* Black Studies and Information Technologies including Social Media
* Black Studies and Law Enforcement
* Black Studies and the Prison Industrial Complex
* Black Studies and the Military Industrial Complex
* Black Studies and Black Military Service in “The War on Terror”
* Black Studies and Black Genocide Studies
* Black Studies and African Organizations
* Black Studies and Latin American Organizations
* Black Studies and The African Diaspora
* Sanfoka, birds, Janus, and/or other symbols
* Geography, Space, Identity
Many other topics for papers will be considered—please submit your proposal. Proposals for promoting student participation are especially welcome.
NYASA, founded in 1967 as the SUNY African Studies Faculty Association, is a nonprofit membership association (incorporated as NYASA in 1975) dedicated to advancing the discipline of Africana Studies. NYASA is open to all with an interest in Africa and Africa’s Diaspora. As a regional organization, the New York African Studies Association promotes the visibility and advancement of the discipline in New York (and surrounding) States, offers opportunities for scholarly and professional development of educators, and provides enhanced education for community members, leaders, and activists.
By 21 December 2018 please send abstracts of not more than 150 words to the Local Organizing Committee at: nyasa2019@gmail.com
or submit by mail at
NYASA 2019 Organizing Committee c/o Cheikh M. Ndiaye
Associate Professor of French and Francophone Studies
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Union College
807 Union Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
Please suggest which sub-theme best fits your topic. Also, please specify if you will need media resources (e.g., Audio Visual Equipment) for your presentation.
If your proposal is accepted and you need documentation in addition to our standard email letter of acceptance (for obtaining a visa or travel funds), NYASA will provide this upon your request.
Check the NYASA Website for additional details on registration, lodging, transportation, and additional announcements and updates.
Above text adapted from email.
