CFP: Theorizing the Asian American Literary Labyrinth (12/15/06; ALA/CAALS, 5/24/06-5/27/06)

full name / name of organization:

Stephen H. Sohn

contact email:

stephen.h.sohn@gmail.com

The Asian American Literary Labyrinth: Theorizing Disciplinary Boundaries
(American Literature Association/Circle of Asian American Literary Studies)

The topic of this standing panel derives from the exponential growth in
Asian American literary productions over the last half century and the
ongoing need to understand how these texts function within the framework of
ethnic and Asian American Studies. This panel seeks to engage what literar=
y
critic Susan Koshy has marked as a limitation in Asian American literary
studies. That is, "Although substantial historical scholarship has been
produced, the field has been weak in theoretical work=85. The lack of
significant theoretical work has affected its development and its capacity
to address the stratifications and differences that constitute its
distinctness within ethnic studies" (316) (Fiction, 1997). Consequently,
the Circle of Asian American Literary Studies solicits conference paper
proposals which address theoretical conceptions of Asian American
Literature. Papers might investigate: how the field must be reconstructed
or redefined through discursive intersectionalities with queer studies,
gender studies, class studies, postethnic theory; area studies, diaspora,
transnationalism, globalization, and/or postcolonialism; authors/works
which arguably fall out of disciplinary boundaries and/or authors/works
which have spawned debates within the field (e.g. Ha Jin's *Waiting*,
Chang-rae Lee's *Aloft*, Angel Island poetry, Lois-Ann Yamanaka's *Blu's
Hanging*, among others); canon formation in Asian American literary studies
and its East Asian centered focus; poststructuralist discourses which
de-stabilize essentialist Asian American literary definitions ("real vs.
fake"); conceptions of ethnic/racial heritage and mixed-race within Asian
American literature; the possibility of Asian American literature being
produced by writers of non-Asian descent (e.g. David Guterson's *Snow
Falling on Cedars*, Deborah Iida's *Middle Son*); regionalism in Asian
American literature (South Asia/East Asia/Southeast Asia).

Please send an abstract of 250-500 words, accompanied by an abbreviated 1
page C.V., to Stephen.H.Sohn_at_gmail.com by December 15, 2006. All
queries concerning the panel are welcome and may be forwarded to the same
e-mail.

American Literature Association Annual Conference/ Circle of Asian American
Literary Studies

May 24-27

Boston, MA

Stephen Hong Sohn

Postdoctoral Fellow

University of California, Irvine

--------=_Part_52423_9756493.1162856124369Content-Type: text/html; charset=WINDOWS-1252Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printableContent-Disposition: inlineThe Asian American Literary Labyrinth:  Theorizing Disciplinary Boundaries (American Literature= Association/Circle of Asian American Literary Studies) <f=ont face=3D"Times New Roman">The topic of this standing panel derives from =the exponential growth in Asian American literary productions over the last= half century and the ongoing need to understand how these texts function w=ithin the framework of ethnic and Asian American Studies.  This panel seeks to engage =what literary critic Susan Koshy has marked as a limitation in Asian Americ=an literary studies.  That is=, "Although substantial historical scholarship has been produced, the field= has been weak in theoretical work=85. The lack of significant theoretical =work has affected its development and its capacity to address the stratific=ations and differences that constitute its distinctness within ethnic studi=es" (316) (Fiction, 1997).  Consequently, the Circle of= Asian American Literary Studies solicits conference paper proposals which =address theoretical conceptions of Asian American Literature.  Papers might investigate:&n=bsp; how the field must be reconstructed or redefined through discur=sive intersectionalities with queer studies, gender studies, class studies,= postethnic theory; area studies, diaspora, transnationalism, globalization=, and/or postcolonialism;  authors/works which arguabl=y fall out of disciplinary boundaries and/or authors/works which have spawn=ed debates within the field (e.g. Ha Jin's Waiting, Chang-rae Lee's Aloft=, Angel Island poetry, Lois-Ann Yamanaka's Blu's Hanging, among others); canon formation in Asian Ame=rican literary studies and its East Asian centered focus; poststructuralist= discourses which de-stabilize essentialist Asian American literary definit=ions ("real vs. fake"); conceptions of ethnic/racial heritage and mixed-rac=e within Asian American literature; the possibility of Asian American liter=ature being produced by writers of non-Asian descent (e.g. David Guterson's Snow Falling= on Cedars, Deborah Iida's Mid=dle Son); regionalism in Asian American literature (South Asia/East Asi=a/Southeast Asia).   Please send an abstract of 250-500 words, accompanied by an abbrev=iated 1 page C.V., to Stephen.H.Sohn_at_gmail.com by Decemb=er 15, 2006.   All queries concerning the panel are welcome and =may be forwarded to the same e-mail.   American Literature Association Annual Conference/ Circle of Asian= American Literary StudiesMay 24-27 Boston, MA  Stephen Hong SohnPostdoctoral FellowUniversity of California, Irvine  -- ------=_Part_52423_9756493.1162856124369--Received on Sun Nov 12 2006 - 23:45:31 EST

cfp categories:

ethnicity_and_national_identity

By web submission at 11/13/2006 - 09:45

cfp.english.upenn.edu

categories

administration

CFP: Theorizing the Asian American Literary Labyrinth (12/15/06; ALA/CAALS, 5/24/06-5/27/06)