Transforming Diaspora (4/30/06; Book Collection)

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Eds. Parmita Kapadia and Robin Field

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Cultural studies has generated a re-evaluation of the long established =
tropes governing the diasporic condition. The emergence of various =
diasporas prompts a rethinking of the field to include the experiences =
of exiles, expatriots, refugees, migrants, tourists, as well as racial, =
religious, ethnic, and linguistic "Others." The existence of the =
diasporic state has been at the forefront of postcolonial scholarship =
for over a decade now, but this scholarship has mainly focused on the =
home/abroad binary. This collection of essays seeks to investigate the =
growing impact of the diasporic condition in light of recent studies in =
transnationalism, transculturalism, and globalization. How does the =
existence of a diasporic community figure into the politics of the =
nation-state? For longstanding diasporic communities, which place is =
home and which is exile? How is the diasporic identity constructed, =
particularly for later generations? How does the ascendancy of =
globalization co-opt diasporic concerns?

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Recent scholarship has only begun to explore the cultural impact of =
these historically marginalized individuals and communities. =
Diasporas-both established and emergent-are central and integral to =
colonial, postcolonial, and transnational studies, especially critical =
analyses of race, nationhood, modernity, identity, changes in economic =
and social structures, and ethnic, religious, political, and linguistic =
affiliation. Transforming Diaspora seeks to further our understanding =
and application of theories of diaspora through sustained engagement =
with the literature and culture of diasporic communities. What cultural =
practices challenge monolithic understandings of nationhood and instead =
gesture to a transnational ethos? What are the effects of multiple =
cultural inheritances on migrant populations? How does generational =
affiliation affect the formation of cultural practices and notions of =
citizenship? How are borders (of any sort) represented, critiqued, or =
exploded in diasporic literature?

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Building on the recent work by Arjun Appadurai, Paul Gilroy, Robin =
Cohen, Stuart Hall, Homi Bhabha, and Vijay Prashad, this collection =
seeks to redefine the composition, influence, and position of diasporas =
and their contested relationships with dominant cultures and discourses. =
We seek essays that are grounded in the literary texts and discourses of =
any diasporic community, including South Asian, African, Jewish, Latin =
American, Middle Eastern, etc. In discussing ideas of culture, =
citizenship, nationhood, race, transnationalism, etc., these essays =
should offer interpretations, extensions, and challenges to the current =
theoretical understandings of diaspora(s). We welcome submissions from =
diverse theoretical and critical approaches, particularly border =
cultures, literary transnationalism, race, film studies, colonial and =
postcolonialism.=20

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Please send detailed abstracts (1-2 pages) or full papers along with a =
short cv to Parmita Kapadia at kapadiap_at_nku.edu and Robin Field at =
ref4u_at_virginia.edu. Electronic submissions preferred or you may use the =
address below:

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Parmita Kapadia =
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Literature and Language Department =
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Northern Kentucky University =20

Nunn Drive =
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Highland Heights, KY 41099

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Received on Sat Feb 18 2006 - 10:18:10 EST