Department of Anthropology Symposium, University of Sydney
Theme and goals
In the present period of political instability and uncertainty, symbols of community and faction have regained public presence as tools for political manoeuvring and mobilisation. This is very noticeable in the abrupt resurgence of national symbols in the public sphere of many countries (for instance, national flags have suddenly become indispensible in the activities of some political actors, and the celebration national days is regaining [often polarising] public attention). But this phenomenon is also easily identifiable in many other expressions of political activity, ranging from struggles around the maintenance/removal of previously established symbols of community and/or faction (such as mausoleums or statues of political figures in public spaces) to the creation of new material symbols that facilitate collective identification and mobilisation.
We believe that these symbolic battlegrounds beg for a re-examination of important questions about political behaviour and communication, but also about the shaping of contemporary democracies and the power struggles of the future.
Against this general background, this Symposium pursues two interrelated goals: a) generate grounds for transdisciplinary insights into a research field that attracts scholars from all the social sciences; b) facilitate new insights into a topic to which anthropologists have made foundational contributions.
Call for papers
We welcome paper proposals that address the Symposium theme and seek to establish a dialogue with its main goals. Proposals that draw from anthropological perspectives and ethnographic work are particularly welcome, but more broadly we are interested in proposals from scholars from any disciplinary background who can make contributions (empirical and/or theoretical) to this discussion.
How to submit proposals
Proposals must include the following details: Title (30 words max.) – Abstract (250 words max.) – Name of author/s (co-authored proposals are welcome) – Email address of author/s – Institutional affiliation (if any).
Proposals MUST be emailed to symposium convener Luis Angosto-Ferrandez by 30 April at luis.angosto-ferrandez@sydney.edu.au
Details
1-2 October, 2020 9:00am – 6:00pm University of Sydney
Cost General – $40Student/unemployed – $20
Registration includes certification of attendance (when requested); access to all regular and plenary sessions, and to the roundtable; and morning and evening teas/refreshments, if the event is presential.
Organisers
Dr Luis Angosto Ferrandez: luis.angosto-ferrandez@sydney.edu.au
Dr Robbie Peters: robbie.peters@sydney.edu.au
Important dates
Call for papers closes: 30 April 2020
Letters of acceptance: 8 May 2020
Registration opens: 11 May 2020
Registration closes: 29 May 2020
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