[KS] Call for Papers: the 2010 NAJAKS Conference in Helsinki, Aug 19-21

[Antti Leppanen]

Call for Papers:

NAJAKS  (Nordic Association of Japanese and Korean Studies) 2010 Conference

The 8th Conference of NAJAKS: Bridging Japan and Korea:
August 19 -21, 2010
Helsinki, Finland

http://www.najaks.org

Japan and Korea have long historical relations of interaction and
entanglement. However, recent history has been overshadowed by the
Japanese colonial rule of Korea (1910-1945), Korea’s partition (1948)
and the Korean War (1950-1953). It is only in the post-Cold War
context that the attempts at the reconciliation of political,
historical and cultural issues on various levels – governmental,
semi-governmental, academic, civil, popular and grass-roots – have
become possible in Japan and Korea. The political, social, cultural as
well as other issues related to Japan and Korea are by no means
peripheral or particular on the world map. On the contrary, they raise
a number of critical questions concerning, for example, modernity,
colonialism, post-colonialism, militarism, the nation-state, the Cold
War and the post-Cold War era. The histories of Japan and Korea are
entangled in complex and ironical manners not only within East Asia
but also in the larger modern world order. Therefore, the studies on
Japanese and Korean experiences, their interrelation, tension,
conflict and attempts at reconciliation provide a vantage point to
examine critical issues that are relevant for broader subjects as
well.

We invite abstracts from scholars in various stages of their career
and students, among others. The presentation topic does not have to be
exactly on the theme. Broadly related topics are also welcomed.

Keynote Speaker is Professor Seungsook Moon, Vassar College, USA.

There is no conference fee, however, participants are responsible for
their own travel costs and accommodation.

The conference consists of six sections and conveners are indicated
below with e-mail addresses:

1. Social and political sciences (Antti Leppänen, antti.leppanen at gmail.com)
2. Cultural studies and anthropology (Mikako Iwatake,
mikako.iwatake at helsinki.fi)
3  History (Mikako Iwatake)
4. Literature (Miika Pölkki, miika.polkki at helsinki.fi)
5. Linguistics (Jeong-Yong Kim, jeong-yong.kim at helsinki.fi)
6. Teaching Japanese and Korean languages (Jeong-Yong Kim)

Please send an abstract (500-800 words) with a brief biography or CV
(maximum 1 page) in an e-mail attachment to the convener by March
10th, 2010. We will inform applicants about our decision around March
20th, 2010.

For further information, please contact Mikako Iwatake, University of Helsinki.
http://www.najaks.org

-- 
Antti Leppänen
Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Researcher
Social and Cultural Anthropology
University of Helsinki
+358-9-191 22962 (desk) / +358-41-528 6256 (mobile)