ASPAC Call For Submissions

The 2005 Annual Conference Asian Studies on the Pacific Coast
Jointly hosted by Foundation for Indic Philosophy and Culture, and Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, California June 17-19, 2005
Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali and Kuan-yin: Metaphors for Change

Submission deadline: Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Asian Studies on the Pacific Coast (ASPAC) arranges the regional conference of the national organization, the Association for Asian Studies (AAS). We welcome all members of the AAS, especially participants from colleges and universities in states located along the Pacific Rim. Scholars from Europe and Asia are also invited to attend. We encourage submission of papers and presentations on all aspects of Asian Studies, regardless of discipline or regional specialization.

This year's theme of change in Asia takes as metaphors the deities Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali and Kuan-yin. These deities are traditionally associated with wealth, wisdom, power and compassion, respectively, but they can also be seen as symbols of contemporary situations in Asia. They underscore the importance of women's movements in present-day Asia and also remind us of the role religion plays in everyday life throughout the region.

ASPAC is very pleased to have both the Foundation for Indic Philosophy and Culture and the School of Religion at Claremont Graduate University serve as hosts for the conference. Their sponsorship is reflected in the focus of the conference themes. For the 2005 conference in Claremont, we particularly encourage submissions in the following categories:

The role of religion in society, particularly the impact of religion in all aspects of life in Asia today. The evolving roles and status of women; the significance of the
burgeoning literature on women in Asia. The traditional, wide-ranging interests of scholars in every area of Asian studies for which ASPAC is noted. Proposals for the 2005 conference should be prepared in one of the following formats:

1. Complete proposals (three presenters and their paper titles, plus discussant)

2. Individual paper proposals

3. Round table discussions and poster sessions

Paper and poster session proposals must include presenter's name, institutional affiliation, paper title, and a brief synopsis. Panel proposals must additionally include the name and affiliation of the moderator and/or discussant.

Graduate students should include a statement of support from their supervising professor. All graduate students are encouraged to enter the competition for the Esterline Prize for the outstanding graduate paper and should review the Esterline page on the ASPAC website before submitting a proposal.

Submission deadline for all proposals is Tuesday, March 15, 2005. Please submit your paper/panel proposals on the electronic forms provided on the ASPAC 2005 Website (http://www.aspac.info)

Queries, preferably via email, should be directed to:

Deepak Shimkhada, Ph.D., Conference Chair
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Claremont McKenna College
850 Columbia Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711
Email: deepak.shimkhada@claremontmckenna.edu
Tel: 909-607-9362, Fax: 909-607-8419

Dedicated conference telephone & fax:
Tel: 909-607-9592
Fax: 909-607-9587

ASPAC 2005 Conference highlights include:

Tour of the Exhibition of Asian Art from the Permanent Collection of Scripts College
Attendance at the Exhibition reception
Participation in a cultural program, sponsored by the Indic Foundation
Reception at the home of CGU president