The LAIC conference committee is delighted to invite you to submit proposals to the 7th Liberal Arts International Conference (LAIC) which will take place in Doha, Qatar on March 23 – 25, 2019. The main theme of the conference is Liberal Arts in the Global Age: Changing Winds and Shifting Sands. Our aim is to shed light on the role of the Liberal Arts in dynamic and changing contexts. We welcome submissions from diverse and international contexts, with priority given to proposals that investigate topics related to Qatar and the Gulf region. We also invite submissions that address the main theme, one of the subthemes below, or any other topic which relates to liberal arts in the global age.
Conference Subthemes
- English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI)
- Translanguaging
- Language Policy and Planning
- Language and Identity
- Intercultural Communication
- Multilingual and Multicultural Education
- Technical Writing and Rhetoric
- Writing across the Curriculum
- Comparative Institutional Analysis
- Comparative Political Theory
- Data Issues and Political Analysis
- International Institutions and Regimes
- Foreign Policy and the Gulf
- Oral History
- Preserving Indigeneity
- Art history
- Cultural Anthropology
- Historic Preservation
- Creating a Useable Past
Confirmed Keynote Speakers:
Claire Kramsch, University of California at Berkeley
Confirmed Invited Speakers:
Abdelwahab El-Affendi, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and University of Westminster
Important Dates
September 20, 2018: Proposals submission deadline
November 20, 2018: Proposals acceptance notification
December 30, 2018: Presenter’s confirmation deadline
January 9, 2019: Online registration
March 23 – 25, 2019: Conference dates
Proposals should be submitted online at http://laic.qatar.tamu.edu/submission/ by September 20, 2018.
When submitting your proposal, please indicate the relevant sub-theme(s) the proposal fits under. You will also need to select the type of presentation and below is a description of the five types*.
Paper Presentation (45 minutes): A paper presentation is a research-oriented session in which the presenter(s) share a summary of their major findings with the audience. Proposals should include the rationale for the presentation, the theoretical and methodological background of the research, a brief description of the literature review, and the major conclusion(s) of the paper.
Workshop (75 minutes): A workshop is a practical, hands-on, and interactive professional development activity addressing a specific teaching or research technique. Proposals should include the rationale of the workshop, goals, a brief description of the theoretical grounding, the different tasks and procedures which will be completed by the audience, and the outcomes of the workshop.
Panel (90 minutes): Panels can be facilitated by 3-5 individuals who will discuss and present multiple papers on a current issue in the liberal arts. Panelists are encouraged to consult the conference’s sub-themes for a possible selection of an issue. The proposal should include a synopsis of the issue(s) and a plan for the topic and for each presentation. It should be well-written with a clear indication of the theoretical, methodological, and practical underpinnings of the issue(s). The leader of the panel should submit the proposal and she/he should recruit panelists prior to the submission of the proposal.
Dialogue (45 minutes): Dialogues can be facilitated by 1-2 presenters who will engage the audience in a lively discussion about a hot and current topic in the liberal arts. The proposal should give a general overview of the issue(s), a strong rationale for the importance of the topic and why it lends itself to discussion, sample of the intended discussion topics/questions as well as a statement on how the presenter(s) intend to involve the audience in a lively discussion.
Poster Session (60 minutes): Posters should provide a summary of research or any other academically sound and creative projects in the liberal arts. The work should be presented in a visually engaging format using charts, graphs, maps, photos, etc. The proposal should include a description of the visuals included in the poster and must also describe the theory, methods, and practical considerations of the issue(s) presented in the poster. Presenters should come prepared to give a brief and effective oral presentation (5 – 10 minutes) to conference participants who will be visiting their posters.
More information will be available on the conference’s website http://laic.qatar.tamu.edu/ If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at LAIC@qatar.tamu.edu.
*Session types are adapted from http://www.tesol.org/attend-and-learn/international-convention/tesol-2019-call-for-proposals/tesol-2019-session-types
Conference Committee: Aymen Elsheikh, Sara Hillman, Zohreh Eslami, Troy Bickham, Phillip W. Gray
Conference Staff: Khadija ElCadi, Olena Snitko