CROSSING BORDERS: HISTORIES, THEORIES AND IDENTITIES:
An Interdisciplinary Conference hosted by the Centre for Border
Studies and the Centre for Comparative European History, Free
University of Berlin and Humboldt
Thursday 2nd - Saturday 4th December, 2004
at the Glamorgan Business Centre, University of Glamorgan,
Pontypridd, Wales, UK

                            Call for Papers
Borders often appear as fixed, quasi-permanent structures,
physical embodiments of national evolution and international
relations. Viewed in this sense, each has a distinct history, from
the maritime margins of British Isles to the trenches, fortresses
and battlefields which lie along the French-German border. Recent
economic and cultural developments, however, are challenging
these previously secure markers. What will be the fate of national
borders in a world which promises the free exchange of goods and
services, yet insists on the strict control of migrants, refugees and
travellers?
         Under these new conditions, borders cease to be simple
markers of national histories. New forms of border develop: dividing
lines between languages, ethnic groups, in and outs, the static and
the mobile. The experience of crossing a border has changed
quality, no longer resembling a page from history book, but -
arguably - taking on the form of a psychological or cultural event,
perhaps better explained by a novelist than a historian.
This conference aims to create a dialogue between
historians and specialists in the new discipline of Border Studies.
Plenary sessions will present contributions from the main
disciplines associated with Border Studies - Political Science,
Geography, Psychology, Anthropology - and reflect on the validity
of the concept of borders as historical embodiments of power
structures. Alternative models by which to understand borders will
be debated. In turn, historians will be asked to provide case studies
of both the changing nature of borders and their changing
representations. Plenary speakers at concluding sessions will draw
together some provisional conclusions.

         Papers are invited on the following topics:
BorderStudies: past, present and future
BorderStudies: implications for the nation-state
Beforeand after borders: frontiers, marches and walls
Borders,wars and international conflicts
Partitions:creating borders and states
Thechanging nature of state borders in the modern world
Newborders: language, religion, ethnicity,
GenderingBorder Studies
`TheClash of Civilizations'? - Previous models and present realities
The organizers would also welcome papers on any other related topics. Paper proposals (deadline 30 June) should be a maximum of 300 words and be accompanied by a brief curriculum vitae.
Please contact

Professor Chris Williams,
         Centre for Border Studies,
         School of Humanities,
         University of Glamorgan,
         Pontypridd,
         CF37 1DL,
         Wales,
         United Kingdom.

         Email: cwilli16@...
         Tel: 00 44 (0)1443 483692

www.glam.ac.uk/hass/research/border/