CALL FOR PAPERS!
6th Annual South Florida Latin American and
Caribbean Studies Graduate Student Conference
Florida Atlantic University
Friday, April 4, 2008
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Latin American and Caribbean
Graduate Students Conference

What started as a joint effort between the University of Miami and Florida International University has expanded to include the greater South Florida region. The 5th Annual Latin American and Caribbean Studies Graduate Student Conference welcomed students from both Florida Atlantic University and Nova Southeastern University in hopes of a partnership that would go well beyond the University classroom. With well over 20 participants, the Graduate Student Conference not only provided a great learning experience but also a time to share with fellow students and faculty and generate ideas for further research. Beyond academics, the Conference was ultimately a celebration of Latin American identity and the many things that make Latin America and the Caribbean unique.

Held at the University of Miami ’s Wesley Gallery , the Graduate Student Conference consisted of six different panels with topics ranging from immigration to music, film and even archeology. At times the room seemed unable to hold all the spectators present. Around lunchtime Os Desafinados, a band composed of UM’s Ariel Gutierrez, Dionisio Marquez and Edwin Murillo played a repertoire of Bossa Nova, chanson francaise and boleros. The ambiance was relaxed as people socialized, listened to the calming music and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Graduate Student Assistant Michaela Sachs and Dr. Elena Sabogal from the Center for Latin American Studies thanked each one of the participants and those present throughout the conference. They also announced the prize winners: Joseph Holbrook and Ericka Edwards from FIU; Kimberly Hamilton and Teresa Frontado from UM; and Walteria Tucker from FAU.

Students across all of South Florida are united under their shared interest in the Latin America and Caribbean region. There was even talk that FAU was willing to host the conference next year. A success of this magnitude brings hope for future Graduate Student Conferences.

The winners were as follows:

1st place:
“Un negro para la nación: raza y nación en las obras de Alejo Carpentier y Jacques Roumain” – Walteria Tucker, Florida Atlantic University

“An African Tree Produces White Flowers: Black Consciousness in the Afro-Argentine Community During the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries”
– Erika D. Edwards, Florida International University

2nd place:
“Ana Isabel, una niña decente: Female Honor and Beauty in early
Twentieth Century Venezuela”
– Teresa Frontado, University of Miami

“Church, State, and Political Culture in Brazil and Colombia ”
– Joseph Holbrook, Florida International University

3rd place:
“Mostly Mexican: Latino Immigration in the Nuevo South”
– Kimberly Hamilton, University of Miami

 

The 2008 Graduate Student Conference will be held on Friday, March 28, 2008. Deadline for paper submissions will be early in the Fall 2008 Semester, so stay tuned for more information!!

**Paper contest will be open to all disciplines
**Each paper should be approximately 15-30 pages
**No co-authored papers will be accepted
**Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three prizes!!