Transpacific Studies Conference: Homelands, Diasporas and the Movement of Populations

When: 04.02.2010 - 04.03.2010
Location: SOS B-40
This conference brings together U.S., Asian, and European scholars to examine the phenomenon of Transpacific displacement. Organized by the Center for Transpacific Studies at USC, this conference advances a new kind of research paradigm, a dynamic model that goes beyond conventional area and American studies models. Transpacific Studies shifts the focus from an anchored, traditional view of area studies to one more attuned to the great movements of people, resources and materials over the past century. Transpacific Studies focuses on the diasporic and blended identities of people who cross the Pacific, including not only immigrants but dual citizens, “flexible” citizens, refugees, and exiles, all of whom are accompanied by the transnational movement of ideas, languages, and cultural expressions as well as forms of social and economic capital.

The conference organizers, Janet Hoskins and Viet Thanh Nguyen, decided on a nontraditional format for the conference. Instead of one keynote speaker, they have invited seven, recognizing the national and international reputations of these speakers, most of whom are coming great distances to attend. The keynote speakers will give full papers and answer questions. The panelists will have their papers available in advance and will summarize their papers briefly, followed by a response from a keynote speaker and an audience discussion.

The conference is funded with additional support from Asian American Studies and the Center for International Studies.

For attendees not speaking at the conference, please RSVP to Huong Ninh for attendance and for breakfast and lunch (ninh@usc.edu).

Schedule

Participant Biographies

Flyer (Please feel free to distribute)

Past Visions & Voices event, January 23, 2010:
Dreaming of Peace: Vietnamese Filmmakers Move from War to Reconciliation

This conference brings together U.S., Asian, and European scholars to examine the phenomenon of Transpacific displacement. Organized by the Center for Transpacific Studies at USC, this conference advances a new kind of research paradigm, a dynamic model that goes beyond conventional area and American studies models. Transpacific Studies shifts the focus from an anchored, traditional view of area studies to one more attuned to the great movements of people, resources and materials over the past century. Transpacific Studies focuses on the diasporic and blended identities of people who cross the Pacific, including not only immigrants but dual citizens, “flexible” citizens, refugees, and exiles, all of whom are accompanied by the transnational movement of ideas, languages, and cultural expressions as well as forms of social and economic capital.

The conference organizers, Janet Hoskins and Viet Thanh Nguyen, decided on a nontraditional format for the conference. Instead of one keynote speaker, they have invited seven, recognizing the national and international reputations of these speakers, most of whom are coming great distances to attend. The keynote speakers will give full papers and answer questions. The panelists will have their papers available in advance and will summarize their papers briefly, followed by a response from a keynote speaker and an audience discussion.

The conference is funded with additional support from Asian American Studies and the Center for International Studies.

For attendees not speaking at the conference, please RSVP to Huong Ninh for attendance and for breakfast and lunch (ninh@usc.edu).

Center for Transpacific Studies Website

Participant Information