Call for Papers: Hearing Israel: Music, Culture, and History at 60
Call for Papers—Hearing Israel: Music, Culture and History at 60 University of Virginia April 13-14, 2008
As the State of Israel approaches the sixtieth anniversary of its founding in the spring of 2008, academic scholarship continues to focus primarily on its political life, religious and ethnic diversity, and foreign policy. Much less attention has been devoted to the cultural life of Israeli society and its impact on evolving Israeli identities across generations. One of the most dynamic yet least studied spheres of Israeli culture to emerge in the six decades since statehood is its music, ranging from the worlds of pop music, rock, rap, and musikah mizrahit to classical, religious, and ethnic traditions. To examine these questions, the University of Virginia will host an historic international conference on Israeli music on April 13 and 14, 2008.
Please send proposals or inquiries via e-mail or post to:
Prof. James Loeffler and/or Prof. Joel Rubin
Jewish Studies Program
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400126
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4126
www.virginia.edu/jewishstudies
This conference aims to generate an interdisciplinary exploration of Israeli music from the multiple perspectives of ethnomusicology, history, sociology, literature, and cultural studies, among others. We invite all specialists in Israeli, Arabic, and Jewish culture to submit proposals for papers on topics related to music in Israel, broadly defined. Both historical and contemporary perspectives are welcome.
Featured thematic rubrics for the conference include the role of music in national identity and nationalism among Israeli Jews and Palestinian citizens of Israel, the changing relationship between religion and secularism, popular culture and political ideology, and the evolution of musikah mizrahit in Israeli society. Along with the academic component of the programming, the conference will also feature two concert performances by major Israeli artists.
Proposals for papers should include names of participants with a brief c.v. and a 250-350 word abstract. The Jewish Studies Program at the University of Virginia will provide meals and discounted lodging for conference participants.
Deadline for submission: October 15, 2007
Please send proposals or inquiries via e-mail or post to:
Prof. James Loeffler and/or Prof. Joel Rubin
Jewish Studies Program
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400126
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4126
www.virginia.edu/jewishstudies