The World History Association, in conjunction with Pannasastra University of Cambodia, is issuing a last call for papers for a symposium on the world-historical significance of Southeast Asia. The deadline has been extended to assist those submitting papers at the commencement of their fall term: more than 50 papers have already been received. The symposium seeks to generate dialog among scholars within and outside of the region regarding its place in world history. It also seeks to stimulate discussion of world history methodology as well as pedagogy while identifying those world history processes that have application to the region’s past, present and future.

Among the topics that may be addressed at the symposium are: the nature of world history; the processes of indigenization, localization, and syncretism; the decline and fall of classical societies; Diaspora and gender studies; the colonial experience; nationalism; conflict and post-conflict studies; trade; economy; language, religion and culture; art; regional questions in global perspective such as borderlands; regional diplomatic relations; investment, tourism and resource management issues; the environment; comparative genocide; and models for World History and global studies in terms of scholarship and instruction. These topics are examples only and should not be taken to exclude proposals on other topics. Scholars from all disciplines are encouraged to submit proposals. Select refereed papers from the symposium will be published in the e-journal World History Connected (University of Illinois Press) and a book project is planned to which attendees will be encouraged to submit contributions to be considered for publication.

The symposium will be held minutes from the Archeological Conservation Area that includes Angkor Wat. Pre/post and concurrent symposium activities will be structured so as to permit tours of these and other local sites which connect them to the wider region and the world.

Panels will meet in air conditioned rooms on the newly-built PUC Siem Reap campus. The time limit for presenting papers will be 20 minutes, and the deadline for submitting papers to the session moderator is three weeks in advance of the symposium. Individual paper proposals must include a 100-200 word summary with the title of the paper, name, institutional affiliation, e-mail address, phone and fax numbers, and brief curriculum vitae, all integrated into a single file, preferably in MS-Word. Proposals for entire sessions or panels must contain the same information for each participant, as well as contact information and a brief C.V. for the moderator if you suggest one. (The program committee can help find moderators, if necessary.) There is a limited number of AV-equipped rooms available so it is essential that you indicate your need for audiovisual equipment (and what kind) in your proposal. All meeting rooms are air conditioned.

Please send your completed proposal with the following in the subject line of the email: WHS, followed by Your LAST NAME/FAMILY NAME), and then Your First/Given name (ex: GILBERT, Marc Jason), then short paper/panel name to the WHA Symposia coordinator, Maryanne Rhett, at mrhett@monmouth.edu. She should also be contacted by individuals wishing to moderate a session. They should send her a statement of interest, contact information, and a brief C.V.

Questions regarding program events and content only may be directed to the Program Chair, Marc Jason Gilbert at mgilbert@hpu.edu.

All panelists must register to be on the program—see below for details.

The Extended Deadline for the Submission of Paper and Panel Proposals, and also for Early Registration is September 15th, 2011.
The Early Registration for all participants is $125, ending September 15th.

Thereafter, from September 16th – October 31st, the Regular Registration rate for Members of the WHA is USD $175.00. The Non-Member rate is an additional $40.00.
The Late Registration rate (after Nov. 1) for Members of the WHA is $225. The non-WHA member rate is an additional $40.
Early Registration is thus encouraged. Presenters who register before Nov 1 in anticipation of receiving funding, but who do not receive it and are unable to come, will have their registration funds returned to them.
Registration includes lunches on January 2nd and 3rd.
Please indicate on the registration form at the World History Association website (http://www.thewha.org/) if you plan to attend the conference banquet and evening entertainment, tickets for which will be available for purchase at the conference site for less than $20.00.
Waivers for or reductions in registration fees are available for Cambodian teachers and members of Teachers Across Borders. These can be requested by emailing the WHA at: thewha@hawaii.edu, with the subject line indicating: “Siem Reap Symposium waiver request.” Low-cost housing options and both symposium and optional touring logistics information will be posted shortly.

Unfortunately, there are not sufficient funds to subsidize scholars’ travel nor lodging at the symposium. Excellent inexpensive lodging, food, shopping and entertainment are all available close to the symposium site. Local transportation from hotels nearer the airport is available in the range of $2.00 per ride and can be arranged for $20.00 for an entire day. The weather in Siem Reap in early January is ideal: dry with cool mornings, high in the mid-80s at mid-day. Siem Reap is famous for its Pub Street district, a five minute walk from the symposium site. It features sidewalk restaurants, cafes and shops; most visitors make evening strolls there a habit. Siem Reap still has the flavor of a small town, albeit flooded with both backpackers and traditional tourists whose presence has led to widespread spoken English and Western-style supermarkets. Heath and crime issues are minimal (See State Department advisories and your travel medicine specialist before undertaking any travel). Tourist visas are inexpensive with information posted shortly. Siem Reap’s international airport is serviced by a variety of airlines from most Asian hubs. Many overseas flights transit or make easy connection to inexpensive onward flights from Bangkok’s international airport or Seoul, Korea. Because of the International Dateline, attendees departing January 4 will be able to make connections permitting participation at WHA events at American Historical Association in Chicago later that week.