From CERIS:
A reminder the deadline for student papers is March 16, 2009 for the CERIS 2009 Undergraduate Research Symposium, Islam in the World: Politics, People, Places. Please encourage your students to participate.
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Dear University of Pittsburgh Faculty,
I am writing on behalf of the Consortium for Educational Resources on Islamic Studies (CERIS), of which Pitt is a member, inviting your participation in an exciting opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge in an arena often not available to undergraduates. On March 28, 2009, CERIS will sponsor an Undergraduate Research Symposium at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh entitled “Islam in the World: People, Politics, Places.” Students from 28 member institutions are invited to submit research papers and then present their work to a panel of judges. Cash prizes totaling $500 will be distributed to the top three papers in each category: Politics & Policy, and Religion and Culture. A third category for artistic or personal presentations will also be held, but these submissions are not eligible for prizes.
On the preceding evening (March 27), a keynote address will be given at Duquesne by Dr. Richard Bulliet, Professor of History at Columbia University and former director of the Middle East Institute there. Dr. Bulliet will also speak directly to the students at a breakfast on Saturday morning before the Symposium begins.
With the 2009 theme of Islam in the World: Politics, People, Places, students may submit papers with topics such as: Dubai and the Credit Crunch; Hamas: Freedom Fighters or Terrorists; Fashion Fusion: Turkish Art and German Design; Rap, Rock and the Muslim Faithful in Indonesia; Muslims in American Democratic Discourse. Students should keep in mind that Islamic Studies encompasses many languages, literatures, and disciplines. It extends from the seventh century to the present, and includes broad geographical areas of the world. Islamic Studies can include but is not limited to history, religion, law, politics, sociology, science, art and culture, language and literature. Students from all majors are eligible to participate in the symposium. Research papers need not be written just for this symposium, but can be the result of work for current or previous classroom requirements. Papers should be 8 – 12 double-spaced pages; students should seek the advice of a faculty member to ensure the quality of their research and paper. Students will also be required to make a 10 – 15 minute presentation of their papers. We encourage you to support your students by attending the symposium on March 28, 2009, and ask that you consider serving as a symposium panel juror for participants from other campuses.
Information about the 2009 CERIS Undergraduate Research Symposium (including important deadlines, submission details, guidelines for writing, and judging criteria) are available at www.cerisnet.org. Please note that final paper submissions are due by March 16th.
With best wishes,
Doug Penhallegon Elaine Linn
CERIS Representative CERIS Outreach Coordinator
& Symposium Co-Chair & Symposium Co-Chair
Duquesne University University of Pittsburgh
penhall321@duq.edu eel58@pitt.edu
412) 759-4543 412) 648-2113
