Call for Papers

GEAS Graduate Conference: Individual Agency in Institutional Contexts in East Asia

December 9-10, 2016, Freie Universität Berlin

How institutions work in real life depends to a considerable extent on how individuals relate to them in their everyday activities. As the structures given by institutions are often manifold, conflicting, and multi-leveled, diverging interpretations and pathways of action can be expected. There are various perspectives to study the relationship between institutions and individuals, among which some recent approaches emphasize the agency of individuals within an institutional setting. How do individuals interact with larger cultural, social, political, and economic contexts? Also, while doing research, how can scholars navigate the gap between concrete persons or situations, and the abstract models of agency?We welcome contributions that focus on formal and/or informal institutions.

The main purpose of this conference is to provide a forum for young researchers for an academic exchange from a multidisciplinary perspective. The conference is aimed at doctoral candidates and recent PhDs in area studies or social science disciplines related to East Asia. There are no specific requirements in respect of a candidate’s disciplinary background. The disciplines that will be considered include, but are not limited to, social and cultural anthropology, law, economics, history, political sciences, and sociology. Each speaker will be asked to deliver a paper in English, followed by a discussion with invited scholars and specialists.

Applicants are to submit the paper title and abstract (no more than 300 words) in English  by 31^st July 2016 at

easychair.org/conferences/?conf=geasgradconference2016

The selected participants will be notified by End of August 2016. Final papers (5000-8000 words) should be sent in by 4^th November 2016.

Contact Info:

Grad Conference Committee
Graduate School of East Asian Studies
Freie Universität Berlin
Hittorfstr. 18
14195 Berlin

http://www.geas.fu-berlin.de

Contact Email:
grad-conference@geas.fu-berlin.de

URL:
http://geas.fu-berlin.de