University of Botswana Department of English
2nd call for papers

3RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (HOSTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA)

THEME: ENGLISH STUDIES IN AFRICA: THE CRISIS OF RELEVANCE

13-17 JUNE 2005

The relevance of English Studies to Africa has remained a burning issue for the last two centuries. The need to revisit the subject has become increasingly urgent because of the continuing perception that many departments of English (and their programmes) across Africa have had very little impact on the governments and peoples of Africa. Accordingly, this conference will address this crisis of the relevance of English Studies to Africa, especially at the turn of the 21st century. In particular, the conference will seek to examine and attempt to clarify the role of English Studies in Africa from various (interdisciplinary) perspectives: theoretical, pedagogical, cultural, social and economic.

Abstracts: Abstracts of up to 500 words are invited based on the sub-themes suggested below. Prospective participants are, however, free to write on topics related to themes not included on the list.

Sub-themes: A. General:

1. What is English Studies?

2. English and the Humanities

3. Language, literature and colonialism

4. Language, literature and gender

B. Language:

1. The balance between English language description and proficiency

2. Evolving standards and models of English in Africa

3. English as an international language: Ownership, adaptability, identities, etc.

4. English and the new technologies

5. Language and class

6. Language planning and the national language question

7. English as a global industry

8. English Studies and social expectations

C. Literature:

1. Literature in English and African culture

2. Literary education and the global culture

3. African literature and canon formation

4. Literature and change

5. Literature and identities

6. African literature and the diaspora

Abstracts are to be submitted by email (Email attachments should be in Microsoft word or rich text formats). The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 31 December 2004. Prospective participants will be notified as from 15 January 2005 whether their abstracts have been accepted or not.

Panels and workshops: Participants who wish to organize special panels and workshops, or mount exhibitions should notify the organizer early.

Conference venue: The conference will hold on the main campus of the University of Botswana in Gaborone.

Registration and fees: Conference registration fees are as follows:

a) Participants from Africa (P200)***

b) Participants from other parts of the world (P500)

c) Students from Africa (Free)

Registration will be at the conference venue. However, should you wish to make a special arrangement on this, please contact Dr. Mompoloki Bagwasi at email bagwasimm@mopipi.ub.bw or Mr. Tiro Sebina at sebinat@mopipi.ub.bw

Publication of proceedings: Selected papers from the conference will be published.

Visas: Please inquire from your travel agent whether you need a visa to get to Botswana. The visa fee is P500. Should you need conference organisers' help in procuring a visa, please contact Ms Seatholo Tumedi at email: tumedism@mopipi.ub.bw or tel: 267 3552667.

Accommodation:

A variety of decent accommodation is available in Gaborone. All the hotels and lodges are within 5-15 minutes walk or drive to the UB campus. Below are a few of them. Note that all the rates indicated are for standard rooms and that they are subject to change without notice. The rates for other room types can be ascertained directly from the hotels and lodges. Should you need the organisers' help in booking your accommodation, please contact Ms Nono Kgafela at email kgafelakn@mopipi.ub.bw or tel: 267 3552181.

Bed and breakfast:

a. Brackendene Lodge (Tel: 267 3912886)

Single -- P216; Double -- P282 (Lunch/Dinner -- P35 each)

b. Budget Lodge (Tel: 267 3959501)

Single -- P135; Double -- P185 (Lunch/Dinner not available)

c. Gaborone Sun (Tel: 267 3951111)

Single -- P668; Double -- P744 (Lunch/Dinner -- P85/P95)

d. Lolwapa Lodge (Tel: 267 3184865)

Single -- P180; Double -- P220 (Lunch/Dinner -- P25/P29)

e. Planet Lodge (Te: 267 3910116, 3910117; Fax: 267 3910118)

Single -- P182; Double -- P256 (Lunch/Dinner -- P33/P39)

f. Southring Lodge (Tel: 267 3185550)

Single -- P140; Double -- P176 (Lunch/Dinner -- P19 each)

Other accommodation:

g. E-Khaya Lodge (267 71225927, 71211312)

Single -- P160; Double -- 190 (B/F/Lunch/Dinner -- P15/P25)

h. UB postgraduate (single) rooms -- P80

UB undergraduate rooms -- P60 (sharing)

(B/F/Lunch/Dinner at FEDICS on campus -- P20 -- P27)

i. Cresta Lodge (Tel: 267 3975375)

Single -- P593; Double -- P695 (B/F/Lunch/Dinner -- P56/P90/P95)

j. Grand Palm (Tel: 267 3912999 or Email: gpalm@global.co.za)

Single -- P711; Double -- P711 (B/F/Lunch/Dinner -- P73/P95/P99)

k. President Hotel (Tel: 267 3953631)

Single -- P520; Double -- P620 (B/F/Lunch/Dinner -- P54/P75/P78)

l. Syringa Hotel (Tel: 267 3190600; Fax: 267 3190 660)

Studio (two single beds) -- P590 (B/F/Lunch/Dinner -- order from menu)

Website: Additional information will be posted on the Department of English website (http://www.thuto.org/english) as soon as it becomes available.

Please send all abstracts to:

Dr. Arua E. Arua

Department of English, University of Botswana

Private Bag UB00703, Gaborone, Botswana

Tel: (267) 3552177; (267) 3163202

Fax: (267) 3185098

Email: aruaae@mopipi.ub.bw
or aruaae@botsnet.bw (use both addresses)

Exchange rate

On 17 Oct. 2004 the exchange rate was about US$1 = P 4.77. For up-to-date rates, try the XE.com Universal currency converter