The Center for American Material Culture Studies at the
University of Delaware
presents the second annual

Material Culture Symposium for Emerging Scholars

Saturday, April 17, 2004
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Winterthur, Delaware


Purpose of the Forum: This symposium provides emerging scholars with a
venue for interdisciplinary dialog centering on material culture.  By
freeing scholars of chronological and topical restraints, the symposium
encourages discussion across perceived boundaries of time, space and
discipline.  We seek papers that are grounded in the study of a
particular object or objects but that address multidisciplinary
themes-for example, the Atlantic World, comportment and the body, or
texts and contexts. We invite graduate students from American Studies,
Art History, Archaeology, English, History, and other departments to
reevaluate the field of material culture studies, share their research,
and explore new avenues of interpretation and critical thinking.

Format:  Nine graduate students will give twenty-minute papers in panels
of three speakers each.  There will be two morning sessions and one
afternoon session, each followed by a discussion period.  Discussion
leaders this year are Kathleen Foster (Philadelphia Museum of Art),
LuAnn De Cunzo (University of Delaware), and Kym Rice (George Washington
University).  Gary Kulik, Deputy Director for Library, Collection
Management, and Academic Programs at Winterthur Museum will also invite
conference participants to tour Winterthur's library and its
unparalleled collection of early American decorative arts.  Coffee and
pastries will be provided during a short morning break; lunch will be
available for purchase in the Winterthur Visitors Center at the midday
break.  Ann Smart Martin (University of Wisconsin) will conclude the
formal presentations with a summary address, after which speakers will
have an opportunity to continue their conversation about material
culture studies at dinner with the discussants and conference planners.

Sponsors:  The symposium is co-sponsored by the Center for American
Material Culture Studies and Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.
CAMCS is an umbrella entity that comprises the allied programs in
American material culture at the University of Delaware.  These include
the Black American Studies Program, Center for Historic Architecture and
Design, History of American Civilization Program, Museum Studies
Program, Visual Communications Group and Winterthur Program in Early
American Culture, as well as the University Gallery and related
departments, such as Anthropology, Art History, Art Conservation,
Consumer Studies, English and History.  Winterthur maintains the
nation's premier collection of early American decorative arts and is an
important catalyst for American material culture scholarship through its
journal, Winterthur Portfolio, its publications and the funding of
original research through its fellowship program.

How to submit your proposal:  The proposal, not to exceed one
single-spaced page, should clearly indicate both the subject matter of
your paper and the interpretive or methodological problems that you
intend to address.  Preference will be given to papers that promise to
generate provocative, productive discussion about issues central to
material culture scholarship.  Send your proposal, along with a current,
two-page c.v., to Elise Madeleine Ciregna at [log in to unmask]

Deadline:  Proposals must be received by November 7th.  Speakers will be
notified of the committee's decision by November 24th.  Upon
notification speakers will be expected to provide conference organizers
with images (digital or electronic preferred) by December 12, 2003.

Website:
http://materialculture.udel.edu/achievements/emerging-scholars/ems-2004/index.html.
Check it often for updates during the year!