This year's Midwest American Conference for Irish Studies will be held at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota. The conference will open with a reception on the evening of Thursday, October 9. Join ACIS!
The conference theme is IRELAND: ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES. We encourage attendees to think of these concepts in the broadest possible way -- not merely as the migration of individuals and groups, but as of the arrival of new ideas and new critical perspectives, and concomitantly, as the departure of received wisdom. We note the arrival of new literary voices, and the arrival of new conceptions of Ireland. And we believe all papers are best conceived as a "point of departure" for further research and discussion.
This conference hopes to explore the movements of ideas, peoples, and more in Irish art, history, music, literature, cinema, and culture in Ireland from earliest times to the present. We welcome papers on any aspect of Irish studies from new or present ACIS members.
Please propose 20-minute papers in 250-300-word abstracts in .pdf or
.doc format to Professor Thomas O’Connell at Thomas.OConnell@metrostate.edu by midnight on
August 1, 2008 (early submissions encouraged). Include your name, institutional
affiliation, and contact information in document, as well as in the
body of your email.
Midwest ACIS Meeting Highlights
Opening Reception
Great Hall, MetropolitanStateUniversity, Thursday, October 9, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Set atop Dayton’s Bluff on the Eastside of St. Paul, the Great Hall offers a spectacular, panoramic view of downtown St. Paul.
In addition to ACIS members and plenary speakers, invited guests include local and regional leaders in art, literature, history, immigration studies, education and politics. Refreshments will be served.
Music will be provided by Jodie and Kate Dowling.
Opening Keynote Address
Piaras Mac Einri, Director, the Irish Centre for Migration Studies, University College, Cork and author of numerous articles and book chapters.
New Metropolitan State—St. Paul Public Library, Friday, October 10, 9:00 a.m.
Concurrent panel sessions and readings
Friday and Saturday, October 10-11.
Poetry Reading
St. Paul Public Library, downtown St. Paul, Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
Fourth Lawrence McBride Memorial Lecture
Marion Casey, Associate Professor of Irish Studies, New York University, Director of the Archives of Irish America is the author/editor of numerous books and articles.
New Metropolitan State—St. Paul Public Library, Saturday, October 11, 11:30 a.m.
Exclusive Art Exhibit for the ACIS meeting
Third Floor Gallery, New Metropolitan State—St. Paul Public Library
The Host University
Metropolitan State University is a comprehensive urban university committed to meeting the higher education needs of the Twin Cities and greater metropolitan population. The university provides accessible, high-quality liberal arts, professional, and graduate education to the citizens and communities of the metropolitan area, with continued emphasis on underserved groups, including adults and communities of color.
Within the context of lifelong learning, the university builds on its national reputation for innovative student-centered programs that enable students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. The university is committed to academic excellence and community partnerships through curriculum, teaching, scholarship and services designed to support an urban mission.
Registration Information Registration form (pdf) Conference Brochure (pdf)
You may register for ACIS Midwest by mail or on-site.
Registration rates are as follows:
Regular: $100 (includes lunch on Saturday, October 11th)
Graduate student: $70 (includes lunch on Saturday, October 11th)
Must be postmarked no later than September 22, 2008
Late and On-site Registration: $120 (includes lunch on Saturday, October 11th)
Please send registration form and check (Make checks out to:
Metropolitan State University Foundation) to--
Metropolitan State University
Office of Academic Affairs
700 East 7th Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000
If paying with credit card, print and include Credit Card Form (pdf).
Hotels
RESERVE YOUR HOTEL!
Embassy Suites Saint Paul Rates:
175 East 10th Street, St. Paul $139/nite, standard king single/double
651-224-5400 $149/nite, standard double suite single/double
Book by Sept. 17 to receive above rates for Embassy Suites.
Holiday Inn River Centre Rates:
175 7th Street W., St. Paul $109/nite, standard double room
651-225-1515
Book by Sept. 19 to receive above rates for Holiday Inn River Centre.
Make sure and ask for the American Conference for Irish
Studies rate.
