call for papers - english

STUDENT ACADEMIC CONFERENCE

'I Left My Heart in San Francisco'

INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN STUDIES AND POLISH DIASPORA

JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY

26-27 APRIL 2012

San Francisco opens its gates. This beautifully situated city will become the topic of discussions, one of the characters in film projections and the main topic of the presentations given at a conference during the 4th American Days at Jagiellonian.

The early days of the city are connected to the Dolores mission, settled in 1776 by the Franciscan Order. With the discovery of gold in the area, San Francisco begun to attract more settlers, changing the young city into a thriving centre of commerce. It’s where, in 1945, the UN charter creating the UN was drafted and signed. After the Second World War San Francisco enjoyed a cultural and business boom, contributing to the today’s image of the metropolis. San Francisco would not be the same without the Golden Bridge, or the ethnic melting pot shown in Polanski’s Chinatown. Without the colourful, alcohol-and-drugs-fueled past of the Summer of Love og 1967. Without the striking modern skyscrapers towering over the city. 


Without the picturesque tram cars working continuously since 1873. San Francisco is a place where the past mingles with the presence, where the events of past decades are still felt. The beatnic generation, then the hippies, left behind a freedom of life unlike anything else, a place filled with tolerance for otherness and personal choice. Today San Francisco is considered one of the most liberal cities of the US.

The subjects of presentations can cover a wide scope of topics connected to San Francisco. We’re waiting for presentations on history, economy, architecture, politics of San Francisco, works on the image of the city in media, culture and art, the significant historic events, the ethnic diversity of San Francisco, counter culture of the 60s, etc. Presentations can be in Polish as well as in English. Conference fee is 20zł and must be paid up to 26th of April, which will be the first day of conference.

The Academic Circle of the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora, cooperating with the General Consulate of the US in Krakow, would like to invite you to participate in the conference.

Please send your application containing a short abstract of your presentation and a biographical note to dniamerykanskie@gmail.com before 31st March 2012. We will contact the chosen presenters before 5th April 2012. Please direct all questions and inquires to the same e-mail address, or ask them at our facebook page.