ISA South Annual Conference 2011
Elon, North Carolina

ISA South Annual Conference - Elon 2011

Theme: Political Communication and International Studies
October 14-15, 2011, at the Elon University; Elon, North Carolina, USA
  MARY K. MEYER MCALEESE, ISA-South President  |    Sean P. Giovanello, Program Chair

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS: WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

Please submit all paper, roundtable and panel proposals via your MyISA account.

Questions concerning the ISA-SOUTH 2011 Conference should be directed to Sean Giovanello at isasouth2011@isanet.org.

Political Communication and International Studies

ISA-South and Elon University are pleased to issue this Call for Papers for the ISA-South Annual Conference, scheduled for October 14-15, 2011 to be held at Elon University in Elon, North Carolina.

The theme of this year’s conference is the exploration of political communication and international studies, broadly conceived. From the role of the new media environment in the changing international system, to the communicative processes involved in foreign policy, to the way non-state actors communicate in international organizations – this theme touches on fundamental questions related to the communication of messages about events, policies, and identities in international studies. Papers and panels that address theoretical, methodological, and/or empirical questions and analyses are welcome.

While paper and panel proposals by professional scholars or practitioners on any topic relating to international studies are welcome, those relating to the conference theme of “Political Communication in International Studies” are especially welcome. Graduate students are encouraged to submit paper proposals and, if accepted, to compete in the ISA-South Jim Winkates Graduate Student Paper Competition. The Program Chair also welcomes paper submissions from outstanding undergraduate students with faculty sponsors for a dedicated poster session and/or a special panel featuring outstanding undergraduate research (only accepted submissions from undergraduate students able to attend the conference with faculty sponsors can be considered).

Paper and/or panel proposals are due to the Program Chair by July 20, 2011. Panel, roundtable, and individual paper proposals can be submitted via the myISA login page; on the main page for the ISA-S conference, click the “My Submissions” link to submit a proposal. Although you will need to create a myISA account if you do not already have one, in order to access the system, you do not need to already be a member of the International Studies Association in order to do so. Notification of acceptance will be sent on or about August 20, 2011.

If you have any questions or difficulties with this process, please contact:

Dr. Sean P. Giovanello, ISA-S Program Chair
Department of Political Science
Elon University
Elon, North Carolina 27244
Email: isasouth2011@isanet.org
Phone: 336-278-5901

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Host Institution

The host institution for the conference is Elon University, which is a selective, independent, private university renowned as a national model for engaged learning, along with excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional programs. Elon's beautiful and historic campus in central North Carolina is designated as a botanical garden. Elon currently has over 5,000 undergraduate students and 675 graduate students. Students come from 48 states and over 50 countries from around the world. Over seventy percent of Elon’s undergraduate students study abroad at some point during their college career. Elon became a Phi Beta Kappa institution in 2010.

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Conference Location & Hotel

- Location & Travel -

The 2011 ISA-South Conference will be held on the campus of Elon University. Hotel accommodations will be offered at the nearby Best Western Plus of Burlington. Elon is centrally located off Interstate 85, within easy driving distance of Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh, and Charlotte. Nearby attractions include the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, the North Carolina Zoo, and a variety of other shopping and entertainment venues. Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) is serviced by all major airlines and well-known discount carriers. The airport is approximately 20 minutes from Elon. If arriving by car, take I-85 to Exit 142 (Huffman Mill Road). Turn right off the exit. The hotel is a quarter mile ahead on the right. To get to campus, turn right off the exit and then take a left at the lights onto Garden Road, followed by a right onto Saint Mark’s Church Road. Saint Mark’s Church Road becomes South Williamson, which leads directly into Elon. Turn right onto East Haggard Avenue and follow the signs for parking on campus.

- Hotel -

The Best Western Plus in Burlington is located right off of I-85. It is newly renovated and within walking distance to a variety of shops and restaurants. A shuttle bus will run regularly between the hotel and the conference site on campus. The special conference room rates will be available from Wednesday, October 12 through Sunday, October 16.

Best Western Plus, Burlington
770 Huffman Mill Road
Burlington, NC 27215 Reservations: 1-800-780-7234

To reserve your room, contact the Best Western directly by phone and identify yourself as part of the ISA-South Conference (International Studies Association – South) group block.

Special Room Rates (nightly) for ISA-South:
Reservations: 1-800-780-7234
Single/Double/Triple Occupancy: $ 62*
1 Bedroom suite: $99*

*Room rates do not include taxes and fees

Note: The special ISA-South Conference room rates are guaranteed only for advance reservations made by Thursday, September 21, 2011.

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Conference Events

Friday, October 14

12:00noon-2:00pm - Professional Development Workshop
This workshop will focus on issues of importance to graduate students and junior faculty in regards to career advancement and professional development. The discussion will be led by senior faculty members from North Carolina universities (public and private, large and small). It is ideal for graduate students, new faculty, and veteran faculty as well. Lunch will be served at this event. This panel is supported by a grant from the Professional Development Committee (PDC) of the International Studies Association.
2:15pm-3:45pm - Inside the Elon University Poll
This tour and demonstration will be conducted by Assistant Director of the Elon Poll, Dr. Mileah Kromer. Attendees will visit and tour the polling laboratory. While there, Dr. Kromer will discuss the origins and subsequent growth of the Elon Poll, which has become the poll of record in North Carolina. Dr. Kromer will then lead a discussion and answer questions on topics ranging from public opinion polling and North Carolina politics.
2:15pm-3:45pm - An Overview of the International Crisis Conference at Elon
Elon University’s Model UN Club puts on the International Crisis Conference at Elon two times each academic year. The conference is run by upper level Elon undergraduates and is attended by introductory level international relations students from Elon and other regional colleges and universities. During the conference, student delegates role play cabinet level officials from a variety of states as a series of crises unfold. In this workshop, members of the Model UN Club at Elon will provide an overview of the mechanics of the crisis conference, walk participants through a sample crisis, and demonstrate how technology has made increasingly sophisticated and challenging simulations possible.
5:30pm-7:30pm Welcome Reception (Lindner Patio)

Saturday, October 15

7:00am-8:15am Women’s Caucus Breakfast (Lindner 211)
12:00noon-1:45pm ISA-South Awards Luncheon (Oaks 212)
Guest Speakers:Ben O'Loughlin, Professor of International Relations and Co-Director of the New Political Communication Unit at Royal Holloway, University of London and Alister Miskimmon, Senior Lecturer in European Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway, University of London. (Reminder: The cost of the luncheon is included in the registration fee.)
5:30pm-6:30pm ISA-South Business Meeting (Lindner 102)

Conference Registration

Registration fees include free parking and access to all official Program events, including the Friday evening “Welcoming Reception” and the Saturday Awards Luncheon with Guest Speaker (TBA). You may register using the MyISA website.

Early Registration May 18 - September 15, 2011

  • Faculty/General = $85
  • Student = $40
Late Registration September 15 - October 6, 2011
  • Faculty/General = $100
  • Student = $50
OnSite Registration October 14 - 15, 2011
  • Faculty/General = $100
  • Student = $50

Please Note: Conference registration is required for participation

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Student Participation and Travel Support

Graduate and undergraduate student participation is encouraged. Student registration fees are subsidized, and additional student travel grants are available, especially for students presenting papers. ISA-South will provide travel support of up to $150 each for up to 15 graduate/undergraduate students accepted onto the conference program. Priority will be given to graduate or undergraduate students who are current members of ISA-South. Membership in ISA-South means that the applicant is a paid member of ISA who lives in the geographical area of ISA-South. “Student” means those actively enrolled in a college or university Ph.D., M.A. or M.S., or undergraduate program. Students who wish to be considered for travel support should include with their paper proposal an additional statement (200-250 words) to the Program Chair about how participation in the conference will influence their studies and professional development. This statement should be attached to the paper proposal, which is due on July 20, 2011. Undergraduate students should also include the name and contact details of a faculty sponsor. Students accepted onto the conference program are also encouraged to submit their final papers to the ISA-South Jim Winkates Graduate Student Paper Competition by the contest deadline (details follow).

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ISA-SOUTH JIM WINKATES GRADUATE STUDENT PAPER COMPETITION

The ISA-South Jim Winkates Graduate Student Paper Competition is open to any student who is actively enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program at the time of the conference.

  1. To be eligible in any given year, the student must attend the ISA-South Conference and present her or his paper as a member of a panel listed in the Conference Program.
  2. Three prizes will be awarded: Grand Prize: $250 / First Runner-up: $200 / Second Runner-up: $150
  3. Additional non-monetary awards will include a one-year paid membership in ISA and ISA-South and a plaque acknowledging the award, presented at the annual ISA-South conference luncheon/banquet.
  4. The Coordinator of the Graduate Student Paper Competition is responsible for forming a committee to decide on the awarding of prizes.
  5. The criteria for judging the papers include mastery of the field, originality, logic, organization, good writing, and complete and proper documentation.
  6. Students who wish to enter the competition must submit four (4) final hard copies of their conference paper to the Paper Competition Coordinator no later than Friday, September 23, 2011. No papers will be accepted electronically. Mail four hard copies of your paper postmarked by/before the deadline to:

    Prof. Thomas Badey
    Coordinator, ISA-S Jim Winkates Graduate Student Paper Competition
    Department of International Studies & Political Science
    PO Box 5005
    Randolph-Macon College
    Ashland, VA 23005-5505
    Email: tbadey@rmc.edu

The awards will be announced at the ISA-South conference banquet on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

NOTE: the Paper Competition Coordinator reserves the right to decide not to award prizes if a sufficient number of graduate student papers are not submitted for the competition.

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