The 16th Igbo Studies Association Annual International Conference
Theme: “Igbo Ga-adi: Projecting Igbo Values and Customs”
Dominican University, River Forest, Chicago, Illinois, USA
May 10-12, 2018

The Igbo Studies Association (ISA) specially invites scholars, students, organizations and professionals in Nigeria and in the diaspora whose research interests cover any of the areas of Igbo Studies to its 16th annual international conference, which will take place at the Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois, USA, on May 10-12, 2018.

The theme of the conference, “Igbo Ga-adi” (Igbo Shall Endure) and its subtitle, “Projecting Igbo Values and Customs,” together, spell the imperative of affirming the Igbo world-view in the face of the onslaught of varied abuses that question the existence of the Igbo as a people, a race and a nation. Recent historic events at both local and global levels more than ever demand a careful look at who the Igbo are and how they will continue to exist. Hence, this conference provides opportunities to revisit Igbo epistemologies and knowledge on Igbo resilience, and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue on the future endurance and survival of the Igbo as a people.

SUB-THEMES (these may include other themes not covered hereunder):
1. Birth, marriage and death rituals and ceremonies
2. Language, literature and folklore
3. Science and Technology
4. Engineering and Entrepreneurship
5. Medicine and Health Matters
6. Wealth-building in Igboland
7. Igbo religion and beliefs
8. Music, visual arts, Nollywood and songs
9. Numbers, numerology and symbolism
10. Igbo masks, masquerades and their relevance
11. Land tenure and settler issues in the Igbo heartland
12. Climate change and environmental degradation
13. The Igbo and selfhood
14. The Igbo family, clan and community
15. Igbo architecture, house and home
16. The relevance of the ‘dibia’ in the Igbo community
17. Ideology, materialism and development
18. Igbo origins and history
19. Violence, terrorism and war
20. Indigenous feminisms and views on gender
21. Spirits, genii and bogeymen in Igbo culture
22. Ancestors, the living and the living dead
23. Law, justice and jurisprudence in Igbo traditions
24. Title taking and its relevance
25. The caste system and the free born in Igboland
26. Ethnic squabbles and conflict resolution
27. Perspectives on violence and war in Igbo worldview
28. Investment opportunities in Igboland
29. Myths, legends and fairy tales in Igboland
30. Igbo religions, Christianity and Islam

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING AN ABSTRACT

Submit an abstract of 250-300 words online, including the title of your proposed paper, poster, panel, roundtable, your motivation for proposing the work, thesis or hypothesis, theoretical framework, references, and projected conclusion.
Provide your names in full, current status and institutional affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address.

ACCEPTANCE AND FEES

If your abstract is accepted, you will be required to pay a non-refundable fee of $50.00 for membership, and later a conference registration fee that will permit you to present your work at the conference.
Payments can be made in any of the following three ways:
Through PayPal at the ISA website;
In dollars at the ISA PNC Bank Account; or,
In naira through the ISA Fidelity Bank Account (# 6052163125).
After payment is made, please forward an electronic copy of confirmation simultaneously to the following officers of the Association:
1. ISA Program Chairperson, Dr. Chima Korieh (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.);
2. ISA Treasurer, Dr. Christine Ohale (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.);
3. ISA PRO, Dr. Chid Igwe (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.);
4. ISA Vice-President, Dr. Uchenna Nzewi (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.); and,
5. ISA Secretary, Dr. Ogechi Anyanwu (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

DEADLINES AND NOTIFICATION

• The deadline for abstract submission is November 30, 2017 [NEW DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 20, 2017]. You will get a notification for a successful submission by e-mail.
• Completed paper is due April 30, 2018, and you may write in Igbo or English. Click on the following link to submit: http://igbostudiesassociation.org/index.php/conferences/2018-conference.
• Selected papers shall be considered for publication in a post-conference edited volume.
• Participants are responsible for their conference fees, including membership/registration, travel and hotel lodging costs.

For more information, please visit the ISA website at: http://www.igbostudiesassociation.org.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Guest-rooms for the 2018 ISA Conference will be at Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Chicago West O'Hare Airport, 200 S. Mannheim Road, Hillside, IL 60162, USA.

Conference Rates

• Standard Single King - $110 plus 11% tax.
• Standard Double Queen - $110 plus 11% tax.

Guests have two ways to book reservations:

1. By clicking the following Reservation Link - < ISA Conference 2018 >. Please note, when using the internet the dates must be within the exact group dates in order to make a reservation or it might show no availability. If any problems arise please call 1-708-544-2700 for additional help.

2. By calling 1-708-544-2700 and asking to make reservations under the following group name and dates:

• Group Name: ISA Conference 2018.
• Checking In: May 9, 2018.
• Checking Out: May 13, 2018.

In order to get a room at the guaranteed rates above, please make all reservations by April 11, 2018. Thereafter, reservations will be taken on a space and rate availability basis only.

Complimentary Amenities:

• Hot Full Express Start® Breakfast Bar, from 6:00am to 9:30am.
• High speed internet throughout the hotel.
• Shuttle (advanced reservations required) to O'Hare Airport and CTA Blue Line in Forest Park, from 5:00am to 12 midnight.

Please visit the hotel's website at www.holidayinnwestohare.com for a complete list of amenities.

For more inquiries, please contact the Program Chairperson:

Professor Chima Korieh
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.