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Winter School: “Communitarianism, Sectarianism, and the State,” the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies

January 4, 2020 - January 14, 2020

The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies announces the first “Winter School” program on the theme of “Communitarianism, Sectarianism, and the State.” The winter school program will be held January 4th to 14th, 2020, and is open to advanced graduate students (ABD) and early career researchers in the social sciences and humanities. Prospective applicants have until September 30th 2019 to apply.The objective of the winter school/program is to provide an in-depth and critical look at specifically selected topics in the broader study of the Middle East. For participating scholars, it provides an opportunity to network with academics from the region, gain substantive content unavailable in their home institutions and countries, and receive feedback from respected scholars. Most importantly, participants will be exposed to new ideas and case specific information.The theme for this year is “Communitarianism, Sectarianism, and the State.” This theme was chosen to reflect emerging research trends in a variety of social science disciplines, and will be approached from an interdisciplinary perspective, which will enrich the winter school and participant perspectives.Possible topics of inclusion include, but are not limited to: sectarian or regional conflict using contemporary examples from the Arab world (such as Iraq, Yemen, etc); political violence; the history of sectarianism and sectarian thought; post-conflict studies on communitarianism, particularly from a comparative perspective (i.e. outside the Arab world); divided societies and prospects for democracy; and more.Each workshop day will include lectures from an expert on the themes listed above, or an expert on a specific case which applies. The second half of each day will then be allocated to discussing participant papers on a similar topic.Confirmed discussants include:Azmi Bishara, Arab Center for Research and Policy StudiesMorten Valbjørn, Aurhus UniversityMarc Caball, University College DublinSimon Mabon, Lancaster UniversityAbdelwahab El-Affendi, Doha Institute for Graduate StudiesNader Hashemi, University of DenverToby Matthiesen, Oxford UniversityMajed Al-Ansari, Qatar UniversityAdham Saouli, Doha Institute for Graduate StudiesLuai Ali, Doha Institute for Graduate StudiesHaider Saeed, Arab Center for Research and Policy StudiesEligible scholars interested in applying should complete the following: Fill out the attached application form.  This should be accompanied by a current CV and an abstract/research outline of the proposed paper you would bring to the winter school. The abstract should be no more than 500 words in length. At least one reference. The referee should fill out this form and send it directly to [email protected]. The Academic Committee will accept research proposals 30 September 2019. Please send all relevant materials to:  [email protected]. The Academic Committee will notify all applicants about the status of their applications by email by October 10, 2019. Successful applicants should submit complete drafts of papers, between 5,000 and 8,500 words in length, 45 days before the conference begins. Submitted drafts must follow the guidelines determined by the ACRPS.Funding is available for travel and expenses, and accommodation is provided for all participants.