The Herbert J. Ellison Center and Portland State University Present:
 

The 14th Annual Northwest Regional Conference for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies
 

Nations, States and Identities in Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia
 

Smith Memorial Union Building
Rooms 327, 328, and 329
Portland State University, Portland Oregon
 

Saturday, April 12, 2008
9:15am-5:00pm

The Fourteenth Annual REECAS-NW Conference will be held on Saturday, April 12th, 2008, at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. The conference is organized by the Ellison Center for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies in the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington and the Departments of Foreign Languages and Literatures, International Studies and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Portland State University.

We welcome students, faculty and staff from institutions of higher learning from throughout the Pacific Northwest, as well as K-12 educators (7 WA state clock hours and Oregon State certificates available for attending the full day) and the general public. Admission to the conference is free. Advance registration is required by April 4th, if you would like to order a box lunch. On the morning of the conference, you will need to confirm your registration and pay $12 for your lunch at the registration table on the 3rd floor of the Smith Memorial Union Building between 9:15am-9:45am. Coffee, tea and pastries will be provided. The conference will be held in the Smith Memorial Students Union (Rooms 327, 328 and 329) on the Portland State campus. All conference participants are invited to attend a reception following the conference.  

Below is some general information regarding the conference.  If you have any questions, please contact us by email at reecas@u.washington.edu.

To register, please send the following information:

  • Name(s), address, telephone number, e-mail address, place of work/study, affiliation;
  • Lunch preference: Please indicate whether you would like Smoked Turkey with Havarti; Ham and Swiss; Roast Beef with Cheddar; Tomato Mozzarella & Avocado (v); Chicken Caesar Wrap; BBQ Chicken Salad; or Greek salad (v).
  • payment of $12 is due the morning of the conference;
  • If you are a teacher, let us know if you would like clock hours as well. Please note that we can only provide WA state clock hours, Portland State will provide certificates for Oregon teachers.

To: The Ellison Center
     University of Washington
     Box 353650
     Seattle, WA 98195

or by e-mail to reecas@u.washington.edu

Please note that if you would like to purchase a lunch, you must register by April 9th.

For further information or questions, please call The Ellison Center at (206) 543-4852
or email reecas@u.washington.edu

9:15am-10:00am REGISTRATION

10:00am-11:30am SESSION 1

Panel 1 A –Identity and Representation in Russia

In Pursuit of a National Identity: Being Jewish in Russia
(Abstract) (Paper)
Tatyana Tsyrlina-Spady, PhD

Eurasianism of Alexander Dugin
(Abstract) (Paper)
Irene McMann, University of Washington

Non-Russian in the Russian North: Images of Others in Works by Stepan Pisakhov and Boris Shergin
 (Abstract)  (Paper)
Anna Yatsenko, Visiting Assistant Professor, Reed College

Panel 1 B – Politics and Economics in Chechnya and Central Asia 

Kyrgyzstan and Multinational Gold Mining: A Sheep in the Land of Wolves?
(Abstract) (Paper)
George Wright, Associate Professor (Retired), University of Washington

The Imagined Chechen Economy
(Abstract) (Paper)
Robert Schaefer, Virginia

Facilitating Economic Growth in Eurasia: China's Great Western Development Plan and Central Asian Economics
(Abstract)  (Paper)
Bradley Jensen Murg, Political Science, University of Washington

11:30am-12:00pm BREAK/LUNCH

12:00pm-1:30pm Plenary: Nations, States, and Identities in Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia

1:30pm-1:45pm BREAK

1:45am-3:15pm SESSION 2

Panel 2 A – Revolution and Evolution in the Former Soviet Union

Post-Orange Ukraine and Civil Liberties
(Abstract) (Paper)
Sophia Wilson, Political Science, University of Washington

Colorful Authoritarians? Protest, Policing, and Repression in Georgia and Kyrgyzstan 2005-2007
(Abstract) (Paper)
Jason Strakes

If a Tree Falls in the Woods...The Role of the Public in a Free Press in Russia
(Abstract) (Paper)
Chris Demaske, Assistant Professor, Communications, University of Washington, Tacoma

Panel 2 B – Power, Symbols and the Press in Russia and the Baltics 

The Moving of the Bronze Soldier and the Aftermath
(Abstract) (Paper)
Will Lasky, Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, University of Washington

Information War in the Baltics
(Abstract) (Paper)
Michelle Markey, Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, University of Washington

On the Margins: Underground Comics and Counter Culture in Contemporary Serbia
(Abstract) (Paper)
Lisa Mangum,  Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, University of Washington

Roundtable – Innovative Approaches to K-16 Russian Education 

3:15pm-3:30pm BREAK 

3:30pm-5:00pm SESSION 3  

Panel 3 A – National Identity and Transborder Issues 

Lithuanian Emigration after Accession to the European Union and its Impact on Lithuanian National Identity: Transnational Public Sphere and Social Remittances
(Abstract) (Paper)
Jessica Bryant-Bertail, Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, University of Washington

Dimensions of the Greek-Macedonian Name Dispute
(Abstract)  (Paper)
Michael Seraphinoff, Examiner, Macedonian Language and Literature, International Baccalaureate Organization

"Stern der Volkerfreundschaft?" Cross-Cultural Encounters during Open-Border Politics between East Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia
(Abstract) (Paper)
Mark Aaron Keck-Szajbel, PhD Candidate, University of California, Berkeley

Panel 3 B – Looking out, Looking in: Perspectives on Central Asia 

New EU Approach to Central Asia: Strategic Importance and Barriers
(Abstract) (Paper)
Odina Salihbaaeva, Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, University of Washington

Hospitality Icons: Women with Bowls
(Abstract) (Paper)
Tracy Vancura

Soviet Hangover: Russia, Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Soviet Legacy
(Abstract) (Paper)
Dan Catchpole, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington

Panel 3 C – Old Believers: Language and Life in America 

A Field Expedition to Russian Old Believer Villages in Alaska
(Abstract) (Paper)
Richard Morris, PhD, Cultural and Applied Anthropology University of Oregon, Eugene

Linguistic Analysis of Russian Old Believers in Alaska (In Russian)
(Abstract) (Paper) (Appendix)
Tamara B. Morris, PhD, Formerly of the Institute of Russian Language RAS, Moscow

Russian Old Believers in North America
(Abstract)  (Paper) 
Margaret McKibben, Faculty Librarian, North Seattle Community College

5:00pm-6:00pm CLOSING RECEPTION