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IFIAD 2008 is intended to be the first forum of an International Forum series on Islamic Architecture and Design. IFIAD aims to shed light on the potential of Islamic architecture & Design to function once again as an innovative ground out of which can be produced adequate physical environments with genuine esoteric and exoteric values in order to enhance the life of its people. IFIAD 2008 is titled: Ideals, Innovation, and Sustainability The topics of IFIAD 2008 are the following: Topic 1: History, Theory, and Criticism of Islamic Architecture & Design. Topic 2: Islamic Ideals and Principles in Architecture & Design. Topic 3: Contemporary Design and Innovation in Islamic Architecture. Topic 4: Islamic Architecture & Design in Sustainable Built Environment. Topic 5: Examples and case studies of successful Contemporary Islamic Architecture and Urban Design projects. Topic 6: Education of Islamic Architecture and Design in Schools of Architecture, Engineering, and Urban Planning Website: http://www.sharjah.ac.ae/IFIAD2008

This interdisciplinary conference will explore the diverse musical responses to war, ranging from the various types of traditional war protest music to the music of soldiers and comrades-in-arms to patriotic and nationalistic music from a global perspective. The conference will cap a year-long study of war at The Martin Institute—its politics, history, social and cultural effects—and will seek to analyze the complex relationship between war and music. As an example of The Martin Institute’s commitment to the power of crossing disciplinary borders, we welcome papers from a range of experts in fields such as music theory and history, musical theater, sociology, history, anthropology, political science, cultural studies, and literature. The conference is particularly interested in the music of war from the mid-nineteenth century through the early twenty-first. Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following: · Music as an expression of either the justice or injustice of war · The music of soldiers and comrades-in-arms · The history and future of response music · Popular music during wartime · Studies of individual artists, composers, groups or musical genres · Musical censorship during wartime PLENARY EVENTS “Symphonies of War: Music in the United States during the Second World War,” a lecture given by Annegret Fauser, Professor of Music and Adjunct Professor of Women’s Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill “Music in Time of War: From Bunker Hill to Baghdad,” a performance by the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, Mark Harvey conductor “'Machine Gun Blues: Black Popular Music and War,” a lecture given by Kimberley Phillips, Frances L. and Edwin L. Cummings Associate Professor of History, College of William & Mary PROPOSAL GUIDELINES & DEADLINE Proposals for full panels are preferred, but individual paper proposals are also welcome. Panel proposals should include a panel title, 200-word abstracts of 3-4 papers and a brief CV for each person delivering a paper. Individual proposals should include an abstract and brief CV. Postgraduate students, as well as more senior scholars, are warmly encouraged to submit proposals by November 15, 2007. Panels of and poster presentations by undergraduate students are also welcome.

ICACD seeks to re-examine African cultural institutions and practices and explore avenues where the institutions and practices can be used as a tool for the development of the African continent. ICACD is aimed at creating a platform for Africans to make an input on how their culture and social institutions can compliment government efforts in achieving growth and development on the continent. Over the years, there have been several attempts from local and international circles to draw and implement workable programs and policies that will spark-off development in Africa. However, it is interesting to note, that most programs intended to ignite Africa’s development fails to yield the intended result due to the fact that, culture and the way of life of Africans seems to be partially or totally ignored. It is therefore imperative that, further research and exchange of ideas are conducted to identify how the social and cultural institutions of Africa can support African political institutions to bring about the desired change in Africa. The ICACD 2008 will examine how global actions, Policies and Programs for Africa are affected by the various cultures in Africa. More importantly, the conference will look at how the culture and the social set up of African societies will compliment programs and policies directed at achieving desired goals in the MDGs. The conference is a wonderful opportunity for all stakeholders to discuss what is happening in Africa and why we are not achieving targets in Africa.

A triennial international conference (since 1978); papers on British and American literature, general and applied linguistics, translation and cultural studies, TESOL; selected papers will be published by the Jagiellonian University Press.

Please e-mail individual abstracts or panel proposals to Prof. Paul Budra at budra@sfu.ca. Include the proposal as part of the body of the email, not as an attachment. Individual abstracts should be a maximum of 500 words and may address any aspect of punk. Panel proposals should include a panel title, the names of three presenters, their abstracts, and the name of the panel chair. The deadline for submissions is January 4th, 2008

Zagros Traditional Settlements International Conference 30 April - 2 May 2008, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran CALL FOR PAPERS The first conference on Zagros Traditional Settlements will be co-hosted by the University of Kurdistan and INTBAU (International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism). The main theme of the conference is the socio-spatial character of traditional settlements in the Zagros Mountains area, and will bring together scholars from the Zagros region with national and international academics with experience of researching and studying traditional settlements. The conference will take place in the city of Sanandaj, which was the historic Kurdish capital for many centuries. Zagros is the name of mountains range shared between three countries of Iran, Iraq and Turkey. They make up Iran and Iraq's largest mountain range and define the western edge of the Iranian plateau and were recognised as the single physical phenomenon which has had a major influence in shaping Kurdish history, people, traditions, and culture. Conference Objectives Karaman believe that “built forms of traditional settlements spring from the physical characteristics of a site”. As the first context in which built form takes shape, there is an interface with social requirements and environment factors such as climate and the social and psychological demands of the community to achieve symbolic and expressive values over the course of time. For Rapoport, traditional built form is highly “place-specific", which means it is bound up with and determined by place, social parameters and the factor of time. Considering these leading points, the aim of this conference is to provide a platform for discussion and sharing of information on issues and challenges related to traditional settlements with special emphasis on the socio-spatial character of traditional settlements in the Zagros Mountains area. The conference also aims at stimulating inter-disciplinary discussions and networking to further enhance and enrich the knowledge of academics, practitioners and professionals in traditional settlements. Topics We would welcome papers exploring a range of issues relevant to traditional settlements. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER OF TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENTS SOCIO-CULTURAL ASPECTS OF TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENTS URBAN AND RURAL PLANNING TRADITIONAL URBAN FORM, HERITAGE ARCHITECTURE, HISTORICAL ASPECTS, VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE, RESTORATION AND REDEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT SCHEMES AND MAINTENANCE, TRADITIONAL ASPECTS IN CONSTRUCTION , NEW APPROACHES IN CONSTRUCTION , CASE-STUDIES FROM ZAGROS Papers should represent high-quality and unpublished work, not under review by any other scientific committee or journal. Abstract Submission The organizers invite participation by interested academics and professionals. Proposals for papers should be submitted electronically through the websites (www.uok.ac.ir/zts-confe) or as email attachments to the following e-mail: zagros@uok.ac.uk All abstracts (in English and Persian/Farsi) are limited to one A4 page and should contain the name of author(s), affiliation, postal address, email address, telephone number, title of paper, and a 300-word abstract. Contributor will be informed of acceptance of their abstract as soon as the conference committee receives the abstract. Authors of accepted abstracts will be asked to submit full papers and the guidelines for full papers submission will be provided. All accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings Calendar Launch of the Call for Papers: 6 August 2007 - Abstract Submission: October 22, 2007 Notification of Acceptance: November 21, 2007 Full Papers Submission: February 8, 2008 Notification of Acceptance: March 10 2008 The time of conference: 30 April - 2 May 2008 Contributor will be informed of acceptance of their Conference Outline This first conference on Zagros Traditional Settlements is planned from Wednesday 30th April to Friday 2nd May, with a further informal day (Friday 3rd May) for a day tour of the Zivieh Ancient Fortress and Caraftou Ancient Cave northeast of Divandareh City. The main programme includes a day tour of the Awraman-Marivan region in the west of Kurdistan province on Friday 2nd May. Evening entertainment will be provided by local music and dance groups. Scientific Committee 1. Dr Mahyar Ardeshiri, school of art and architecture, university of Shiraz, Iran 2. Dr Ali Asgari, University of York. Canada 3. Dr. Simon Ayvazian, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Iran 4. Dr Mustafa Behzadfar, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, University of Science and Technology, Iran 5. Dr. Hooshang Dabagh, Department of Civil engineering, university of Kurdistan, Iran 6. Dr. Michel Denès, École d'architecture de Versailles, École Spéciale d'Architecture, Paris, France 7. Dr Drab Diba, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Iran 8. Mr Douglas Duany, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, USA 9. Dr Rahman Eghbali, University of Qazvin, Iran 10. Dr. Kyoumars Habibi, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, university of Kurdistan, Iran 11. Dr Matthew Hardy, Secretary of International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism, UK 12. Dr Mehrdad Hejazi, Centre for Traditional Structures, University of Isfahan, Iran 13. Dr. Aboulfazl Meshkini, Zanjan university, Iran 14. Dr. Kayoumars Irandoost, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, university of Kurdistan, Iran 15. Dr Peter Kellett, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK 16. Dr Ahmad Khoushnouvis, Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization 17. Dr Ali Madanipour, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK 18. Dr. Mostafa Momenee, Department of Geography, University of Shahid Beheshti, Iran 19. Dr. Babk Nasroulahbaegi, Department of Civil engineering, Azad University of Sanandaj, Iran 20. Dr Farshad Nourian, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Iran 21. Dr Jahan-Shah Pakzad, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, University of Shahid Beheshti, Iran 22. Dr. Abdoreza Pakshir, school of art and architecture, university of Shiraz, Iran 23. Dr. Parviz Piran, Department of Social Research, Allameh Tabatabaiee University, Iran 24. Dr. Ahmad Poorahmad, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Iran 25. Ahmed Saeednia, Urban Planning department, University of Tehran, Iran 26. Dr. Mozaffar Sarafi, Department of Geography, University of Shahid Beheshti, Iran 27. Dr. Esmaeil shieh, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, University of Science and Technology, Iran 28. Dr Graham Tipple, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK Organizing Committee Dr. Kayoumars Irandoost, University of Kurdistan Dr. Kyoumars Habibi, University of Kurdistan Mr. Sirvan Lahoorpour, University of Kurdistan Mr. Salahedin Molanaei, University of Kurdistan Mr. Salahedin Vaiesi, University of Kurdistan Mr. Merdad Yousefzamani, Ph.D Student, University of Science and Technology Mr. Bakhtiar Bahrami, Ph.D Student , University of Tehran Mis. Sara Sulaimani, Ph.D Student, University of Science and Technology Mr. Farshid Gouroohi, Sanandaj Payam-e-Noor University Mr. Mohammed Rasouli. Kurdistan Housing and Urban Development Mr Arsalan Tahmasebi, Azad University of Sanandaj Mr. Behnam Rezwani, Azad University of Sanandaj Mrs. Senoor Ahmadi, Kurdistan General Governorship Mr Mansoor qazaqie, Sanandaj Municipality Supporting Organizations Cultural Heritage Organization of Kurdistan Institue of Research in Cultural Heritage and Tourism Sanandaj Municipality Kurdistan Housing Foundation of Islamic Revolution Kurdistan Housing and Urban Development Kirmanshah Housing and Urban Development Azad University of Sanandaj Sanandaj Payam-e-Noor University Kurdistan Construction Engineering Organization Kurdistan General Governorship Iranian Society of urban Planners (ISUP) Iranian Society of Architects (ISA) Syndicate of Consulting Architects and Planners of Iran Registration Fees All presenters and participants are requested to register for the conference by February 9, 2008. Registration process can be made via online form below or send the downloaded form to the following email: zagros@uok.ac.ir or fax: +988716660073. The fees are as follows: Registration Fee per person is listed below for different categories: (1) Author Registration Fee before February 9th, 2008 (1A) Foreign delegates : €100 (1B) Foreign students : €80 (1C) Iranian delegates: 800/000 Rials (1D) Iranian students : 600/0000 Rials 10% discounts for early birds before February 9, 2008 (2) Non-Author Registration (3A) Foreign delegates : €120 (3B) Foreign students : €100 (3C) Iranian delegates; 1/000/000 Rials (3D) Iranian students : 750/0000 Rials Payment should be made to the following account number: 1108071849 Zagros Traditional Settlements, Hooshmand Alizadeh & Salahedin Molanaei SWIFT code: BTEJIRTHSNJ The registration fee covers a CD (conference proceedings), abstract presentation, keynote speeches, 2 lunches, coffee and tea, and desserts. In order to get the full paper published in the Conference Proceedings, one registration for each article is required. Official languages English and Farsi/Persian Further details Scientific Committee Secretariat Dr. Hooshmand Alizadeh Department of Architecture and Planning Faculty of Engineering University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran Tel +98 871 6660076 Fax +98 871 6660076 halizadeh@uok.ac.irract as soon as the confer committee receives the abstract. Authors of accepted abstracts will be asked to submit full papers and the guidelines for full papers submission will be provided. All accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedi

Hello folks, This is your friendly reminder about the 2008 Romance Slam Jam readers' and writers' conference (Apr 30 - may 4 2008, Chicago IL). Registration is open. I know May seems a long way off, but we want to see you all there and hopefully need to schedule additional reader sessions and workshops. So grab a friend or come solo. For full details, visit http://www.romanceslamjamconference.com Be sure to sign up for the monthly newsletter. If you still have questions after viewing the website, email me at deatri@romanceslamj am.org Romance Slam Jam 2008 Event Overview Welcome Reception Once a year, readers and authors of Black romance come together in a reunion of sorts. Come on out to the welcome reception to catch up with old friends and welcome new members to the Romance Slam Jam family. Reader Sessions: Come spend quality time with your favorite authors and discuss their past, present and future projects! With twenty-eight Reader Sessions, you are sure to be in Reader Heaven! Here are the authors slated to participate in the Reader sessions: AC Arthur, Alice Wootson, Altonya Washington, Ann Clay, Barbara Keaton, Bettye Griffin, Beverly Jenkins, Carol Ann Culbert Johnson, Celeste O. Norfleet, Cheris Hodges,Crystal Rhodes, Deatri King-Bey, Deborah Fletcher Mello, Deirdre Savoy, Denise Jeffries, Donna Hill, Dyanne Davis, Elaine Overton, Earl Sewell, Evelyn Palfrey, Francis Ray, Gloria Mallette, Gregory K. Morris, Gwyneth Bolton, Gwynne Forster, J. Jermayne, J. M. Jeffries, Karen White-Owens, Kayla Perrin, Kimberly Kaye Terry, Kimberly White, Kim Louise, Kim Robinson, LaConnie Taylor-Jones, Linda Hudson-Smith, Lisa G. Riley, Marilyn Tyner, Mary B. Morrison, Melanie Schuster, Michelle Larks, Michelle Monkou, Monica Jackson, Monique Lamont, Mr. Talley, Natalie Dunbar, Nathasha Brooks-Harris, Pamela Leigh Starr, Pam Osbey, Patricia Sargeant, Rhonda Jackson Joseph, Rochelle Alers, Roslyn Hardy Holcomb, Sean Young, Seressia Glass, Shelia Goss, Sherryle Jackson, Sylvia Hubbard, TaMara Dillard, T. Rhythm Knight, Tracee L. Garner, Wayne Jordan Intimate Sessions: Ten select readers will meet with the author of the hour. Intimate Sessions are your opportunity to have a more personal setting to hang out with your favorite author. These sessions will be conducted in the Presidential Suite and light hors d’oeuvre and/or a “Taste Of Chicago” will be served. Intimate Session Authors: Alice Wootson, AlTonya Washington, Beverly Jenkins, Deirdre Savoy, Donna Hill, Evelyn Palfrey, Francis Ray, Gloria Mallette, Gwyneth Bolton, Gwynne Forster, Kimberly Kaye Terry, Kim Louise, Marilyn Tyner, Mary B. Morrison, Rochelle Alers, Seressia Glass, Shelia Goss, Wayne Jordan Workshops: Character development, setting, research, promotions, taxes for writers…it’s all in there and a whole lot more. Learn the craft and your way around the publishing industry! Find out what the future holds for various publishing houses. Do you read book reviews? Would you like to join a review team? Don’t miss the panel discussion by members of some fantastic review teams. Keynote Luncheon This year’s keynote speaker, Alice Wootson, is a teacher who started writing novels after she retired. Her first novel, Snowbound with Love, was published in 2000. Her 10th novel, Ready to Take a Chance, was released in December, 2006. Mr. Romance Slam Jam It’s Friday night, what’s a romance lover to do? Hmmmm, how about attend the Mr. Romance Slam Jam Contest? Come on out and help select who will be Mr. Romance Slam Jam 2008. We’ll dance a little, give door prizes and have a lot of fun. Between the festivities, the Mr. Romance Slam Jam finalist will perform a scene from our favorite romance novels with various authors and readers. We’ll all vote, and the winner will be announced at the Emma Awards Banquet. The winner will receive a photo shoot to be on a cover of a romance novel. Please note the Mr. Romance Slam Jam contest is still under works. If we do not have the contest, we will have a fun-filled Friday Night Bash. Book Signing: For those of you who have never attended a Romance Slam Jam book signing, you are in for a treat. We know that over the years you have saved your favorite romance novels. The Book Signing is your chance to have those novels signed by the attending authors! (This event is open to the public. A book vendor will be there for additional novels) Emma Awards Banquet: Named after the co-founder of the Romance Slam Jam, the Emma Awards is the premier awards event for readers and authors of Black romance. Pass The Torch/Town Hall: Though we wish the conference would never end, we must all return home. Before you leave, we need to have a Romance Slam Jam family discussion, pass the torch to the next host city and say goodbye to our friends. See you at the Slam Jam Deatri King-Bey http://www.romanceslamjamconference.com Additional Information Romance Slam Jam 2008 Conference Fees Group Registration fee (5 people or more): $175 per person Deadline for Group Registration: December 31, 2007 Early-bird Registration: $200 Deadline for Early-bird registration: December 31, 2007 Regular Registration fee: $225 Deadline for Regular Registration: February 28, 2008 Late Registration fee: $250 **The registration fee gains you entrance into all of the Romance Slam Jam Conference events. If you are planning on bringing a guest who will not be attending the conference but would like to attend the Emma’s, Keynote Luncheon, or Mr. Romance Slam Jam Contest, please purchase them a ticket for said event(s). The prices for those tickets are below. Additional Keynote Luncheon Tickets: $50 each Additional Emma Awards Banquet Tickets: $100 each Additional Mr. Romance Slam Jam Contest Tickets: $10 each Chicago Transit Authority 1-day Visitor Pass: $5 each Please refer to the website for full details.

fmx/08 – 13th International Conference on Animation, Effects, Realtime and Content fmx is the primary European meeting of the digital community, addressing the interests of artists, production specialists, producers and distributors from all corners of the industry. Renowned speakers demonstrate behind-the-scenes techniques and innovative approaches from film, TV and games production as well as visualization, mobile entertainment and more. Meet top names in the industry as they present their latest achievements, interview with recruiters searching for new talent and test hard- and software innovations directly with developers – all in an open atmosphere of qualified discussion and informal encounter. The level of knowledge and experience and the openness with which it is shared has made fmx a set date for cg professionals all around the world. fmx/08 is an event by Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Postproduction and takes place from May 05 – 08, 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany.

fmx/08 – 13th International Conference on Animation, Effects, Realtime and Content fmx is the primary European meeting of the digital community, addressing the interests of artists, production specialists, producers and distributors from all corners of the industry. Renowned speakers demonstrate behind-the-scenes techniques and innovative approaches from film, TV and games production as well as visualization, mobile entertainment and more. Meet top names in the industry as they present their latest achievements, interview with recruiters searching for new talent and test hard- and software innovations directly with developers – all in an open atmosphere of qualified discussion and informal encounter. The level of knowledge and experience and the openness with which it is shared has made fmx a set date for cg professionals all around the world. fmx/08 is an event by Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Postproduction and takes place from May 05 – 08, 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany.

The conference will be held at the town of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, in the portuguese north region of Douro. The region of Douro is well known all over the world as the origin of one of the most world's famous wines: the Port Wine. This region became World Cultural Heritage in the year of 2001. This region has been occupied by human beings since pre-historical ages, making this valley a huge source of data for archaeologists and historians. In the valley of River Côa, an affluent of Douro that gives name to the town, is locate the biggest open air prehistoric rock-art site of the world, dating from the upper Palaeollithic period. This archaeological park became also World Cultural Heritage in the year of 1998. The conference programme will take place at the Culture House of Vila Nova de Foz Côa. In this building you will find an auditorium with capacity for 180/200 attendants, a small auditorium with capacity for 60 attendants, rooms for other sessions and meetings, a modern press and technical support room, a lunch room, a bar, and a sort of facilities and modern equipments to support the conference, such as internet access, multi-language system, data show equipment and several available computers. To receive you all for this conference, will wait for you at Porto, which historical centre is World Heritage City since 1996. Than we'll to take you on a trip along the Douro landscape, in an amazing and wonderful train promenade to Vila Nova de Foz Côa. In the last day, we'll take you back to Porto along the river to visit the world famous Port Wine cellars.