This conference will address a range of subjects from disciplines including history, anthropology, literature and cultural studies, as well as political science that investigate the diversity of social, cultural, economic and political locations of tribal life, as well as evocations, and interpretations of tribalism in the Middle East in past and present. The geographical focus of the conference will be limited to Iraq, Yemen, and Jordan/Syria in order to facilitate debate and enhance comparability on the one hand, and because of the particular currency of these geographical boundaries in the contemporary Middle East. Chronologically, papers will focus on the modern period from the 19th century to the present day, while some participants might be invited to address long-term perspectives in their papers.

The two-day conference is co-sponsored by TARII, the University of Maryland, and the American Institute of Yemeni Studies (AIYS).

For more information and to RSVP, visit tribesumd.com.