Twelfth Annual Tennessee Undergraduate Classics Research Conference
February 24, 2024
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
— Call for Papers —
The students and faculty of the Department of Classics at the University of Tennessee are pleased to announce the call for papers for the Twelfth Annual Tennessee Undergraduate Classics Research Conference, to be held in Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 24, 2024. This conference will pertain to a wide variety of topics concerning the classical world, with paper sessions organized thematically, based on the papers accepted. Abstracts will be considered from any discipline within classical studies (archaeology, history, philology, art history, etc.) or a related field. Interdisciplinary studies and topics in Egyptology, the ancient Near East, and other Mediterranean-adjacent topics are encouraged. Examples range from an analysis of the rhetoric of a Demosthenic speech to a report of the findings of a current excavation to a commentary on the hybridization of style in Pompeian wall painting (this is not an exhaustive list).
Abstract Submission
Abstracts should be no more than 250 words, double-spaced, in 12 pt. Times New Roman font, submitted as an email attachment to Dr. Stephen Collins-Elliott at sce@utk.edu. Please do not include your name on the attached abstract, but provide your name, affiliation, and paper title in your email. You must have a preliminary bibliography of at least three sources listed after your abstract. Paper presentations will be 15 minutes.
The Tennessee Undergraduate Classics Research Conference accepts submissions only from undergraduate students: all submissions made by graduate students will be automatically rejected. Only one abstract may be submitted per presenter; multiple submissions will automatically be rejected.
All abstract submissions must be made by 5:00 PM EST on Monday, November 20th, 2023, submitted via email to Dr. Stephen Collins-Elliott at sce@utk.edu. You will receive a decision on your submission on or by Dec. 2, 2023.
Although this is an undergraduate conference, it should be treated as a professional opportunity. Please take care to develop the thesis for your paper, re-read your abstract for clarity, and seek feedback from your peers and professors. In addition to the merits of your topic and ideas, clarity, concision, and presentability are all considered in evaluating your abstracts.
Lodging, Travel Accommodations, and Meals
The University of Tennessee will provide lodging for the nights of February 23 and 24 for presenters traveling to Knoxville from out-of-town. Arrangements are pending the student’s confirmation of attendance. Presenters are not required to accept the lodging offered by the University, but if you seek non-conference lodging, you will be expected to find and pay for alternate accommodations.
The University does not offer travel grants in order to attend the conference. Presenters are responsible for paying for their own travel to the University.
The conference will hold a reception with dinner the night of February 23 before the conference, and will provide lunch for presenters the day of the conference. Please let us know if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions. Presenters are responsible for all other meals.
Accessibility
The Department of Classics supports inclusivity, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic, gender, or sexual identities. Furthermore, it is important to us to make our conference accessible to those who require special accommodations, in respect to hearing and sight impairments, wheelchair accessibility, and other disabilities. Please contact Humanities Shared Services at humanitiessharedserv@utk.edu or at 865-974-5383 if you have any conditions for which you would need assistance during the conference.
Additional Information
This event is organized by the students and faculty of the University of Tennessee's Department of Classics. It will take place at Strong Hall at the University of Tennessee, 1621 West Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996.
Audio-visual equipment will be available for presenters. Presentations should last no more than fifteen minutes (with five additional minutes for Q&A afterwards).
There will be a $50 registration fee for all presenters, which covers the cost of dinner on Friday, lunch on the day of the conference, and part of your accommodation.
Any additional questions may be addressed to Dr. Stephen Collins-Elliott, at sce@utk.edu.
