AIHA invites presentations on the above topic by researchers and scholars
and encourages participation from American scholars of the humanities and
social sciences - history, romance languages, American literature,
linguistics, political science, anthropology, sociology, economics,
demography, etc. AIHA is especially interested in encouraging the
participation of scholars from Italy. Papers, films, works of non-fiction
such as memoirs, etc., examining how what was happening in Italy relates to
Italian-American history and literature and vice-versa are particularly
encouraged.

Some topics to consider: How did Italian-American and Italian organizations,
churches, neighborhoods respond to the war? What role did the war play in
determining Italian-American and Italian identity, politics, business,
culture, arts and sports? Other topics might focus on the impact of World
War II on Italian language instruction and usage; Italian-American women and
the war; the 1948 Italian election; Italian-American soldiers in Italy; POWs
and Italian internment in the United States; the impact of the war on
Italian-American organized crime; the passage from fascism to American
patriotism in Italian-American communities; the comparative study of the war
’s impact on Italian immigrants in Canada, the United States, Latin America,
Australia, England and elsewhere; postwar migration from Italy;
Italian-American images in the popular culture, media and literature related
to World War II; Italian-American war heroes; Italian-American veterans
organizations; Italian-American churches and World War II. 

Papers may also reflect upon an analysis of contemporary experiences with
World War II as a hallmark of change. What might be anticipated about future
“war” linking Italian Americans and Italy?

Proposals for papers should have a title and be no more than one typed page
in length. Proposals for panels and other presentations should include a
title and be no more than two typed pages. A 150-word biography of each
presenter and participant must be included with address, telephone number
and e-mail address. Special equipment, such as video or slide projector,
etc., must be requested as part of the proposal. Deadline for proposals is
May 1, 2002. Send proposals to: Dominic Candeloro, Executive Director, 169
Country Club Road, Chicago Heights, IL 60411. Email: D-Candeloro@govst.edu
<mailto:D-Candeloro@govst.edu>. E-mail communication is preferred.