War in American History and Culture:
Representations, Legacies, Consequences, and Global Impacts
Centre for English, Translation and Anglo-Portuguese Studies
– American Intersections Research Strand –
As 2025 marks the anniversaries of pivotal moments in American history—160 years since the end of the Civil War, 80 years since the conclusion of World War II, and 50 years since the fall of Saigon—this conference seeks to explore the profound and multifaceted role that war has played in shaping the history, culture, and geopolitical standing of the United States. This anniversary year invites a deep reflection on how these experiences of war have influenced American identity, institutions, and international relations.
The American Intersections Strand of CETAPS invites scholars, researchers, and practitioners from diverse fields—including history, political science, sociology, literature, cultural studies, and others—to submit proposals that involve the theme of war and its enduring impact on American life. Contributions that highlight intersections between war and race, class, gender, and memory are particularly welcome.
Suggested Topics Include:
War and the American Identity:
- The Civil War’s legacy on race, regionalism, and national unity.
- World War II: From “The Greatest Generation”/ “The Good War” to its global implications.
- Vietnam and its cultural aftershocks: Protest, patriotism, and polarization.
The Consequences of War:
- Psychological and societal trauma: Veterans, families, and communities.
- Economic and infrastructural transformations wrought by wartime efforts.
- Post-war geopolitics and the reordering of global alliances and power dynamics.
- America’s Failed Forever Wars: From Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan
- The rise of anti-American sentiments across the globe
Violence, Resistance, and Memory:
- Representations of war in literature and visual arts
- Narratives of resistance: From abolitionist movements to anti-war activism.
- The role of monuments in memorializing war.
- Journalism in American wars.
- How wars are taught and remembered in educational curricula.
Race, Gender, and Class in Wartime:
- Enslavement, emancipation, and the Civil War’s impact on African American lives.
- Women in war: From support roles to combatants, and their post-war struggles.
- Labor and economic mobilization: Class divides and contributions to wartime efforts.
Contemporary Reflections on War:
- Lessons from past conflicts for today’s global challenges.
- The ongoing legacy of 9/11 and the War on Terror in American society.
- Ethical considerations of modern warfare: Technology, drones, and cyber conflict.
- The impact of war in the environment.
Submission Guidelines:
Abstracts of no more than 300 words should be submitted by September 15, 2025. Please include a title, your name, institutional affiliation, contact information and a short bionote (100 words) and send it to:
Isabel Oliveira imom@fcsh.unl.pt
Teresa Botelho tdbs@fcsh.unl.pt
Notifications of acceptance will be sent by September 30, 2025.
Conference Details:
The conference will be held at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Nova University of Lisbon, Avenida de Berna, 26C, Lisboa.
Registration Fees:
Full registration fee: 100 Euros
Student registration fee: 50 Euros
Organizing Committee:
Isabel Oliveira (CETAPS/ NOVA University of Lisbon, FCSH)
Teresa Botelho (CETAPS/ NOVA University of Lisbon, FCSH)
Rogério Miguel Puga (CETAPS/ NOVA University of Lisbon, FCSH)
Teresa Pereira (CETAPS/ NOVA University of Lisbon, FCSH)
Rui Mateus (CETAPS/ NOVA University of Lisbon, FCSH)
Alice Carletto (CETAPS/ NOVA University of Lisbon, FCSH)
Catarina Almeida (CETAPS/ NOVA University of Lisbon, FCSH)
Mariana Cruz (CETAPS/ NOVA University of Lisbon, FCSH)
Scientific Committee:
Isabel Oliveira (CETAPS/ NOVA University of Lisbon, FCSH)
Teresa Botelho (CETAPS/ NOVA University of Lisbon, FCSH)
Maria Teresa Castilho (CETAPS / University of Porto, FLUP)
Marinela Freitas (CETAPS / University of Porto, FLUP)
Gonçalo Cholant (CETAPS / University of Coimbra, FLUC)
Contact Information: cetaps@fcsh.unl.pt
Join us in exploring how the United States’ experiences with war have shaped its past, define its present, and influence its future. We look forward to your contributions to this important dialogue.