Delta Symposium issues call for papers, presentations

The Department of English, Philosophy and World Languages at Arkansas State University has opened a call for papers and presentations for the 28th annual Delta Symposium, March 29 to April 1, 2023.

The Delta Symposium features a wide variety of scholarship and presentations that focus on the Delta’s history, culture and literature. Individual and panel presentations on topics relevant to the Arkansas and Mississippi Deltas and southeastern United States are welcome.

The Delta Symposium will feature special guest Si Kahn, now in his 57th year as a professional civil rights, union and community organizer, musician and author. He simultaneously has had successful careers as a composer, lyricist and script writer for musical theater, and as an internationally recognized songwriter, recording and performing artist.

Kahn began his social justice career in 1965 in Forrest City, working with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the young people’s wing of the Southern civil rights movement. His experiences in the Delta shine through in the music and lyrics he wrote for Some Sweet Day, a musical about the Arkansasbased Southern Tenant Farmers Union.

During the Delta Symposium Kahn will make presentations, work with university students, meet with symposium participants, and perform a concert of his original songs. The complete symposium call for papers is available online at

AState.edu/delta-symposium. The deadline for entries is Dec. 22, 2022.

Entries and inquiries may be directed to the Delta Symposium Committee, c/o Dr. Gregory Hansen, chair, Arkansas State University, Dept. of English, Philosophy and World Languages, P.O. Box 1890, State University, AR 72467, or ghansen@AState.edu, (870) 9723043.