Aloha from The Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy & Scotch Tape Shoppe, here in the Further South. We have come into possession of a call for papers and other forms of participation for a November 2006 conference entitled: Reclaiming Democracy: Visions and Practices from the Radical Left.
Although this conference, to be held at Creighton University in Omaha, is sponsored by the Radical Philosophy Association, the organizers
hope for wide participation from all walks of life. We believe that members of the dK family would thrive at this conference, as both presenters and as participants. Here is the published call:
Reclaiming Democracy: Visions and Practices from the Radical Left
The Seventh Biennial Conference of the Radical Philosophy Association
November 3-6, 2006
Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
The RPA Conference Program Committee invites submissions of talks, papers, workshops, roundtables discussions, posters, and other kinds of conference contributions, for its seventh biennial conference, to be held at Creighton University in Omaha Nebraska.
In the spirit of collaboration, and in the recognition that radical philosophy is often done outside traditional philosophical settings, we invite submissions not only from philosophers inside and outside the academy, but also from those who engage in theoretical work in other academic disciplines--such as ethnic studies, women's studies, social sciences and literary studies--and from those engaged in theoretical work unconnected to the academy. We especially welcome contributions from those often excluded from or marginalized in philosophy, including people of color, gays and lesbians, persons with disabilities, poor and working class persons. We also hope for submissions from other nations with social movements against the present global order, and from graduate students, who represent the future of radical philosophy.
Conference Theme
We live in a time both dreadful and hopeful: dreadful because the United States, under the control of a powerful neo-conservative minority, has embraced and instituted a global policy of militaristic unilateralism under the pretense of spreading democracy and freedom, hopeful because this very approach has sparked unprecedented global protest and has given rise to powerful networks of resistance.
In response to global injustice we, as radical philosophers, serve as witnesses, stand in solidarity with those who suffer, speak out against oppression, and mourn the deaths that constitute the wake of empire. We resist the cultural, economic, political, social hegemony sought and imposed by the United States and by all imperial superpowers. We reclaim democracy B the power of individuals and communities to shape their own lives and visions and futures.
In this the Seventh National Conference of the Radical Philosophy Association, we seek to examine both the dread and the hope by thematizing radical visions and practices. We welcome papers that will provide visions both of the present situation and of concrete possibilities for our shared future; we welcome papers that will discuss workable radical social, cultural, political, or pedagogical practices that can be implemented on the community, national, and/or international level. We wish to avoid the kind of theoretical or practical talk which, in its over-generalization, often becomes hollow and idle, in favor of substantive and serviceable ideas and strategies which will help us to meet the challenges of the present and build our shared future. Thinking about the future should be sufficiently specific to serve as a guide for drawing up projects of resistance and for social change. We seek to come together in order to understand the dreadful and to construct the resistance that is our hope.
Guidelines for Submissions
In keeping with the spirit of radical thinking embodied by the RPA, we encourage submissions that employ formats and media that challenge the standard conference presentation. For instance, we urge presenters to use formats that allow for greater interaction between participants and audience (e.g. presenting an outline, rather than reading a paper), and that emphasize collective inquiry (e.g. organizing a workshop). It should be noted that a selection of the accepted papers will be published in Volume 5 of Radical Philosophy Today.
To encourage discussion, papers should be limited to 3000 words.
Please note that participants will be selected for at most one presentation (talk, workshop, poster session, etc.) during the conference; submissions should be presented with this in mind. (This limit does not include chairing sessions.)
Individual Talk/Paper/Workshop/Poster Session/Other
Please submit all and only the following information:
1. Name
2. Address
3. Affiliation or independent scholar, activist, educator, etc.
4. Title of proposal
5. Nature of proposal (talk, workshop, other)
6. Abstract of 250-500 words only
Group
Note: Due to the length of sessions, we will only consider panels of NO MORE THAN three persons. Please submit all and only the following information:
1. Name of panel contact person, and of each panel member
2. Address of all panel members
3. Affiliation or independent scholar, activist, educator, etc. for each
4. Title of panel proposal
5. Nature of proposal (talk, workshop, other)
6. Abstract of 250-500 words only
7. Titles of individual papers
8. Abstract of 100-250 words for each paper (if relevant)
Chairing a Session
If you would be willing to serve as a session chair, please indicate this on your submission form. Session chairs are responsible for timing presentations, ensuring that each presenter gets her or his fair share of the available time, and moderating discussion when necessary.
Please send paper, workshop, poster, and other proposals to RPA PROGRAM COMMITTEE, c/o Anne Pomeroy, Philosophy and Religion, K150 Arts and Humanities, Richard Stockton College, Pomona NJ 08240. You may also submit proposals as email attachments: send to anne.pomeroy@stockton.edu NOTE: Please do NOT submit complete papers.
Deadline: All submissions must be postmarked by March 1, 2006.