Call for Papers
2012 Virginia Humanities Conference
Theme: Children and Childhood in the Humanities
Location: Roanoke College, Virginia
Date: March 23–24, 2012
Submission Deadline: February 15, 2012
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
The Virginia Humanities Conference invites proposals for papers and panel sessions that address the theme “Children and Childhood in the Humanities.” (Humanities disciplines include philosophy, religion, art, art history, cultural studies, communication, history, literature, music, and the performing arts.)
Although children have always been an integral part of the humanities, they have often been overlooked in scholarship. Yet it is not hard to find children inhabiting most of the central works—from the Odyssey, the Gospels, the Hindu epics, and the Tao te Ching, to coming-of-age novels and fantasy films.
Our concepts about childhood are central to our understanding of what it means to be human. Philosophers, religious leaders, creative artists—all have constructed arguments about the nature of children and childhood. Children have been regarded as miniature adults, sinful creatures, innocent minds, and creative beings. Childhood is here broadly defined but could include any stage from infancy to second childhood and even the inner child.
We want to encourage interdisciplinary exchange on this topic from a variety of fields. Contributions from the social sciences are welcome if they are focused on aspects of the humanities (e.g., a sociological reading of a novel or work of art).
Please submit a 250-word proposal by email to mdharris@roanoke.edu or by mail to Marwood Larson-Harris, Religion Department, Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, VA 24153. Proposals for panel sessions should identify all participants and include both an overview and a brief abstract of each presentation.
Faculty-directed undergraduate submissions are also welcome.
For more information, please visit www.vahumanitiesconference.org