Call for Papers

Please submit abstracts by August 1, 2009

CALL FOR PAPERS 

International Conference on the Liberal Arts:

Looking Back & Moving Forward

The Next 100 Years of Liberal Arts - Confronting the Challenges

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2010
St. Thomas University
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada 

Internationalization, corporatization, the impoverishment/diminishment of government funding, and legacies of religious involvement are among the challenges that are having an impact on Liberal Arts education.  Such realities challenge the autonomy, accountability and perhaps even the integrity of Liberal Arts education.  The focus of this conference is multidisciplinary; it will be of particular interest to faculty, students, and universities with a strong Liberal Arts component. 

The 100^th Anniversary of the founding of St. Thomas University presents an occasion to take stock and look forward at the issues and challenges that Liberal Arts Universities and Colleges will encounter over the next 100 years. 

Sessions will include  

• scholarly papers and presentations
• keynote speakers
• workshops
• posters  

In this first Call for Papers, Abstract submissions are invited for an academic paper, poster or experiential workshop.  Proposals from students are welcome. Please submit abstracts by August 1, 2009 

Submissions are invited on diverse topics related to the conference theme, such as:

            1. Corporatization on campus-- a problem for the Liberal Arts?

            2. Rationalization, degradation and prospects of public funding for the Liberal Arts.

            3. Students at stake-- participation, governance and the commoditization of learning.

            4. Diversity, Inclusivity and changes in the student body

            5. Shaping the Liberal Arts curriculum.

            6. Professional education and the Liberal Arts.

            7. Ideals and realities of academic freedom in the Liberal Arts tradition.

            8. What place for the Liberal Arts in a global environment?

            9. Labouring in the academy-- unionization and the Liberal Arts campus.   

          10. Religious traditions-- what role on the Liberal Arts campus?

          11. The place of research in the Liberal Arts

          12. Fine Arts and the Liberal Arts 

Proposals should include: title, type of presentation (paper, poster, or workshop), objectives, 60 word and 200 word abstracts, and AV requirements.  Please submit proposals via email to Dr. John Coates jcoates@stu.ca  Papers based on presentations can be submitted for inclusion in conference proceedings or submitted for consideration for inclusion in a special issue of a scholarly journal. 

Conference information and registration is available on the soon to be available website .....For questions or further information, contact John Coates (jcoates@stu.ca)   Presentations may be in English or French.