Call for Papers "Exploring Religion, Nature and Culture" Inaugural Conference International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture University of Florida Gainesville, FL (USA) 6-9 April 2006
You are cordially invited to submit paper and session proposals for the Inaugural Conference of the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, to be held at the University of Florida, in Gainesville, 6-9 April 2006. The mission of the Society is to promote critical, interdisciplinary inquiry into the relationships among human beings and their diverse cultures, environments, and religious beliefs and practices. We are especially interested in proposals that explore the history of scholarly inquiry into the above-mentioned relationships, and that reflect on where this increasingly interdisciplinary field should go from here. All papers and sessions that cohere with the mission of the society are welcome. These can include research grounded in at least four broad areas of inquiry, including: 1) Biophysical Sciences Research exploring through any branch of the natural sciences the connections between humans and the living systems upon which they depend, including research grounded in cognitive science, evolutionary biology, sociobiology, analyses of the role of natural science in religious thought, or critical reflections on the theoretical, philosophical, practical aspects of ecological science for religious traditions and ethical debates. 2) Social Sciences Qualitative or quantitative analyses spotlighting the role of belief systems in human/environment relations, including research grounded in anthropology, geography, political science, psychology, or sociology. Other possibilities include analysis of human valuations and behaviors that impact the biophysical environment (i.e., studies of consumption, population, or political mobilization), and the role of nature-related religion in environmental protection or restoration, conflict exacerbation or resolution. 3) Humanities Studies exploring the religion in nature/human relationships in philosophy, literature (including sacred texts), art, and history. 4) Constructive and Normative Studies Religious and ethical perspectives concerning human obligations to ecosystems and other living things, including research on religious and philosophical investigations of the human/nature interface, or ethical analysis or argument rooted in some aspect of nature religion or world religious tradition. Papers and Panels (including unusually or creatively structured sessions) are also encouraged in areas that do not directly fall into the above categories. Paper proposals should be submitted with a title and an abstract of no more than 250 words. Session proposals should include a title, a maximum 500 word description, and if individual papers are proposed, individual titles and abstracts for them. Session length may vary, but plan on two hour sessions. Please send all paper and panel proposals to Laura Hobgood-Oster as soon as possible and no later than 15 January 2006: [email protected] Conference co-chairs: Laura Hobgood-Oster (Southwestern University) phone: +1-512-863-1669 email: [email protected] Rick Stepp (University of Florida) phone: +1-352-392-0299 email: [email protected] Conference website: http://www.religionandnature.com/society _________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org/ Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://agd.polylog.org/cal/
