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Call for Papers "The Evolution of Islamic Politics, Philosophy and Culture in the Middle East and Africa: From Traditional Limits to Modern Extremes" Interdisciplinary Conference Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA) Washington, D.C. (USA) 24-26 April 2008 __________________________________________________ Overview ASMEAs inaugural conference will be held in April 2008 in Washington, D.C. and is entitled: The Evolution of Islamic Politics, Philosophy and Culture in the Middle East and Africa: From Traditional Limits to Modern Extremes. The principal goal of the conference is to seek insights into the unique influence of Islamic political traditions on these regions and how they have changed over time. Additional goals include furthering understanding of the Islamic theological, juristic and practical traditions that express themselves in the political arenas in these regions, as well as the modern-day iterations of these traditions. For more details on the structure of the conference, please click here. Themes Panel 1: Islam and Politics-Theological and Philosophical Traditions in the M.E. and Africa: This panel will explore the Islamic religious and philosophical sources on politics, and Islams rejection of despotism and emphasis on consultation. Panel 2: Islam and Politics-Juristic and Practical Traditions in the M.E. and Africa: This panel focuses on Islamic legal, and non-Islamic indigenous practical traditions as they impact politics. Panel 3: The Role of Islam in Politics: Confessional Expressions: Among the questions that will be explored are how the sects organize and rule the faithful, what is the role of the Waqf, how social welfare systems are used as political tools, and what are the roles of the powerless (slaves, unbelievers and women). Panel 4: The Role of Islam in Politics: Regional Case Studies: Case studies from a variety of countries and regions within the Middle East and Africa will be highlighted on this panel. Also, the interplay of Islam, politics and modern Western political influences such as nationalism, patriotism, Socialism, Nazism, and Communism will be explored. Panel 5: Jihad as a Religious Obligation and Political Expression: The panel will explore the obligations of the faithful to wage offensive and defensive jihad, the definitions of the enemy and the objectives in jihad, and how they have changed over time. Panel 6: Consultation and Communication: Mediating Influences in Societies Influenced by Islam: The concept of consultation in limiting the power of rulers, the importance of the pulpit and Haj in fostering communication, the impact of the modern media, and the role of women and tribal, ethnic, sectarian, and occupational ties will be explored. Panel 7: What is Justice (Civil Society) Islamic Style?: How is justice/civil society defined in Islamic, M.E. and African terms and what is the status of justice/civil society in the modern M.E. and Africa? Panel 8: Islam, Democracy and Human Rights: How are democracy and human rights defined in Islamic, M.E. and African terms and what are the consistencies, inconsistencies, opportunities and dangers for promoting democracy in the regions? Submissions The Association currently is seeking proposals to present papers at the 2008 conference. Proposals should pertain to a specific panel and consist of a one page outline of the subject. All contact data must be attached to the proposal (name, email, phone number, affiliation). The due date for proposals is February 1, 2008. Proposals should be sent to: [email protected]. ASMEA members from any discipline who are tenured or un-tenured faculty may submit proposals to participate on specific panels in the conference. Unique proposals from senior graduate students (ABD) also will be considered. Individuals selected to present their papers will have their conference registration fee refunded and their lodging provided free of charge. All decisions to invite presenters to participate on panels will be made by the Associations officers and members of the Academic Council. The due date for the final drafts of papers is March 28, 2008. Referees and Discussants Members of the Association who are interested in participating in the conference as referees of papers or discussants should contact ASMEA by email with a letter of interest and the panels/areas you are interested in covering. Please include all current contact data (name, email, phone number) and a brief recitation of your past experience in these roles if any. Referees and discussants may attend the conference free of charge. Interested parties should send an email to: [email protected] Contact: Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA) P.O. Box 33699 Washington, DC 20033 USA Phone: +1 202 429 8860 Fax: +1 202 429 8863 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.asmeascholars.org __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org
