U.S. Intellectual History Blog

Panel Participants Wanted, Emerson Society @ ALA Conf.

The Emerson Society is soliciting papers for two panels at the American Literature Association annual conference in San Francisco in May, 2008 and for its program at the Thoreau Society Gathering in Concord, Massachusetts in July, 2008.

Panel I: American Literature Association, May 2008. Emerson’s Representations of Asia, Asia’s Representations of Emerson

Given the recent interest in Emerson and transnational studies, as well as Emerson’s well-known interest in Asian culture, the Emerson Society invites paper proposals on all aspects of Emerson and transpacific cultural interchange. Email 300-word abstracts to Todd H. Richardson ([email protected]) by December 15.

Panel II: American Literature Association, May 2008. Emerson and War

Given our persistently bellicose world, the Emerson Society invites paper proposals on Emerson and war, considered philosophically, historically, or biographically. Possible approaches could, for example, examine the development or disconnect of his thought regarding war or his relation to major conflicts involving the U.S. military or other world powers. Email 300-word abstracts to Todd H. Richardson ([email protected]) by December 15.

Emerson Society Graduate Student Travel Award

Provides up to $750 of travel support to one of the panels described above. Submit your 300-word abstract by Dec. 15, 2007 to Todd H. Richardson at [email protected] and indicate your desire for consideration.

Thoreau Society Gathering, July 2008. Emerson and Social Reform

In concert with the Thoreau Gathering’s 2008 theme, “The Individual and the State: The Politics of Thoreau in Our Time,” for its panel the Emerson Society solicits papers that explore Emerson’s engagement with the practical ethics of reform in his life, writings, or influence. Reform movements and political interests which have received relatively little attention are particularly welcome. Please email 300-word abstracts by November 15 to Todd H. Richardson at [email protected].