International, interdisciplinary cross-cultural symposium on higher education, free inquiry, pedagogy, teaching, learning, research, character formation, ethics, cultural renewal, democracy, human rights, individual liberty, censorship, civil society SYMPOSIUM CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS
THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION: REDISCOVERING FREE INQUIRY
HILTON PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, USA, 2-4 AUGUST 2018
Suggested Themes:
Can academe rise to 21st-century challenges of science and technology, specialization and humanistic education, globalization of commerce, the free flow of information vs. censorship, democracy vs. dictatorship? Interdisciplinary approaches to learning are gaining traction, breaking down walls, with buildings designed ideally as welcoming open spaces encouraging communities of learners across disciplines, fields, and specializations, reflecting the aspiration of a true liberal arts education. Yet, even liberal academics bemoan the increasing politicization of the academy and the threat to free speech posed by censorship. The ideological polarization in society now permeates academe where “political correctness” and its emphasis on race, ethnicity and gender buttress non-negotiable demands of identity politics endangering equally the educational mission of universities and the possibilities of popular self-government which presupposes compromises. On many college campuses, demands for speech codes, trigger warnings, safe spaces, sensitivity training, and intolerance of opposing viewpoints may lead ironically to a Sovietization of U.S. higher education. The postmodern aversion to transcendent normative standards offers no Archimedes point for charting more felicitous policies affirming human dignity, civility, and personal responsibility. The question arises: Can academe retrieve its true calling of training not only for jobs but also for responsible citizenship in a democracy which presupposes freedom of thought and speech, and the promise of education as free inquiry?
THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION 2018 SYMPOSIUM GUIDELINES:
THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM 2018 endeavors to bring together scholars from a wide range of disciplines and denominations for an exciting international conference that takes both scholarship and faith seriously. Symposium Venue: JIS Symposium 2018 is co-sponsored by IIR-ICSA-JIS in the City of the Roses–the world-famous Tournament of Roses–in sunny Southern California, with many cultural/sightseeing opportunities. Send Abstracts (250 words) by: March 1, 2018, to: Dr. O. Gruenwald, JIS Editor, 1065 Pine Bluff Dr., Pasadena, CA 91107, USA, per e-mail (no attachments) to: JIS 2018 Symposium (click for e-mail). Include: Paper Title, First & Last Name, faculty or student, mailing address, phone & e-mail. Publication: Fully-developed papers will be considered for publication in the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies XXXI 2019. Bonus: All attendees will receive a complimentary JIS copy. Conference Web: www.jis3.org/symposium2018. Registration: Symposium participants must preregister: $100 by 15 March 2018; $125 after 15 March 2018; $150 after 1 May 2018. Please note that there are no travel grants: participants (or their institutions) are expected to pay all expenses, including a modest registration fee (non-refundable, but tax-deductible). For less expensive lodging, contact: www.visitpasadena.com.
THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION 2018 SYMPOSIUM STRUCTURE:
Check-In: Thursday, August 2, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Hilton Pasadena. Reception: Thursday, August 2, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Main Symposium Program: Friday-Saturday, August 3-4, 8:45 AM – 6:00 PM; Keynote: Friday, August 3. Format: Multidisciplinary panels and papers. Participants are encouraged to attend the entire conference to enhance dialogue, synergy, and synthesis, as well as fellowship. Presenting a paper is not a prerequisite for participation. Indicate if you prefer to serve as discussant. Family members enjoy the reduced student registration rate. Audio-Visual Equipment: Bring laptop or flash drive if desired for PowerPoint presentation. Cultural/Ecclesial/Sightseeing: Before or after the conference. Optional Field Trips: Huntington Library & Gardens, Norton Simon Museum.
