Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

CALL  FOR  PAPERS
ICSA VII. WORLD CONGRESS
CHRISTIANITY & DEMOCRACY:
Jacques  Maritain  in  Perspective
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, USA, 30 October - 2 November 2008

    In an era Richard John Neuhaus designates as The Naked Public Square, where some perceive Christian symbols as violating the separation between church and state, it is timely to recall Jacques Maritain's thesis of the compatibility between Christianity and democracy, and explore his notion of Christianity as a necessary moral and spiritual underpinning of liberal democracy. Maritain's Thomistic synthesis of liberty and tradition focuses on the transcendent dignity of the human person, universal human rights, the slow building of institutions of liberty, reform, and gradual progress. Maritain's Christian humanism and personalism thus span two poles–liberal and conservative–rooted in the natural law and natural rights traditions. Maritain was optimistic concerning democratic prospects for humanity provided that a society's cultural habits were grounded in a theistic conception of human personhood, consociality, the moral "ought," and spiritual growth. He was impressed particularly by the American experiment and hopeful for the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights which he helped draft. The question arises: Can Maritain's integral humanism bridge the gap between liberal and conservative, secular and faith-based visions of the good life, individual fulfillment, and a more perfect commonwealth in the twenty-first century? In brief, does liberal democracy require a transcendent moral-spiritual vision?

 ICSA VII CONGRESS GUIDELINES:

   ICSA VII interdisciplinary theme endeavors to bring together scholars from a wide range of disciplines and denominations. We invite all colleagues for an exciting conference which takes both scholarship and faith seriously. Congress Venue: ICSA VII is co-sponsored by IIR-ICSA in the City of the Roses, home of the world-famous Tournament of Roses, in sunny Southern California, with many cultural/sightseeing opportunities.  Abstracts (250 words) due: 28 Sept. 2008: c/o Dr. O. Gruenwald, JIS Editor, 1065 Pine Bluff Dr., Pasadena, CA 91107, USA, per e-mail (no attachments) to: info@JIS3.org Include: First & Last Name, faculty or student, mailing address, phone number & e-mail. Publication: Fully-developed papers will be considered for publication in the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies XXI 2009. Congress Web: www.JIS3.org/icsavii.htm  Registration: Congress participants must preregister: $75 by 1 Sept. 2008; $100 after 1 Sept. 2008; $150 after 1 Oct. 2008.

 TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS:

   Lodging: Conference participants should make their own hotel and airline reservations as soon as possible. Hilton Pasadena Reservations: 1-800-445-8667 or 1-626-577-1000. Mention ICSA VII for Special Group Rate (till: 9-30-08): $159 (+ tax) single or double occupancy/per night. Bring an alarm clock and a sweater or jacket for cooler mornings and evenings. Pasadena Visitors Bureau: 1-800-307-7977. Pasadena boasts a wide range of accommodations ranging from thrifty bed & breakfast inns and motels to luxury hotels. Ground Transportation: Hilton Pasadena (168 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101) may be reached from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via shuttles, e.g., Super Shuttle (shared ride $22): 1-800-258-3826, or rent-a-car (ca. 45 minute drive).

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Co-Sponsored by: IIR/ICSA; Institutional Co-Sponsors Welcome

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