The RPA Conference Program Committee invites submissions of talks, papers, workshops, roundtables discussions, posters and other kinds of conference contributions, for its fifth biennial conference, to be held at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island on November 7-10.

In the spirit of collaboration, and in the recognition that radical philosophy is often done outside traditional philosophical settings, we invite submissions not only from philosophers inside and outside the academy, but also from those who engage in theoretical work in other academic disciplines--such as ethnic studies, women's studies, social sciences and literary studies--and from those engaged in theoretical work unconnected to the academy.

We especially welcome contributions from those often excluded from or marginalized in philosophy, including people of color, glbt persons, persons with disabilities, poor and working class persons.

The Radical Philosophy Association is approaching its 20th year. It is appropriate that we reflect on radical philosophy--the endeavor that has brought members of the RPA together for a generation. Accordingly, the theme for its sixth national conference will be radical philosophy itself, its relation to social and political activism, and its potential,to contribute to one or more counter-hegemonies.

Despite (and often because of) differences in the kinds of activism in which we engage, in our philosophical styles and emphases, and even in our far-reaching goals, we in the RPA seem still to have an affinity that makes collaboration fruitful. We are all concerned about oppression-generating inequalities, about the limits of reform that is oblivious to the need for structural change, and about philosophies that leave no room for reflection on their own roots.

But is this affinity strong enough to be the basis for cooperating both among ourselves and with other broad social groups to create an effective movement? Or is this affinity so unsuited for that kind of cooperation that we can only wish each other luck in our separate struggles?

Does the conception of "radical philosophy" travel intact across borders, or does it have a distinctive meaning in the US? What sort of meaning, for example, does radical philosophy now have as a practice in Eastern Europe? Or China? Or the former Soviet Union? Or Cuba? When Marxist philosophy has been the establishment philosophy of state socialism, what has that meant for the concept of radical philosophy in that context?

Does radical philosophy have to be inclusive (i.e. address all forms of social domination, such as racism, class exploitation, male dominance, heterosexism, able-ism, etc.), or can someone be a radical philosopher if they critique only one kind of social domination? Must radical philosophy support identity politics or must it insist on a solidarity politics beyond identity?

As radical philosophers, we face with particular urgency the barrier between the theoretical work of philosophers and the practice of activists. How can we expand and continue our efforts--in classrooms, but also in the press, in politics, in popular cultureto create spaces for our engaged critical perspectives? We must, for example, address the lack of interest in theory exhibited by the press and politics--vital agencies for communicating with large numbers of people. As radicals we must take up the task of developing counter-hegemonies. How are we doing so? How might we do so?

What does radical philosophy mean to those of you who are students? What does it mean to persons trying to find a job?

In keeping with the spirit of radical thinking embodied by the RPA, we encourage submissions that employ formats and media that challenge the standard conference presentation. For instance, we urge presenters to use formats that allow for greater interaction between participants and audience (e.g. presenting an outline, rather than reading a paper), and that emphasize collective inquiry (e.g. organizing a workshop).

Please note that participants will be selected for at most one presentation (talk, workshop, poster session, etc.) during the conference; submissions should be presented with this in mind. (This limit does not include chairing sessions.)

Please send paper, workshop, poster, and other proposals to RPA PROGRAM COMMITTEE, c/o Lisa Heldke, Department of Philosophy, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN 56082. You may also submit them as an email attachment: send to heldke@gac.edu. NOTE: Please do NOT submit complete papers.

If you would be willing to serve as a session chair, please indicate this on your submission form. Session chairs are responsible for timing presentations, and ensuring that each presenter gets her or his fair share of the available time.

All submissions must be postmarked by January 31, 2002.

Information about local arrangements will follow.

Please submit all and only the following information:

Note: Due to the length of sessions, we will only consider panels of NO MORE THAN three persons. Please submit all and only the following information:

 PLEASE NOTE: Panels MUST be limited to three or fewer participants. We will not consider larger panels.

Presenter #2

Presenter #3 

PLEASE NOTE: Groups MUST be limited to three or fewer participants. We will not consider larger groups.

Workshop Participant #2

Workshop Participant #3

We encourage creative proposals that don't fall under any of the standard conference categories. Please provide us with the relevant information, as befits your particular proposal.

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This page last modified on 3.18.01 URL: http://www.uvm.edu/~radphil/rpa2002call.htm Site work: Will Miller wmiller@zoo.uvm.edu and http://www.uvm.edu/~wmiller/

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