Seminar topic: The term “humanism” has a vexed history, yet one that will not die. Many scholars speak in “post-human” terms, rejecting any concept of humanism on the grounds that the term masks negative agendas and repressive ideas. Yet many others find that they need to hold on to some, perhaps vitiated, concept of humanism, often for political reasons. For example, Edward Said, shortly before he died, wrote a book about humanism. Will any humanism be possible in the future? From this central question a range of questions could emerge. Humanism has been associated with technological and historical progress. Will it continue to be viewed this way? Is humanism possible in the future without progress? Will future humanism(s) hold on to some of the precepts of the humanist tradition, or will it take a different turn entirely, or will it exist at all? Will future humanism(s) be anchored in a tension between religion and secular culture, or is there a way to destabilize such binaries? How do we understand a synthetic approach to diverse cultures after postcolonial critiques to approach a form of global humanism? What are the effects of diasporic phenomena on humanism? Papers are welcome from a variety of critical approaches: Philosophy, Social Theory, Literary Studies, Psychology, Interdisciplinary Studies.

Participants in the seminar submit a one page abstract and a one page c.v. as an attachment via email to garciaant@uhd.edu. A reply to the email will serve as confirmation of receipt. Response regarding acceptance will be sent just after ACLA deadline for full panel submission.

Also submit proposals via the ACLA Conference website online paper proposal form, selecting Will Any Humanism Be Possible?

Panelists should plan on attending all three days of the stream. Three day streams are typically scheduled Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. Papers run 15-20 minutes each.

Antonio A. Garcia
Department of English
University of Houston, Downtown
One Main Street
Houston, Texas 77002