Interesting Conference Call for Papers

Call for Papers: Forthcoming conference on the Global Status of Women and Girls

Christopher Newport University, College of Arts and Humanities, seeks papers for the forthcoming conference on the Global Status of Women and Girls to be held at CNU, March 3-5, 2016

This interdisciplinary conference seeks to foster inquiries into the complex and multifocal issues faced by women and girls around the world, both historically and today. We invite scholars from all academic disciplines to submit proposals addressing the political, social, economic, psychological, developmental, educational, literary, artistic, philosophical, religious, ethical and health issues of women and girls.

The conference seeks not only to clarify key questions that must be asked in this vital area of public policy but also to unearth the forces that created these current dilemmas. Through the interdisciplinary study of past and present, the conference will engage researchers in policy
conversations benefiting the global community.

Submissions from any academic discipline – including but not limited to history, philosophy, religious studies, sociology, psychology, chemistry, environmental science, medicine, biomedical ethics, economics, political science, gender studies, communication studies and
literature – are welcome. We invite professionals in both academic and nonacademic settings to submit proposals. Topics to be covered may include, but are not limited to:

·         The feminization of poverty
·         Wage inequality
·         Women in the workplace
·         Child marriage
·         War and women
·         Human trafficking
·         Environmental change and the economic status of women
·         Religion and the status of women
·         Girls and education
·         Sexual assault/rape
·         Disability and accessibility
·         Relational aggression between girls and women
·         Mental health and women
·         Artistic, mediated and literary representations/performances
·         Social media and social change for women and girls
·         Gender identity and socialization
·         Social policy and the state of women and girls
·         Environmental health risks to women
·         Effects of global climate change on women

Please submit a 350 to 500-word abstract on this topic by November 1 at globalstatusofwomen-conf.org. All submissions will be peer reviewed, and those accepted will be notified no later than January 1, 2016. Finished papers will ideally be 15-20 minutes in length.

Please contact Lori Underwood, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, at ahconf@cnu.edu with any questions about the conference.

What students are saying: Three weeks of studying Global Women

I just wrapped up teaching Global Women over a three-week period in the summer for the third time. I really like how daily three-hour meetings allow for immersion in the course. Here are some of my favorite student comments:

Student A: "In this class, I not only learned factual data, but also grew emotionally connected to issues, and learned more about myself. To me, that is the definition of a good class. It forced me to think critically about situations, put myself in others' shoes, and sometimes even articulate what I think."

Student B: "At the beginning of this class, I honestly did not realize what I got myself into. I did not realize how indepth we would really get. Every day has been completely amazing. Everything I have learned has been extraordinary and a lot of it is unbelievable. I can say that this class has changed my view on the world, the women in it, and the way I will live my life."

Three-week Global Women course

Same as last summer, I am currently teaching a three-week Global Women course. We meet for three hours daily, four days a week. I actually really like this schedule, as it allows for immersion in the topic. We are focusing on Afghanistan this year and reading A Thousand Splendid Suns.