Social Thought Program

CALL FOR PAPERS
The Penn State Social Thought Program
Will Present a Conference:
What Do States and Citizens Owe Each Other?
April 9-10, 2010

Penn State, University Park Campus

In order to function, societies require that their members adhere to some form of a social contract, however membership is defined. The debate continues over the nature of the various legal, moral, social, and ethical obligations which ought to make up that contract, and is complicated by questions regarding the inclusion of non-citizens and the role of non-state entities such as local associations and international organizations. As the consequences of globalization continue to be revealed and worldwide power dynamics shift in remarkable ways, these questions are as salient as ever.
The purpose of this conference is to challenge participants to think broadly and creatively about the effects of this contract and how conceptions of it have changed over the years or ought to change in the future. We invite submissions of papers exploring any aspect of this theme. Possible topics might include, but are not limited to: the immigrant experience, refugee rights, security, natural resources, education, borders, labor, and technology.
Graduate students and faculty from all departments are invited to participate.

Submission Guidelines:
Please submit an abstract of 500-700 words as an email attachment (attach as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file) to Richard Simon at rms386@psu.edu. Submissions are due February 1, 2010. Notification of acceptance will be made by February 15.