Society for Women in Philosophy. For information on SWIP membership, which includes receiving program announcements, the national SWIP newsletter, and a discount subscription to Hypatia contact the SWIP chapter in your area:
Eastern SWIP: Linda Damico, Department of Philosophy, Kennesaw State College, Marietta, GA 30061.
Midwest SWIP: Carol Mickett, English & Philosophy Department, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO 64093.
Midwest SWIP's Spring, 1994 meeting will be held at the University of Minnesota, April 8-10, 1994- Contact Jackie Zita, Women's Studies Department, University of Minnesota for information.
New York City SWIP: Nanette Funk, Department of Philosophy, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11210.
NYC SWIP will meet on March 4 for a membership meeting where research project groups will be organized and there will be a speak-out on gender discrimination and sexual harassment of women in philosophy. At the April 8 meeting Sara Burns, Professor of Law at NYU Law School will speak; the commentator is Michelle Paludi, Editor, Ivory Power, Sexual Harassment on Campus. On May 6, María Lugones will be the speaker. All meetings are at 4: 00 p.m. at the CUNY Graduate Center, 33 W. 42nd Street, New York City. For information on the meeting room call the Women's Studies Center at the Graduate Center, (212) 642-2247.
Pacific SWIP: Dianne Romain, Department of Philosophy, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928.
New SWIP Chapter. The New York City area chapter of SWIP (see above) was reactivated in Fall, 1993. They announced the reestablishment of the chapter with the following resolution:
We feminist philosophers of the New York City region resolve to found a new chapter of the Society for Women in Philosophy. We intend to establish and reestablish connections among women in the New York City area who identify themselves a philosophers and who are involved in studying, writing, and teaching philosophy. We intend to formulate and address issues specific to women in the male-dominated field of academic philosophy, and to function as an advocate group for women in identifying problems, seeking remedies, and facilitating resolutions. In addition, we will serve as a forum for women scholars working on philosophy-related research and teaching, to discuss ideas, to read and comment on papers, and to exchange pedagogical materials and methods both during regular meeting times and at specially organized conferences.
The Society's intellectual focus will embrace traditional philosophical and metaphilosophical topics; feminist theory; the history of women philosophers; the relation of feminist theories to gay and lesbian theories; and the relation of theories of women of color to philosophy, both traditional and feminist. As an advocacy and support group, we will sustain one another morally and politically, intellectually and professionally. We hope to assist younger women as well as each other in the search for professional identity and, when possible and appropriate, in employment and opportunities for publication. We hope to afford the occasion to discuss personal and professional problems related to our status as women scholars and teachers. In general, we aim to aid each other in the formulation of a common understanding of sexism as well as apprise ourselves of the best remedies against it.
The following is a sampling of issues that would be of concern: (1) How we can become more effective as feminists in and through our professional associations. (2) How we might alter the traditional boundaries of philosophy to meet the concerns of women. (3) How we can promote affirmative action. (4) How we can address the perpetually hidden, but increasingly urgent issue of competition among women in the profession. (5) How we can encourage diversity in the profession, and especially bring women of diverse backgrounds into the profession. (6) How those of us who have achieved professional standing can help graduate students.
We stress diversity and tolerance in philosophical outlook and we welcome women of all ages, races, sexual orientations, and class backgrounds who share the above interests.
Call for Nominations for General Editor of Hypatia. The Associate Editors of Hypatia are seeking nominations for the next general editor of the journal. The new editor will serve for a term of five years beginning July 1,1995. Candidates should have: a record of publication in feminist philosophy; an academic affiliation at an institution that is willing and able to provide at least minimal support for the journal; some experience in editing, and administration or business; and an ability to work with the various philosophical orientations represented by contemporary feminist philosophy. Nominations for a joint editorship will be considered. Self-nominations are encouraged. In nominating oneself, enclose a curriculum vitae; in nominating another, include the nominee's complete address and telephone number and your reasons for the nomination. Qualified nominees will receive guidelines for developing a full proposal. Proposals will be evaluated and ranked by the Hypatia Executive Board (the Associate Editors) with assistance from officers of the various divisions of the Society for Women in Philosophy. Final selection will be made by the Executive Board in consultation with Indiana University Press. Nominations should be sent to Hypatia, University of South Florida, SOC 107, Tampa, FL 33620. Deadline for receipt of nominations is June 1,1994. Contact the editorial office for additional information at (813) 974-5531.
Call for Papers in Feminist Jurisprudence. The Spring, 1995 APA Newsletter on Philosophy and Law and the APA Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy will be a joint effort on the subject of feminist jurisprudence which, like feminist philosophy of science, challenges us to reflect upon the theoretical foundations of our discipline. Feminist legal philosophy begins with an examination of how the law regulates women, their work, their reproductive functions, their social and sexual activity, their economic independence. Drawn to such controversial topics as discrimination, sexual harassment, reproductive rights and pornography, we are forced to explore more deeply such issues as the nature and justification of law, judicial reasoning, the meaning of equality, justice and the practice of law. We welcome the analysis of case histories in the broad context of jurisprudential discussion. We are looking for essays of no longer than ten pages that clarify issues, make new connections, review literature, or provide curricular suggestions on the subject of feminist jurisprudence. Essays should be submitted in triplicate with the author's name on the title page only. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 1994- Send manuscripts to Hilde Hein, Department of Philosophy, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA 01610 or to Rex Martin, 6810 W 66th Terrace, Overland Park, KS 66202.
Call for Papers: Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society seeks submissions for a special issue on feminist theory and practice, tentatively slated for publication in summer 1996.
In this, the last special issue that will originate at the University of Minnesota, we will return to our initial editorial promise (Signs 16, no. 3 [Spring 1991]) to make close connections between feminist theory and feminist practice outside as well as inside of the academy. Given that the roots and inspiration for contemporary feminist scholarship emerged in the 1960s and 1970s from the political movements of women organizing on behalf of women's issues—in the home, in the state, in colleges and universities, in our social and religious communities—, feminists were determined from the outset to have our scholarship bring women into academic discourse. Within this context, we tried to join theory and practice. We learned about the organization and operation of institutionalized sexism (as we had learned about institutionalized racism) in the course of our daily lives as academics who were trying to create a new kind of scholarship, one that put gender at the center of analysis, that was concerned with issues of social equality and social justice, and that recognized and engaged with the politics of scholarship, through this effort, a new kind of knowledge was born: women's studies, feminist scholarship, gender studies. Combined with other streams and intellectual developments of the time (postmodernism, deconstructionism, psychoanalysis, marxism/socialism, and cultural materialism, among others), a new kind of intellectual vitality was created. But not all feminists of the “second wave” were academics. Many were struggling to pursue goals and to establish practices that were also guided by feminist principles and feminist intent, but within surroundings quite different from the academy. In hospitals and schools, in battered women's shelters and abortion clinics, in factories and trade unions, women were constructing practices that were guided by feminist consciousness and feminist goals. And it is these practices, outside the academy just as importantly as inside it, that have constructed our theories. It is this connection of theory and practice that is the subject for this special issue. The special issue editors will include the editors of Signs, University of Minnesota professors Ruth-Ellen Joeres, Department of German, and Barbara Laslett, Department of Sociology, and others to be announced in the Summer 1993 issue of Signs.
Please submit articles (in triplicate) no later than September 1, 1994, to Signs, 495 Ford Hall, 224 Church Street S.E., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Please observe guidelines in the “Notice to Contributors” printed in any issue of the journal published since Autumn 1992. For further information aboqt this special issue, contact Joeres or Laslett at Signs, telephone 612-625-1813.
Call for Papers/Invitation to Participate in the 6th Conference of North American and Cuban Philosophers and Social Scientists, Havana, Cuba, June 10-24, 1994.
North American philosophers, social scientists, and social change activists are invited to participate along with Cuban counterparts in this annual event in Havana, Cuba. Last year 75 North Americans joined with 140 Cubans for a week of discussions, followed by another week of visits to various organizations and sites of interest. The 6th conference will take place at the University of Havana from June 13-17.
Call for papers: Commissions are being organized on the following thematic areas: Global economy and global capitalism; models of socialism; construction of socialism/problems of socialism; democracy and social justice; epistemology and methodology; ethics and society; education and society; science, technology and ecology; identity and culture; CLASS, RACE, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY; social policy; analysis of capitalism; economic/political economic theory; behavioral psychology; and revolutionary thinkers. We are looking for papers and commission organizers in these and other areas.
Papers should be no more than 8 pages long so as to maximize discussion time at the conference. Papers due March 1, 1994- As opportunities for oral presentation are limited, priority consideration will be given to early applicants.
Cost: Approximately $900 for a basic 14 day stay in Havana at University accommodations, all group activities included from Miami departure to Miami return. Some scholarship assistance may be available for those with limited means.
Options: At some additional cost other pre- and post-conference options involving travel to other parts of Cuba are available.
For complete information and to request application materials write Cliff DuRand, 1443 Gorsuch Ave., Baltimore, MD 21218. (410)243-3118. Fax: 410-235-5325 e-mail durand@morganvx.bitnet
Call for Papers. The journal Metaphilosophy invites original articles for a special issue on Feminism and Philosophy. The issue, entitled “Feminist Re-visionings of Philosophy: Contributions and Controversy” will be guest edited by Kathleen Wallace and Marjorie C. Miller under the general editorship of Armen T. Marsoobian. This issue will address feminist contributions to both the methods of philosophy and the formulation of key philosophic concepts. We are particularly interested in publishing articles which address current controversies within feminism concerning concepts such as experience, identity, nature, evidence, argument, and community. While the range of appropriate topics is broad, we would be most interested in articles which distinguish feminist contributions from those which have been made by other twentieth-century and contemporary movements such as pragmatism and post-modernism. The editorial focus of this special issue will be to present the ways feminism has changed (and continues to change) the practice of philosophy. Deadline for submission: June 1, 1994. The Journal follows the MLA style for citations. Papers should not exceed 25 pages in length and should be prepared for blind review (detachable cover page with author and title, first text page with title of article and abstract only. References to self-authored publications should be modified accordingly.) Submit original and two copies to: Feminism and Philosophy Special Issue, Metaphilosophy, Department of Philosophy, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515 USA.
Call for Papers - Rereading the Canon: Feminist Interpretations of Wittgenstein. I am seeking papers on Wittgenstein for a volume in a Penn State Press series edited by Nancy Tuana. I am interested not only in critical discussions of Wittgenstein's work, from a diverse range of feminist and allied liberatory perspectives, but also in essays that take up questions about Wittgenstein's place in academic philosophy, including his influence on the search for a voice or an appropriate method or style or way of thinking about philosophy—especially for those who find themselves on the margins. I welcome papers from a range of philosophical as well as interdisciplinary approaches and in a range of styles, from traditionally scholarly to personal. Deadline for manuscripts is August 31, 1994. Send inquiries, proposals, papers, and suggestions to: Naomi Scheman, Department of Philosophy, 355 Ford Hall, University of Minnesota, 224 Church St. S. E., Minneapolis, MN 55455. (From mid-August 1993 to mid-May 1994: The Society for the Humanities, A.D. White House, Cornell University, 27 East Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14853-1101).
Call for Papers on Foucault written from a feminist perspective for a volume, Rereading the Canon: Feminist Interpretations of Foucault, to be published in the Penn State Press series, Rereading the Canon, edited by Nancy Tuana. The volume will reflect the broad range of feminist approaches to Foucault's work. Papers that address the following questions would be especially welcome: Why has Foucault's work generated so much controversy among feminists? Is a Foucauldian feminism possible, or impossible? Is Foucault's theory of the subject compatible with feminism? Does Foucault's methodology preclude a feminist politics? Deadline for manuscript submission is August 31,1994- Send inquiries, proposals, or papers to: Susan Hekman, Department of Political Science, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019-0539.
7th Symposium of the International Association of Women Philosophers. The IAPh is holding its next Symposium on September 21-24, 1995 at the University of Vienna, Austria. The overall theme for the conference is: War, marking the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The conference description reads as follows:
War is a phenomenon that has presented a challenge to philosophy since its beginnings. While war is generally thought of as a male domain, women are, nonetheless, not free from responsibility in the political decision-making process. Their theoretical engagement raises basic questions concerning the roots of war in various forms of society, concerning their antagonism toward it, as well as concerning the meaning of the various cultural forms it assumes.
That women are victims of war but also accomplices and participants, and that, again and again, they form centers of resistance to it are motives for addressing the theme from a feminist perspective.
The conflicts now flaring up throughout the world provide the immediate impetus to create a space for such theorizing by women philosophers.
The program has been divided into the following three sections in order to encourage the treatment of the subject from a variety of divergent philosophical starting points:
1 Politics / Law / Morality
2 Symbolism/ power(lessness)—sense (lessness) / History of Philosophy
3 Aesthetics/Myth/Media
Workshops: Workshops are planned in addition to paper presentations.
Concurrent Events: There will be conferences taking place in Vienna on the
visual arts and new media concurrent with the IAPh Symposium.
Conference Locale: The geographical location of Vienna as the site of the
conference lends itself to international and intercultural dialogue (East-West, North-South, Islam, etc.) The organizers will endeavor to offer financial
assistance if necessary. Our conference office will be happy to provide further
information (see address below).
Sponsoring Organization: International Association of Women Philosophers.
IAPh, founded in 1974, promotes professional collaboration and international
communication among women philosophers.
Local Organization and Arrangements: The Women Philosophers' Club of
Vienna. Founded in 1989, the club offers a forum in which women philosophers
both inside and outside of the university can participate in philosophical and organizational activities.
Co-sponsoring organizations: Institute for Science and Art. Founded in 1946, this institute fosters international research and educational work in the fields
of the sciences and adult education.
Submission of papers: To propose a paper please send a one-page abstract
designated for one of the three sections, and a brief professional biographical
sketch no later than September 30, 1994-
Conference Address: Institute for Science and Art, “IAPh Symposium,”
Berggasse 17, A-1090 Vienna Austria. Tel./Fax: (+43-1-) 34 43 42.
Official Languages: German and English. In special cases papers in other
languages may be considered if an English or German translation is provided.
Registration Fee: None. Conference folders. will be available for a donation to
cover the cost of preparation.
Publication: The subsequent publication of selected papers from the conference
is anticipated.
To join the IAPh: Send annual dues (DM 35,- for faculty; DM 15,- for students
and unemployed philosophers) to Ulrike Ramming, Buechnerstr. 24, 12047
Berlin, Germany.
SWIP-L, an electronic mail list for feminist philosophers. The SWIP-L is an e-mail information and discussion list for members of the Society for Women in Philosophy and others who are interested in feminist philosophy. To subscribe to this list send the following one-line message: SUBSCRIBE SWIP-L to LISTSERV@CFRVM or to LISTSERV@CFRVM.CFR.USF.EDU. When you want to post messages on the list send them to SWIP-L@CFRVM or to SWIP-L@CFRVM.CFR.USF.EDU. The purpose of the list is to provide a place to share information about SWIP and other feminist philosophy meetings, calls for papers, jobs for feminist philosophers, etc., as well as to engage in more substantive discussions related to feminist philosophy.
