Confucian Traditions Unit
We welcome full panel proposals, as well as individual paper submissions, on any theme related to the Confucian traditions. The steering committee has identified the following themes as possible topics for 2024:
- Law and Confucianism, particularly as it relates to the Han and recently excavated material.
- Topics that resonate with the 2024 AAR presidential theme of “violence, non-violence, and the margins.”
- Confucian contemplative practices and methods of self-cultivation.
- Fellowship and community formation, particularly as it relates to living in the diaspora.
- Thinking about gender and Confucianism from religious studies perspectives (in comparison with philosophical approaches).
Other topics are also welcome, as are co-sponsored sessions with other Units.
To submit a proposal, membership in the American Academy of Religion is not required. However, once a proposal is accepted, presenters must register for the AAR Annual Meeting, which will be held in San Diego from November 23 to 26, 2024.
The Unit is the only global scholarly organization in the English-speaking world dedicated exclusively to Confucianism. It studies the diverse traditions linked to Confucius, his precursors, and followers, collectively referred to as "Ru." This includes exploring intersections between Confucian thought and practices with other traditions. Embracing a variety of approaches — philosophical, historical, literary, sociological and comparative — the Unit operates beyond the confines of any single country or academic discipline.
| Chair | Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bin Song, Washington College | bsong2@washcoll.edu | - | View |
| Michael Ing | ming@indiana.edu | - | View |