Temple symposium: Future of Knowledge in the Humanities

The Center for Humanities at Temple

THE FUTURE OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE HUMANITIES
Wednesday, April 17
Gladfelter Hall, 10th Floor
Temple University
1:00-5:00

The 2013 CHAT conference asks about the future of knowledge in the humanities. In the twentieth-century American university, the collective fields of the humanities produced, transmitted, and challenged certain kinds of knowledge that set them apart from the knowledge produced in the sciences or fine arts. At the start of the twenty-first century, the humanities are under attack. Confronting severe economic pressures, universities must decide whether to renew or revise their commitment to liberal education. Invited speakers will address this core issue—some call it a“crisis.” Our focus is how knowledge has been, is, and might be sponsored, produced, taught, and valued in higher education. Guiding questions include: What has been the relationship between the “humanities” and the kind of knowledge protected and produced in higher education? What is the relationship between our pedagogical and political commitments? How have we in the past connected the public purpose of higher education to the knowledge taught and produced there? And how might we pursue it in the future? Our speakers are encouraged to provide historical and practical perspectives which these and other questions demand.

SCHEDULE:

1:00-1:10 Opening remarks

1:10-2:30: Presentations:

Paul Stoller, Department of Anthropology and Sociology, West Chester University of Pennsylvania:
Timothy J. Burke, Department of History, Swarthmore College
Steve Newman, Department of English, Temple University
Anthony E. Wagner, Executive Vice President, CFO and Treasurer, Temple University

2:30-3:00 Coffee break

3:00-4:30 Roundtable discussion

4:30-5:00 Reception