Call For Papers

Catholic Social Thought Topic Session

Theme: Catholic Social Thought and Conversion

The Catholic Social Thought Topic Session invites paper proposals on the convention’s theme of “conversion.” Conversion involves one’s response to God’s invitation to a change of heart and a reorientation of one’s life—with “one’s” usually referring to an individual’s personal conversion. However, it could also refer to a community, an institution, a church, or other social structures. If, for example, sinful social structures (i.e., social sin) are possible, then how about graceful social structures (i.e., social conversion)? Or, what about the possible external reform movements and activism that flow from interior conversions in the hearts and minds of the faithful? How could conversion figure in efforts to reform the U.S. prison system, to reduce domestic violence, or to deal with corruption in politics? Proposals exploring such questions or other possible ways in which conversion (or change, or transformation) factors into Catholic social thought (or vice versa) are welcome.

Proposals should be 200-500 words in length. They should give the name and institution of all participants (moderator, presenter, panelist, etc.) and provide the proposer’s contact information. Also include a 100 word précis that will be used in the online program to be posted on the CTSA website. Deadline for submissions is September 1, 2012. Notification about the status of proposals will be made by September 21. Submit proposals to Tobias Winright, twinrigh@slu.edu.