CALL FOR PAPERS
Symposium on American Freemasonry and Fraternalism
Scottish
Rite Masonic Museum & Library, Lexington , Massachusetts
Perspectives on American Freemasonry and Fraternalism
Friday, April 11, 2014
The
Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library in Lexington , Massachusetts , will be
holding its third conference, Perspectives on American Freemasonry and
Fraternalism, on April 11, 2014,
at the museum. We are now seeking paper proposals for the conference.
The
Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library is an American history museum founded and
supported by Scottish Rite Freemasons in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of
the United States . As the repository of one of the largest collections of
American Masonic and fraternal objects, books and manuscripts in the United
States , the Museum aims to foster new research on American fraternalism and to
encourage the use of its scholarly resources.
The
symposium seeks to present the newest research on American fraternal groups from
the past through the present day. By 1900, over 250 American fraternal groups
existed, numbering six million members. The study of their activities and
influence in the United States , past and present, offers the potential for new
interpretations of American society and culture. Diverse perspectives on this
topic are sought; proposals are invited from a broad range of research areas,
including history, material and visual culture, anthropology, sociology,
literary studies and criticism, gender studies, political science, African
American studies, art history, economics, or any combination of disciplines.
Perspectives on and interpretations of all time periods are welcome.
Possible topics
include:
*
Comparative studies of American fraternalism and European or other international
forms of fraternalism
* Prince
Hall Freemasonry and other African-American fraternal groups
* Ethnically- and
religiously-based fraternal groups
* Fraternal groups
for women or teens
* Role of fraternal
groups in social movements
* The material
culture of Freemasonry and fraternalism
* Anti-Masonry and
anti-fraternal movements, issues and groups
* Fraternal
symbolism and ritual
* The expression of
Freemasonry and fraternalism through art, music, and literature
*
Approaches to Freemasonry - from disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or
transnational perspectives; the historiography and methodology of the study of
American fraternalism
Proposals
should be for 30 minute research papers; the day's schedule will allow for
audience questions and feedback.
Proposal
Format: Submit an abstract of 400 words or less with a resume or c.v. that is no
more than two pages. Be sure to include full contact information (name, address,
email, phone, affiliation).Send
proposals to: Aimee E. Newell, Ph.D., Director of Collections, Scottish Rite
Masonic Museum & Library, by email atanewell@monh.org
or by mail to 33 Marrett Road , Lexington , MA 02421 .Deadline
for proposals to be received is
September 3, 2013. For more information, see
www.nationalheritagemuseum.org. For questions, contact Aimee E. Newell as
above, or call 781-457-4144.
