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 2025:
- Tu Wei-ming and third-wave (Worldwide) Confucianism. Contact: Young Chan Ro (George Mason University yro@gmu.edu).
- Defining Confucianism: A Roundtable Discussion, to investigate the meaning of "Confucianism" or "Ruism" in its varying meanings, histories, and social contexts. Contact: Stephanie Balkwill (UCLA balkwill@humnet.ucla.edu).
- Utopianism: Early Chinese and Modern Expressions, including global Tianxia and political thought. Contact: Liang Cai (University of Notre Dame lcai@nd.edu).
- Confucian Feminism, Gender, and Sexuality, examining women's contributions to Confucianism. Liang Cai (University of Notre Dame lcai@nd.edu).
- Confucian Archaeology, to investigate unearthed materials including texts and archaeological rituals. Li Lan (McMaster University lil148@mcmaster.ca).
- Confucian Contemplative Practices, in light of the forthcoming special issue of Confucian Contemplations in the Journal of Contemplative Studies. Contact: Bin Song (Washington College bsong2@washcoll.edu); Judson Murray (Capital University jmurray88@capital.edu )
- Ideas related to the 2025 presidential theme of "Freedom" at AAR.
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 Boston from November 22-25, 2025.
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 |