The Virginia Humanities Conference invites proposals for papers and panel sessions that address the theme "Children and Childhood in the Humanities." (Humanities disciplines include philosophy, religion, art, art history, cultural studies, communication, history, literature, music, and the performing arts.)

Our concepts about childhood are central to our understanding of what it means to be human. Philosophers, religious leaders, creative artists - all have constructed arguments about the nature of children and childhood. Children have been regarded as miniature adults, sinful creatures, innocent minds, and creative beings. Childhood is here broadly defined but could include any stage from infancy to second childhood and even the inner child.

We want to encourage interdisciplinary exchange on this topic from a variety of fields. Contributions from the social sciences are welcome if they are focused on aspects of the humanities (e.g., a sociological reading of a novel or work of art).