South Dakota State to host 'Many Faces of War'

Organizers at South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D. have issued a call for papers related to an interdisciplinary symposium on the experience and impact of war throughout history. Date of the event, titled "The Many Faces of War," is Sept 19. 2018.

Deadline for proposals is Aug. 31, 2018. Individual presentations, as well as panel-style discussions comprising 2 to 3 presenters, will be considered. Emerging and established researchers are equally encouraged to submit.

There is no specification of era—whether ancient, medieval, or modern—or geography. The call for papers states:

The study of warfare is often restricted to the sphere of military history and rarely allowed to transcend the artificial boundaries of historical study, namely those limited by geography and periodization. Throughout the ages war has had the greatest impact, not on the political elite who declare wars, but on those who fight and die and their families and friends. This conference aims to address both the experience and impact of war for those fighting as well as for those on the periphery of combat.

Suggested topics include:

• Women in war; the social stigma of retreat or cowardice; war and agriculture
• The impact of scorched earth policy on populations
• The depopulation of villages
• War’s effect on birth or marriage rates of the loss of male citizens
• Prisoners of war
• Camp-followers and non-military personnel
• Displacement of populations
• Arms production
• Social security systems for war widows and orphans
• The effect of training on a soldier’s mindset and actions (before, during and after combat)
• The social position of soldiers
• Peacetime relations between soldiers and civilians
• Wartime relations between civilians and occupying armies

Proposals/abstracts should be no longer than 250 words. Submit to Graham Wrightson via e-mail: graham.wrightson AT sdstate DOT edu

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