A Call For Contributions to:
An
Interdisciplinary Resource Guide for Comparative Crosscultural Studies
in History,
Literature, Culture, Religion, Philosophy, Ethics and Politics
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Regardless of the
specific historical, ethnonational, cultural-civilizational,
religious and/or geographical domain, the whole discipline of comparative
crosscultural study is laden with complex challenges and, quite
understandly therefore, disagreement. Comparative linguistics
often factors quite heavily into these kinds of comparative studies as well,
especially in trying to establish alleged historical links. Opinions
abound, with some emphasizing difference and some similarity in arguing
their respective cases, which often turn out to be tied to certain
predetermined religious, philosophical and/or ideological convictions, whether
pro or con, which they are attempting to prove or disprove. Or,
likewise, they are attempting to 'prove' (or disprove) the
superiority of a certain religious-cultural, philosophical and/or
ideological tradition, 'demonstrating' that it is (or can be) the 'mother'
so to speak of other traditions by virtue of religious-cultural influence which
is responsible for the alleged rise of certain practices in other
traditions. These, of course, are not the only aims and purposes. There
are many good and very worthy ones as well. But establishing genuine
historical links proves highly problematic, especially when no
documentation can be provided of clear historical contacts and/or exchange
taking place between the people. And even then, the question of whose practice
and/or belief was really first still involves a good many assumptions.
Archeology may help enlighten us somewhat, but even then the assumption that
common material culture resulted from direct contacts-exchange as opposed to
having been carried a great distance by one or even multiple other 'middlemen'
across, for example, the expanse of the Silk Road provides no real certainty.
In spite of these challenges, comparative
crosscultural studies retain great value and, indeed, are indispensible to the
task of almost any and all scholarship, lest human society and history
be divided into multiple unrelated factions and left largely cut off
and isolated in Spenglerian-like fashion. With that in view, ARA is currently
preparing a work entitled, "An Interdisciplinary Resource Guide for Comparative
Crosscultural Studies in History, Literature, Culture, Religion, Philosophy,
Ethics and Politics" (to be published via Asia Research Associates or
another suggested publisher). A 40-page bibliography has already been prepared
with representative works from all the disciplines, including full
abstacts (for articles or chapters) or publisher reviews (in the case
of books). The bibliography will serve as a central part of the publication,
providing the core material with which the collection of essays/articles treating
each discipline as well as the overall task will interact. With this in view, we
are asking for contributions in the following three areas:
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Any suggestions of
articles, chapters or books of genuine 'comparative crosscultural'
nature would be deeply appreciated. (Please provide the official journal
abstract or the publisher's book review or backcover description if possible; an
abstract or brief review statement from an individual qualified scholar or
journal would also be acceptable. Proper credit will be given for all
contributions.)
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Scholars (with PhD or
equivalent degree) within the respected disciplines (mentioned within the publication
title) who are interested in contributing an essay or article offering *fair
and balanced treatment* of the history and/or task of comparative study
within their own field of study, or perhaps the interrelated and
interdisciplinary task of comparative crosscultural studies as a whole, are
requested to submit a 300-500 word abstract of their proposal along with a brief
biographical sketch, including credentials and affiliation(s), to the email
address below.
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Any scholars who feel they
might like to work as co-editor of the overall volume are kindly requested to
submit a 300-500 word summary of their interest(s) and qualifications,
including a brief list of any pertinent publications in the field(s) of
comparative crosscultural studies.
Sincere thanks for your
interest in and support of this work,
R. Charles Weller
PhD, Kazakh National
University
Founder, Asia Research
Associates,
Central Asian
Historical-Cultural Research Center
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"Rethinking Kazakh & Central
Asian Nationhood" Homepage
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