2008 Conference of the Kenneth Burke Society

The Seventh Triennial Conference of the Kenneth Burke Society welcomes proposals for papers and panels on any Burkean subject. Especially welcome are proposals that address the conference theme: “Kenneth Burke: Transcendence by Perspective.” The conference will take place from June 29-July 1, 2008, at Villanova University, just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Deadline for submissions is February 1, 2008. View the conference flyer.

About the Conference Theme

One of the hallmarks of Kenneth Burke’s work is a deep-rooted suspicion of entrenched antagonism, of the bitterly contested either/or. Confronting a Western tradition mired in dualisms, and a social world fractured along binaristic lines, Burke traced these all-too-common symptoms to their source in the human symbolic condition and, not content simply with this diagnosis, he also sought a cure: the disciplined cultivation of transcendence via “ultimate” terms (A Rhetoric of Motives 186-89). As Burke writes in Attitudes Toward History, “When approached from a certain point of view, A and B are ‘opposites.’ We mean by ‘transcendence’ the adoption of another point of view from which they cease to be opposites” (336). Although inspired in part by his reading of Plato, Burke’s vision of transcendence avoids the pitfalls of the transcendental, but instead is grounded solidly in the necessity of our embodied symbolicity. In Burke’s skilled hands, transcendence becomes not the elimination of perspective, of partisanship, but the embrace of transcendence by perspective—because only by rigorously acknowledging the symbolic nature of perspective can we move beyond the stagnant stalemate of reified social, political, and philosophical binaries.

This theme calls on conference participants to explore the relevance of Burkean thought for the transcendence of conflicts, whether enduring (as in the American “racial divide”) or ephemeral (as in the humanitarian crises of today). Over the course of the convention, a combination of keynote speakers, featured presenters, and seminar leaders will engage in their various incarnations the pressures of symbolicity, the multiple dimensions of perspective, and the possibilities of transcendence.

Featuring diverse opportunities for engagement with Burke’s enduring relevance, the seventh triennial expects to continue the interdisciplinary tradition of past triennials, with participation by scholars from communication, rhetoric, literary theory, sociology, American studies, critical/cultural studies, and theology (among other fields).Most triennials have produced books of conference proceedings and all have promoted work by their participants leading to important articles and books on Burkean subjects.

About the Conference

A number of prominent Burke scholars will participate in the conference as speakers and seminar leaders. Detailed information about their work is available at the conference website. The keynoters will be Joseph R. Gusfield and John S. Wright. Featured speakers will include A. Cheree Carlson, Michael Hyde, and Robert Perinbanayagam. Seminar leaders with their topics include Ann George (Burke in the 1930s), Scott Newstok (Burke and Shakespeare), Mari Boor Tonn (Burke and Feminism), and Robert Wess (Transcendence by Perspective).

Visit the conference website (http://communication.villanova.edu/burke/index.htm) for information about nominations for Kenneth Burke Society awards for Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Service, and Emerging Scholar.

It's expected that this conference, like previous ones, will feature an enjoyable evening with the Burke family, including a reading by Julie Whitaker from her recent collection of Burke's later poetry (Late Poems, 1968-1993, co-edited with David Blakesley).

Finally, a special feature of this conference will be an event celebrating the lives and works of three much-missed members of the Kenneth Burke Society: Bernard Brock, Leland Griffin, and William Rueckert.

Proposals for paper and panels

While always encouraging submissions focused around the conference theme, we also welcome work by faculty as well as students on any subject related to Burkean scholarship. Please identify student proposals as such, indicating school, area of major study, level (graduate or undergraduate). Proposal should be 250-350 words in length (for panels, include 250-350 words for each paper). Submit proposal electronically, as either PDF or MS Word document, to george.boone@villanova.edu, with the words “Submission to Burke Conference” on the subject line of the e-mail.

Deadline for proposals: February 1, 2008. Selections for the conference will be announced April 1, 2008.

The length of completed papers should be appropriate for a 15-20 minute presentation. Completed papers submitted by May 1, 2008 will be eligible for awards, one for the best conference paper, the other for the best graduate student paper. In addition, up to two meritorious undergraduate papers will receive conference grants (travel, housing, conference registration) from Graduate Programs in Communication at Villanova.

About the Conference Location

All events and programs for the convention will be held at the Villanova University Conference Center, located just off of its main campus. The combination historic mansion and contemporary conference facility will allow participants to enjoy a peaceful, bucolic setting, without having to stray far from the day’s meeting and banquet rooms. Conference participants will have three options for housing: the Conference Center itself, the nearby Radnor Hotel, or air-conditioned campus apartments—this last option especially helpful for budget-conscious Burkeans. Details on housing prices and reservations will be posted by January, 2008. Please note: transportation will be provided at no additional cost for all those staying at the Radnor Hotel and campus apartments.

For additional information on paper submission, registration, housing, and other matters, consult the conference website (http://communication.villanova.edu/burke/index.htm) or direct questions to George Boone, Assistant to the Conference Planner (george.boone@villanova.edu), or to Bryan Crable, Conference Planner (bryan.crable@villanova.edu).

US Mail should be directed to Communication Department, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085-1699, USA.

Book Discounts for KBS Members

Members of the Kenneth Burke Society can use the information below to purchase important books by and about Burke at a significant discount. These days, it's important to support the publishers of "Boik Woiks" (as KB would put it) so that we continue to benefit from their efforts to provide an important venue for our scholarship. The Kenneth Burke Society appreciates their generosity.

Parlor Press

Parlor Press offers a 20 percent discount on all books by and about Kenneth Burke, including Essays Toward a Symbolic of Motives, 1950 to 1955, Kenneth Burke on Shakespeare, Letters from Kenneth Burke to William H. Rueckert, 1959-1987, Poetic Healing (Huglen and Clark), a Parlor Press t-shirt with a caricature of Burke (available June 1, 2008), and forthcoming Burke books, such as Literature as Equipment for Living and Kenneth Burke and His Circles . You need to use this form (PDF format) to order your books or other paraphernalia. You may also call Parlor Press with your order at 765.409.2649.

Parlor Press Website: http://wwwparlorpress.com

Roman and Littlefield

Roman and Littlefield offers a 25 percent discount to KBS Members through 2/10/2008 on these titles. Use this discount code when ordering online or by phone: 4S7KBJOU

• The Rhetoric of Redemption: Kenneth Burke's Redemption Drama and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech (Bobbitt)
• Making Sense of Political Ideology: The Power of Language in Democracy (Brock, Huglen, Klumpp, and Howell)

Roman and Littlefield Website: http://www.rowmanlittlefield.com

Say Press

Say Press offers a 20 percent discount on its Burke titles, including A Concise Kenneth Burke Concordance, Persuasion, Proposals, and Public Speaking, The Seven Cs of Stress: A Burkean Approach, and Psychotic Entelechy: The Dangers of Spiritual Gifts Theology. Please use this online order form: http://mywebpage.netscape.com/lindsaystan/KBS-SayPress.html

Say Press Website: http://www.saypress.com

University of California Press

The University of California Press offers a 20 percent discount to KBS members on its Burke books using this code, which you should enter at the time of your online purchase: 07D1676 

UC Press Website: http://www.ucpress.edu/books/

Constitution and Bylaws of the Kenneth Burke Society

[Ratified November 14, 1986. Revised May 8, 1993.]

Constitution

Article I

Name

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Kenneth Burke Society.

Section 2. Official use of the Kenneth Burke Society's name shall be made only through the authority of the officers of the Kenneth Burke Society or by members of the Kenneth Burke Society at the triennial convention business meetings.

Article II

Purposes

Section 1. The purpose of the Kenneth Burke Society shall be to promote the study, understanding, dissemination of, research on, critical analysis of, and preservation of the works of and about Kenneth Burke.

Section 2. The Kenneth Burke Society, a not-for-profit organization, exists for educational, scientific, and literary purposes only. No part of the organization's net earnings shall inure to the private benefit of any individual or group. No substantial part of the activities of the Kenneth Burke Society shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation. The Kenneth Burke Society shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Article III

Membership

Membership in the Kenneth Burke Society shall be open to any person or institution interested in promoting the Kenneth Burke Society's purpose.

Article IV

Affiliate Organizations

The officers or by members of the Kenneth Burke Society at triennial convention business meetings, may upon petition from an association whose objectives are consistent with those of the Kenneth Burke Society, grant to such an association the status of affiliate organization.

Article V

Officers

Section 1. The officers shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Editor of Publications.

Section 2. The Vice President shall succeed to the office of President.

Section 3. The officers shall be nominated and elected as specified in the Bylaws.

Section 4. The duties of the officers shall be as specified in the Bylaws.

Section 5. In the event of the incapacity of any officer, the remaining officers shall, at their discretion, elect a replacement or establish a nomination and election procedure for so doing.

Article VI

Committees

The Kenneth Burke Society shall have such ad hoc committees as shall be created by the President or by members of the Kenneth Burke Society at the triennial convention business meetings and such ad hoc committees as shall be created by any other officers with advice and consent of the President or by members of the Kenneth Burke Society at the triennial convention business meetings.

Article VII

Program Sessions and Business Meetings

Section 1. Program sessions to promote the purposes of the Kenneth Burke Society shall be held as specified in the Bylaws.

Section 2. Business meetings for all members of the Kenneth Burke Society shall be held as specified in the Bylaws.

Section 3. A quorum for a business meeting shall be one percent of the members of the Kenneth Burke Society.

Article VIII

Chapters

Section 1. With the advice and consent of the officers of the Kenneth Burke Society or by members of the Kenneth Burke Society at the triennial convention business meetings, members of the Kenneth Burke Society may form Chapters within other professional organizations and associations whose principles are consistent with the purposes of the Kenneth Burke Society.

Section 2. Each Chapter may elect the officers and adopt an organizational arrangement which is appropriate to the organization and association in which it functions.

Section 3. Each Chapter may sponsor program sessions, hold business meetings, elect its own officers, distribute publications, and sponsor other activities consistent with the purposes of the Kenneth Burke Society.

Section 4. Each Chapter shall delegate a representative of the Chapter to report on the activities of the Chapter at triennial business meetings of the Kenneth Burke Society.

Article IX

Triennial Convention

Section 1. The Kenneth Burke Society shall sponsor a convention for all members of the Kenneth Burke Society every three years referred to, in this document, as the triennial convention.

Section 2. At the triennial convention business meeting of the Kenneth Burke Society, the members shall elect a Chief Convention Planner whose primary responsibility shall be to appoint a Convention Planning Committee and to plan the triennial convention with the advice of the Convention Planning Committee.

Section 3. The Chief Convention Planner and the Convention Planning Committee shall select the convention site and dates for the triennial convention.

Section 4. The Chief Convention Planner and the Convention Planning Committee shall be responsible for the activities and organization of the triennial convention.

Section 5. The Chief Convention Planner and the Convention Planning Committee shall establish a convention fee for the triennial convention in accordance with the Kenneth Burke Society's financial needs.

Article X

Amendments

Section 1. The officers, by majority vote, may initiate amendments to this Constitution.

Section 2. Any member of the Kenneth Burke Society may petition the officers, which shall then mandate them to consider a proposed amendment.

Section 3. Any 25 members of the Kenneth Burke Society may present a petition that will mandate the officers to submit a proposed amendment to the members.

Section 4. Any amendment initiated as specified in the Sections above shall be voted on by the Kenneth Burke Society membership at the triennial convention business meetings. Such an amendment shall be approved by a simple majority of the members voting.

Article XI

Dissolution

The Kenneth Burke Society may be dissolved only at a special meeting called for such purposes, and in the manner prescribed by the relevant federal and state laws, by vote of the three-fourths of the members present. Upon any such dissolution of the Kenneth Burke Society, the Treasurer shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Kenneth Burke Society, dispose of all of the assets of the Kenneth Burke Society exclusively for the purposes of the Kenneth Burke Society in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, literary, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 ( or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws), as the officers may determine.

Bylaws

Article I

Dues and Fees

Section 1. Annual dues for members of the Kenneth Burke Society shall be determined by the members of the Kenneth Burke Society at the triennial convention business meetings.

Section 2. Upon petition of 25 members of the Kenneth Burke Society, the officers must submit any decision to change dues to the members at the next triennial convention business meeting of the Kenneth Burke Society. A simple majority of those voting shall constitute approval.

Article II

Meetings

Section 1. Meetings of the Kenneth Burke Society and of its constituent bodies are normally open to all members. Each body shall establish its own rules.

Section 2. The Kenneth Burke Society shall assume no responsibility for statements of opinion expressed by participants in program sessions sponsored by the Kenneth Burke Society or in such other conferences and meetings as it may sponsor or which may be sponsored by any Chapter of the Kenneth Burke Society.

Section 3. The Kenneth Burke Society shall sponsor program sessions at its triennial conventions. Program sessions shall be under the direction of the Chief Convention Planner (or whomever the Chief Convention Planner may designate for this purpose). Policy implementation and financial obligations of such program sessions shall be subject to the approval of the Chief Convention Planner and the Convention Planning Committee, governed by the policies approved by members of the Kenneth Burke Society at triennial convention business meetings.

Section 4. Program sessions shall be organized by the Chief Convention Planner (or whomever the Chief Convention Planner may designate for this purpose). Whenever possible, a call for papers shall be distributed to all members of the Kenneth Burke Society and papers shall be competitively selected, through a "blind review" process, by a Selection Committee appointed by the Chief Convention Planner (or whomever the Chief Convention Planner may designate for this purpose).

Section 5. The Kenneth Burke Society shall hold periodic business meetings for all members of the Kenneth Burke Society, at least at the triennial convention of the Kenneth Burke Society, and at other times and places to be determined by the officers of the Kenneth Burke Society. The officers shall notify all members of the Society of the date, time, location, and agenda of each business meeting at least two months prior to the meetings. Business meetings may be held in association with the scheduled activities of other professional associations and organizations.

Article III

Eligibility for Office

A person must be a member of the Kenneth Burke Society to be eligible for (1) nomination to candidacy for any elective office of the Kenneth Burke Society; (2) appointment to any appointive office or committee position in the Kenneth Burke Society; and (3) election to any elective office in the Kenneth Burke Society.

Article IV

Nomination and Election of Officers

Section 1. Any member of the Kenneth Burke Society may nominate any eligible person for any Kenneth Burke Society office during a scheduled election at a triennial convention business meeting of the Kenneth Burke Society.

Section 2. The nominee for any office receiving a simple majority of the votes cast at a triennial convention business meeting of the Kenneth Burke Society shall be elected. Should no candidate receive a majority of votes cast, a runoff election shall be held between the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes.

Section 3. Elected officers shall assume office at the conclusion of the triennial convention business meeting immediately following their election.

Section 4. Elected officers shall serve three (3) year terms of office.

Article V

Duties of Officers

Section 1. The President shall serve as presiding officer of the Kenneth Burke Society at its triennial convention business meetings and shall discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to the office. The President shall be responsible for the administration of the Kenneth Burke Society's business meetings.

Section 2. The Vice President shall discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to the office and shall succeed to the office of the President in the event of the death, disability, or resignation of the President. The Vice President shall succeed automatically to the office of President at the conclusion of the President's term of office.

Section 3. The Secretary shall perform the usual duties adhering to the office.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall perform the usual duties adhering to the office.

Section 5. The Editor of Publications shall select the editorial staff and shall perform the usual duties of an editor-in-chief.

Article VI

Publications

Section 1. The Kenneth Burke Society shall publish a scholarly newsletter. The name of the newsletter shall be the Kenneth Burke Society Newsletter.

Section 2. The Kenneth Burke Society shall publish other scholarly publications as shall be determined by the membership of the Kenneth Burke Society at its triennial convention business meetings.

Section 3. The Kenneth Burke Society shall assume no responsibility for statements of opinion expressed by individuals in any publication sponsored by the Kenneth Burke Society or sponsored or published by any Chapter of the Kenneth Burke Society.

Article VII

Parliamentary Authority

In the absence of any provision to the contrary in the Constitution or Bylaws, all business meetings of the Kenneth Burke Society or the subsidiary bodies of the Kenneth Burke Society shall be governed by the parliamentary rules and usages contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Orders, Newly Revised.

Article VIII

Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to these Bylaws may be initiated by a majority of the officers or by a petition addressed to the officers and signed by 25 members of the Kenneth Burke Society.

Section 2. Proposed amendments to these Bylaws shall be presented to the members present at the triennial convention business meeting of the Kenneth Burke Society for vote. Such an amendment shall be adopted if it is approved by a majority.

Join the Kenneth Burke Society Online

Your Kenneth Burke Society Membership entitles you to premium content at KB Journal, book discounts, and more. Read more about it here. Important: So that the Kenneth Burke Society has your mailing address (for conference announcements and more), please enter your mailing address in your profile. If you don't have an account at KB Journal, please register first. If you already have an account and are signed in, click on "my account" and then the "edit" tab. Enter your mailing address under "Personal Information." The information is not public and will be used only by the Society for communicating directly with you.

One-Year Regular Membership in the Kenneth Burke Society: $20.00. Click on the button below to pay for your membership securely through PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account, but you'll need a credit card.

Three-Year Regular Membership in the Kenneth Burke Society: $50.00. Click on the button below to pay for your membership securely through PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account, but you'll need a credit card.

One-Year Student Membership in the Kenneth Burke Society: $10.00. Click on the button below to pay for your membership securely through PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account, but you'll need a credit card.

Three-Year Student Membership in the Kenneth Burke Society: $25.00. Click on the button below to pay for your membership securely through PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account, but you'll need a credit card.

Join the Kenneth Burke Society by Mail

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Dues: Regular: $20 per year; $50 for 3 years
Student: $10 per year; $25 for 3 years

To join or renew your membership, please send a check made out to "Kenneth Burke Society" and mail it to:

Peter Smudde, Treasurer
Department of Communication
Heide Hall, Room 452
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater, WI 53190-1790

KB Discussion List

The Kenneth Burke Discussion List has been active since 1997 and is moderated by David Blakesley. In 2007, there were 240 subscribers. To subscribe or adjust your subscription details, go to the KB List Information Page:

https://lists.purdue.edu/mailman/listinfo/kb

If you have questions that can't be answered there, please send a note to Dave via our online contact form:

http://kbjournal.org/user/4

Newsletters of the Kenneth Burke Society

Some archival issues of the Kenneth Burke Society Newsletter are available to active Society members in PDF format. Here, we list the issue date, volume, number, and front page headline.

December, 1993: "Kenneth Burke Dies at Home in Andover, November 19, 1993" (180 kb)
Volume 9, Number 1

June, 1995: "Burke Centenary" (423 kb)
Volume 10, Number 1

May, 1996: "Books & Bibliography" (250 kb)
Volume 11, Number 1

October, 1998: "Continuing Our Conversation" (1999 Iowa Conference Preview) (598 kb)
Volume 12, Number 1

April, 1999: "Culture, Criticism, Dialectic: Engaging Kenneth Burke" (1999 Iowa Conference Program) (316 kb)
Volume 12, Number 2

June, 2000: "1999's Iowa Conference" (Conference Reports) (457 kb)
Volume 13, Number 1