ICHSS 2016 - International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences (ICHSS2016)

In our time, the speed with which information is produced and consumed is unprecedented. Cutting across geographical boundaries, the ripple of globalization and the explosion of media applications have been pivotal in bringing about this wave of change. This has infinitely impacted our cultural, linguistic and historical definitions of humanity. Specifically, the creation, communication and negotiation of knowledge as well as the construction of the notions of Self and Other have transformed the way we understand human thought and behaviour. As a result, we ask how such changes will impact the way we understand and embrace new forms of learning. How do we go on to educate our children in schools and young people in higher education? How has the occurrence of new and hybrid cultures affected communities and nations? How do the demands of new media on the everyday lives of the ordinary folk function to alter national and international policies and agenda? Such new forms of epistemological and ontological questions require new research approaches and investigative lenses so that how we live, learn and communicate in the 21st century can be better understood. More important, we ask the question of how this wave of change serves to both challenge and extend the boundaries that govern the way civil societies the world over, conduct themselves. Thus, in answering the universal call to look within and understand the human person, we return to the study of the humanities. In approaching this domain, we must constantly remind ourselves that the human person is above all else, a complex co-mingling of world-views, values, beliefs and attitudes.
Objective of the conference
This objective of this conference is to explore and address the myriad issues and challenges that we face when confronting the complexities of human thought and behavior with on-going change and revolutions especially as they relate to culture, education and communication. The conference will provide a friendly and supportive environment for discussions and exchange of ideas.
Apart from plenary and parallel sessions, this three-day international conference will also offer forum, featured papers, film screenings, book launch and exhibitions.
Conference tracks
We offer six conference tracks to cater for a comprehensive coverage of research areas within our theme.
1. Education
When focusing on the development of new educational technologies, innovative teaching methods or novel learning experiences, we neglect the role education plays in the complex development of the whole person as a responsible individual. How has education evolved from the humanities perspective? What are current innovations and practices emerging in the educational realm? The conference track on Education invites participants to explore education priorities. We welcome discussions that remind us of education as not merely being about the training of the mind but the exploring of an individual as a whole person on a journey towards the meaningful pursuit of knowledge. Thus, conference participants are encouraged to engage in discussions related to but not necessarily limited to educational theory, policy and practice towards approaching the humanities.
2. Language
Although the scholarship of language and linguistics finds its roots in antiquity, the endeavor has endured. Today, however, researchers and scholars have also begun to embrace the way in which multilingualism and translingualism have changed our notions of language and linguistics. As boundaries and definitions of languages collapse and take on new shape, we query how new notions of language across geographies and cultures can be reconciled with past definitions. We welcome discussions that engage with both theoretical and empirical approaches which contribute to rich ideas about language, language learning and linguistics.
3. Religion, science and morality
Religious and value-based thoughts and practices are important elements of culture and society. If religion and values had been assumed to be separate from science, this thinking has shifted. Science, religion and morality seem to converge at various points. Such divergences and convergences make for a rich context within which human thought and behaviour can be better and perhaps, differently understood. Located within the geographical boundary of South East Asia, the inhabitants and their rich diversities become fertile ground for researchers to understand the complexities of multicultural societies. This track offers an opportunity for researchers to explore philosophies, beliefs and ideas, and rituals and symbols that shape world cultures and civilizations. Whether historically or from a contemporary perspective, we welcome religious and moral critiques of personal, family or social life, religious observances and value-based approaches to scientific, social and cultural issues.
4. Communication and Media
The destiny of nations and communities are now being arguably shaped by media. At the same time, what we call the media has evolved into different forms, involving different, and changing modes in which we communicate to ourselves and the world. The central aim of this track is to examine the different forms and modes of narrating about ourselves, society and on nationhood. We live in interesting times, and more interesting as we evolve into the 21st century. The times are more challenging for both media consumers and producers, for states and governments, and for the professions and corporations. We invite papers that address themes which include culture and technology, media history, freedom of expression, media and marginalized communities, the future of newspapers, press freedom, the new media and national sovereignty, crisis communication, public relations, advertising, media and terrorism and, media and religions. Apart from empirical arguments, we also look forward to theoretical and conceptual concerns on communication, media and society.
5. The ASEAN Community
The ASEAN Community has been described as “as a work in progress.” Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2015 demands a transformative agenda. Focusing on the socio-cultural front, it is in the thinking of policy makers and advocates that ASEAN should become people-centered, with greater engagement among its citizenry. Culture, language, and attitudes continue to be a barrier. But common assumptions to cultures and philosophies can be a powerful tool for social and communal consciousness. The ASEAN Community track invites papers reflecting and discussing the challenges and opportunities for regional unity of ASEAN. These can be approached from several assumptions, viz, cultural, social, linguistic, religious and political boundaries. What is paramount is a sort of regional consciousness against the background of globalization, heritage and culture, economics, and markets. These can arguably be achieved through several vehicles such as history, education, media and communication, tourism, transportation and even a common ASEAN mechanism expressing a regional parliamentary representation, citizenry and identity.
6. Graduate scholars
We welcome graduate scholars and early career researchers who are researching issues within the disciplines of education, cultural studies and communication studies to explore and test out their arguments. These scholars and researchers will find that the conference offers a supportive environment for their ideas to take shape.
Plenary speakers:
En. Karim Raslan is a writer and columnist.
Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Murad Merican is an essayist and scholar in the Department of Management and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS in Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak.