ON BEING SOUTHERN IN AN AGE OF RADICALISM

St Christopher Conference Center, July 9-14, 2017

Seabrook Island, South Carolina

The South has a depth of meaning not available to other regions of the country. It is older than the United States, and for four years it was a nation fighting for its independence. It has known tragedy, greatness, and humility. Having changed, it has yet retained a substantial character. To be Southern does not require being born in the South, nor to be of a specific race or ethnic group, nor is it an ideology. M.E. Bradford defined Southern identity as “a vital long lasting bond among those who have contributed to it.” And Flannery O’Connor said “It lies very deep. In its entirety, it is known only to God, but of those who look for it, none gets so close as the artist.”

Join us for a thoughtful discussion of Southern Identity and the posture it should assume in an increasingly shallow and fractured “American” national identity.

PROGRAM

SUNDAY, JULY 9

4:00-6:00         Registration; St.Christopher Orientation at 5:45 in the Temple

6:00-7:00         Supper (All meals in cafeteria)

7:00-8:00         “Southern Identity and Its Contested Relation to “American” Identity,

Donald Livingston

8:00-                Conviviality

 

MONDAY, JULY 10

8:00-9:00         Breakfast

9:00-10:00       “The Classical Origins of Southern Identity in Literature, Part I,” James Kibler

10:00-11:00     “The Unshaken Rock: The Jeffersonian Tradition in America,” Ryan Walters

11:00-12-00     “Southerners: A Pilgrim People, Part I” Bill Wilson

12:00-1:00       Dinner

1:00-4:00         Free Time

4:00-5:00         “The Failure of American Conservatism Under the Shadow of the World Wars,”

Carey Roberts

5:00-6:30         Seminar: “Origins of Southern Identity.”

6:30-7:30         Supper

7:30-8:30         “The South in Poetry: Landscapes, History, Characters,” Catharine Brosman

8:30-                Conviviality

 

TUESDAY, JULY 11

8:00-9:00         Breakfast

9:00-10:00       “Four Independent Louisiana Poets,” Catharine Savage Brosman

10:00-11:00     “The Classical Origins of Southern Identity in Literature, Part II,” James Kibler

11:00-12:00     “Federalism as the Cure for an Ideological Age,’ Carey Roberts

12:00-1:00       Dinner

1:00-4:00         Free Time

4:00-5:00         “What is Wrong With Ideology?” Donald Livingston

5:00-6:30         Seminar: “Two Types of American Individualism”

6:30-7:30         Supper

7:30-                Conviviality

 

WEDNESDAY, JULY12

8:00-9:00         Breakfast

9:00-5:00         Free Time. We will spend the day in historic Charleston. Walking tours will be available for those not familiar with the city. The rest are on your own. Suggestions will be made for things to do and see. At 5:00 sharp we meet for a reception at the Carolina Yacht Club, 50 East Bay St. Charleston, SC. followed by a Banquet, and an address by Major General James Livingston, Medal of Honor Recepient. Afterwards departure to St.Christopher Conference Center.

 

Thursday, July 13

8:00-9:00         “‘New South’ Voices of the Southern Tradition, Brion McClanahan

9:00-10:00       “What Was the New South?” Clyde Wilson

11:00-12:00     ““Lyon Gardiner Tyler and Southern History,” Brion McClanahan

12:00-1:00       Dinner

1:00-4:00         Free Time

4:00-5:00         “Southerners: A Pilgrim People, Part II,” Bill Wilson

5:00-6:30         Seminar: “An Attempt at Definition of Southern Identity”

6:30-7:30         Supper

7:30-8:30         Conviviality

 

Friday, July 14

8:00-9:00         Breakfast and Departure

 

DISTINGUISHED GUEST LECTURER

James Livingston (Major General, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient)

PLACE

St. Christopher Conference on beautiful Seabrook Island. Wednesday will be spent  touring the historic sights of Charleston.

COST

The cost for tuition, room, board, and continuous refreshments for five days is $1,128 (single) and $1,956 (double). The conference is open to the public, but preference is given to college and graduate students who are encouraged to apply (and soon as space is limited). Scholarships are available. To apply contact [email protected] or phone (843) 323 0690.