Call for Papers and Panels

The Nuremberg War Crimes Trial and Its Policy Consequences Today: An Interdisciplinary Conference, October 6-7, 2006

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Proposal Deadline: March 15, 2006

Abstract Deadline: May 15, 2006

Paper Submission to Commentators: September 10, 2006

Registration Deadline: September 15, 2006

All submissions must be in electronic format, correspondence will be via e-mail

The Graduate Program in Policy History and the Social Philosophy and Policy Center of Bowling Green State University, the University of Toledo College of Law and the Robert H. Jackson Center present a two-day interdisciplinary conference with the aim of facilitating the study of historical, political, legal and military implications of the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial across the past six decades.

Robert H. Jackson, Associate Supreme Court Justice and United States Chief of Counsel for the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial, asserted we “must never forget that the record on which we judge these defendants today is the record on which history will judge us tomorrow.” We explore that history through an invitation for paper and panel proposals on topics that deal with these implications within the disciplines of history, law, military science, international relations and political science. Proposals from graduate students as well as scholars with terminal degrees and members of the above-named professions are warmly encouraged. 

Proposal Requirements —A proposal for papers or panels should be submitted electronically to policyhistory@bgsu.edu no later than March 15, 2006 . A one-page curriculum vitae or resume for each presenter should be attached. Detailed instructions for the submission of proposals may be found on the Conference website at www.bgsu.edu/departments/history/nuremberg, which is currently being constructed.

Abstract Requirements--Paper abstracts of up to 500 words (using Microsoft Word or PDF format, 12 point font, double-spaced) must be submitted by May 15, 2006 to policyhistory@bgsu.edu. The cover page format can be accessed at www.bgsu.edu/departments/history/nuremberg.

Paper Requirements--In order to ensure time for active discussions, each presenter will be allowed 20 minutes for a primary presentation. The paper must be typed, in English, double-spaced, with 12 point font. Panel assignments will be made by the program committee by August 1, 2006 and participants are advised to submit their papers to panel commentators and other panel members by September 10, 2006.

In order for participants’ names and paper titles to appear in the final conference program, all participants must register by September 15, 2006. Papers and panels should be focused on the themes of four major topics identified below and the sub-themes into which they will be divided:

First Topic:  The Nuremberg Trial, its place in history, and its lessons regarding crimes against peace, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

            Sub-themes:

• Political ramifications

• Legal/juridical ramifications

• Military ramifications

Second Topic: The historical aspects of international participation in the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial from the perspective of those involved and its implications for the trial of crimes against peace, crimes against humanity and war crimes today.

            Sub-themes:

• Perspectives and policies of national/state participants and other countries involved in the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial: British, French, German, Polish, Russian, Soviet, Ukrainian, etc.

Third Topic: The evolution of international justice systems after Nuremberg and the legal, political and practical obstacles they must overcome.

            Sub-themes:

• The International Criminal Court

• International Criminal Tribunals

• Special Courts

• International Court of Justice

• Other international justice systems

Fourth Topic: United States policy and American national perspectives on the International Criminal Court, Special Courts, International Tribunals and other international criminal justice systems after Nuremberg.

            Sub-themes:

• Non-governmental organizations’ perspectives

• United States formal policies

• United States military policies

• American Bar Association and other legal perspectives

            Additional sub-theme:

• The precedents established at Nuremberg and their influence on U.S. Domestic Courts

For more information contact The Graduate Program in Policy History, Bowling Green State University at (419) 372-2030, e-mail policyhistory@bgsu.edu or visit the conference website at www.bgsu.edu/departments/history/nuremberg or the Robert H. Jackson Center website at www.roberthjackson.org.