1. Keynote lecture by a leading scholar

• for a general audience
• followed by a discussion and questions from the audience.

2. Panel presentations by scholars currently making a contribution in the area of inquiry

• for general audiences
• followed by discussion
• perhaps with a critical response, especially by a member of the Drake faculty.

3. Seminars or workshops among faculty

• including both the visitors and Drake faculty
• involving critical discussion of the keynote address
• involving critical discussion of common texts, e.g., texts written by or analyzed by members of the panels
• texts (perhaps including the keynote address) to be distributed beforehand
• perhaps also organized for open discussion on given topics
• to be conducted by a group leader responsible for an agenda or thesis for the discussion.

4. Involvement with students

• meeting with classes
• meeting with students groups.

5. Involvement with individual faculty

6. Orientation towards producing published scholarship

• by individuals
• of conference papers; e.g., a special issue of a journal.

7. Area college involvement

8. In some cases, a registration fee.

General Criteria for a Conference:

• a clearly focused topic or theme of importance to scholarship in the humanities; additional potential for contributing to public debate and understanding is strongly encouraged but not necessary for consideration
• involvement of a leading scholar in the area of inquiry
• a cohort of active scholars from several institutions who represent important critical perspectives on the topic or theme; additional representation of a variety of disciplines is encouraged strongly but not necessary for consideration
• a cohort of faculty on campus committed to the project
• a common text form some sessions.