CFP — CONFERENCE ON THE STUDY OF RELIGIONS OF INDIA (CSRI)

THE CONFERENCE ON THE STUDY OF RELIGIONS OF INDIA (CSRI)
ANNUAL MEETING 2013
CALL FOR PAPERS
“Not Quite Divine: Co-stars and Supporting Casts in South Asian Religions”

The Conference on the Study of Religions of India (CSRI) invites proposals for its upcoming Annual Meeting to be held at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey from June 27 to June 30, 2013. The conference theme is “Not Quite Divine: Co-stars and Supporting Casts in South Asian Religions.” Possible topics related to this theme include investigations of a range of demi-deities, saints, spirits, ghosts, and demons. Papers may analyze near divine entities as described, invoked, and/or experienced in oral and textual narrative; artistic, musical, and theatrical expression; and ritual, mystical, and possession practice. Participants might also examine debates regarding the divine natures of saintly humans or the processes of apotheosis involving – but not limited to – human heroes, movie stars, and topographical features. Conference organizers (Corinne Dempsey, Reid Locklin, Karen Pechilis, and Brian Pennington) welcome individual paper proposals of no longer than 250 words, to be submitted to the program coordinator, Corinne Dempsey (cdempse6@naz.edu), no later than March 1, 2013.

The Conference on the Study of Religions of India (CSRI) is a forum of exchange for scholars engaged in the academic study of the religious traditions of India in both native and diasporic contexts. It provides scholars a leisurely, collegial environment in which to present their work. Emphasis will be placed on informality among peers. Committed to critical and creative inquiry, the conference is not an advocacy forum for the religions of India and does not endorse or proscribe a particular point of view. Only scholars with terminal degrees in religious studies or related academic disciplines (like Anthropology, Art, Ethnomusicology, History, Philosophy, Theology, Women Studies) researching and/or teaching in the area of religions of India are eligible to present, attend, and participate in the conference. Graduate students in advanced standing in any of these disciplines are also welcome to participate in the conference.