CFP: Religion, Society and Participation.

Call for Papers

Religion, Society and Participation.

PASSAGES FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE MIDDLE AGES IV August, 20-22, 2009,
University of Tampere, Finland

Organized by: Trivium Centre for Classical, Medieval and Renaissance
Studies, Department of History and Philosophy, University of Tampere
in collaboration with the Finnish Historical Society and the
Classical Association of Finland Abstract deadline: November 1, 2008

The fourth international Passages-conference focuses on religion in
its social context. Religion is seen as an active, ongoing process
involving society and community. We welcome papers which focus on
different religious acts and actors - communities, families or
individuals - and with sensitive approach to social differences:
gender, age and status.

Important themes in the conference are the differences and
similarities between elite culture and popular religion in Classical
and Medieval society.

The conference aims at broad coverage not only chronologically but
also geographically and disciplinary (all branches of Classical and
Medieval Studies). We strongly encourage contributions from a
comparative and/or interdisciplinary perspective.

The conference will concentrate on:

• Religious rituals in everyday life

• Writing and reading religion vs. oral religious culture •
Devotional groups and their functions in society • Official and
nonofficial religious practices and practitioners • Gendered
participation • Forms of devoted life: e.g. living as devoted
child/man/woman/couple • Sacrifice and self sacrifice

A one-page abstract (setting out thesis and conclusions and
containing name, academic affiliation, postal adress, e-mail) should
be submitted preferably by mail-attachment to the conference
secretary, passages@uta.fi, or to the address below. The deadline for
abstracts is November, 1. 2008, decisions on the acceptance of papers
will be made in December 2008. Presentation of conference papers
preferably in English, although papers in other major scientific
languages are accepted if provided with English summary or
translation. Registration fee for all those attending or
participating: 60 € (post-graduate students: 30 €).