Barry Stephenson

The two-day interdisciplinary research symposium aims to highlight the multitude of approaches and data examined by scholars who study religion across disciplines. ‘Text’ here is understood broadly, and includes, alongside literary culture, ritual, performance, works of art, institutions and visual and material culture. ‘Context’ is similarly understood broadly.

Our plenary speaker is Dr. Courtney Bender (Department of Religion, Columbia University). The organizers invite participants to present research findings, share research in progress and foster scholarly conversations related to method and theory in the study of religion.

Of special interest are papers on the theme of “Religion out of Place,” instances where religion or the religious makes, perhaps, an unexpected appearance: in the pages of literature and the frames of film; in the mediated spaces of the internet and apps; in the conceptual space of theories and legislation; in the geographies of wilderness, the marketplace, or the office lunch room. The symposium includes a round table on this topic. Papers on other topics and themes are also most welcome. Graduate students are especially encouraged to participate.

The deadline for submissions of paper abstracts (papers are to be 20 mins.) is February 15, 2019.

Please send 150-200 word abstracts to: textandcontextsym@mun.ca

Presenters will be notified in writing by February 20, 2019.

For further information, contact:

Barry Stephenson (bstephenson@mun.ca)

Jennifer Selby (jselby@mun.ca)

Department of Religious Studies

Memorial University

St. John's, NL A1C 5S7