Monthly Archives: July 2016

Call for Topical Issues: Open Theology vol. 2017

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Call for proposals

for upcoming TOPICAL ISSUES

in the Open Theology journal vol. 2017

Open Theology journal (http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/opth) invites groups of researchers, conference organizers etc. to submit their proposals of edited volumes to be considered as topical issues for vol. 2017.

Open Theology is an international Open Access, peer-reviewed academic journal that welcomes contributions addressing religion in its various forms and aspects: historical, theological, sociological, psychological, and other. The journal encompasses all major disciplines of Theology and Religious Studies, presenting doctrine, history, organization and everyday life of various types of religious groups and the relations between them. We publish articles from the field of Theology as well as Philosophy, Sociology and Psychology of Religion, and also dialogue between Religion and Science.

 

 

Our past topical issues included:

2015:

  • Violence of Non-Violence (ed. Michael Jerryson and Margo Kitts)

  • Manichaeism – New Historical and Philological Studies (ed. John C. Reeves)

  • In Search of a Contemporary World View: Contrasting Thomistic and Whiteheadian Approaches (ed. Joseph Bracken)

  • Science and/or Religion: a 21st Century Debate (ed. Shiva Khalili and Fraser Watts)

2016:

  • Cognitive Science of Religion (ed. Jason Marsh)

  • Is Transreligious Theology Possible? (ed. Jerry L. Martin)

    •  

    All are available, free access, at: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/opth

     

    Uncoming titles (2016):

    • Is Transreligious Theology Possible? (ed. Jerry L. Martin)

  • Psychotherapy and Religious Values (ed. P. Scott Richards)

  • Bible Translation (ed. Mark L. Strauss)

  • Religious Recognition (ed. Heikki Koskinen, Ritva Palmen and Risto Saarinen)

    •  

    HOW TO SUBMIT

    Proposals may be submitted by completing the Topical Issue Proposal Form available at http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/opth and forwarding them to Managing Editor Dr. Katarzyna Tempczyk at katarzyna.tempczyk@degruyteropen.com.

    Proposals received by 31 October 2016 may qualify for special publication offers.

    For futher details, please contact Dr. Katarzyna Tempczyk at katarzyna.tempczyk@degruyteropen.com.

    Book Announcement: Family Law in Syria

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    Dear Colleagues,

    I am delighted to announce that my book Family Law in Syria. Patriarchy, Pluralism and Personal Status Laws is now out with I.B. Tauris (London, UK).

    ABOUT THE BOOK

    The current Syrian crisis has its roots in the sectarian nature of the country’s multi-religious society. Since Ottoman times, the different religious communities have enjoyed the right to regulate and administer their own family relations. Matters of personal status including marriage, divorce, child custody and inheritance continue to be managed by a variety of religious laws and courts operating simultaneously within the legal system of the state. However, this complex system of competing jurisdictions has also affected inter-communal relations and has been used to deepen communal divides. Esther van Eijk discusses socio-legal practices in Syria by focusing on three courts: a shar‘iyya, a Catholic court and a Greek-Orthodox court. While the plurality of Syrian family law is clear, she shows how – irrespective of religious affiliation – it is nevertheless characterised by the prevalence of shared cultural or patriarchal views and norms on marital relations, family and gender. Based on extensive fieldwork, Family Law in Syria offers a detailed analysis of a country that has in recent years been inaccessible to researchers. The book is a vital contribution to the growing literature on personal status laws in the Middle East and sheds light on the historical, socio-political and religious complexities and fault-lines that mark contemporary Syria.

    REVIEWS
    ‘This book is a significant addition to the literature on contemporary family law in the Middle East, with valuable research material on Syrian law and court practice presented within the frames of emerging scholarly themes.’ – Lynn Welchman, Professor of law, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)

    ‘This is an excellent piece of work in a poorly researched topic. Indeed, while the personal status of Muslims attracted much attention, family law of non-Muslim communities in Muslim-majority societies was neglected. However, [van Eijk’s] study provides a wonderful entry into the legal and social evolutions of contemporary multi-confessional societies in which co-existence and tolerance became especially problematic recently.’ – Baudouin Dupret, Associate Professor for Law, Political Science and Anthropology at University of Leiden, Netherlands

    For more information see: http://www.ibtauris.com/Books/Law/Jurisprudence%20%20general%20issues/Law%20%20society/Family%20Law%20in%20Syria%20Patriarchy%20Pluralism%20and%20Personal%20Status%20Codes.aspx?menuitem={FE151E5B-2A65-4E60-9F5A-6671400BE59B}

    When you order online go to www.ibtauris.com and enter the discount code (see attached flyer) when prompted (for individuals only), which will give you a 30% discount (Special Offer Price £48.30).

    Esther van Eijk

    Call for Special Issue – Islam in the 21st Century: Challenges & Opportunities for Social Work with Muslims

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    JOURNAL OF
    RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY IN     SOCIAL WORK:
    SOCIAL THOUGHT
    www.tandfonline.com/WRSP

    Affiliated with the Society for
    Spirituality and Social Work
    http://societyforspiritualityandsocialwork.com/


    Call for Special Issue
    ISLAM IN THE 21ST CENTURY:
    CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
    FOR SOCIAL WORK WITH MUSLIMS
    Guest Editor, Altaf Husain, PhD, Howard University School of Social Work
    Deadline: August 15, 2016

    This special issue aims to fill the gaps in the existing literature on social work education, practice and research with Muslims, with a particular focus on the examination of issues of social justice and Islam, and the concomitant impact of Islamic teachings on the development of policy and the delivery of social services. The special issue is intended to allow prospective authors the latitude to delve deeper into the role of Islam in the daily lives of potential clients and in the healthy functioning of organizations and communities.

    Conceptual, research-based, and practice-oriented articles are being solicited in these four broad areas:
    1. Islamic beliefs and values;
    2. Micro direct practice;
    3. Macro direct practice; and
    4. Best practices in serving Muslim clients, organizations and communities.

    Guiding questions to assist with the development of original manuscripts include:

    • What does the Islamic philosophy of social work look like? Is there such a philosophy?
    • What are the key Islamic beliefs and values which are central to ensuring spiritual competence among social work professionals working with Muslim clients?
    • How does the Islamic belief system align with the values and ethics of the social work profession?
    • How are mental health and psychosocial wellbeing defined, interpreted and addressed according to the Islamic teachings?
    • How has anti-Islamic bigotry impacted individuals and communities?
    • How is community defined and what unique principles of community organizing and development can be discerned from the Islamic tradition?
    • What best practices have emerged within social work education, practice and research with the Muslim population?

    DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE CALL FOR PAPERS or share electronically with colleagues – click here.

    Open positions: Three collaborating research fellowships/postdocs on Religion and Migration

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    Open positions at Uppsala University:
    Three collaborating research fellowships/postdocs on the theme
    “Religion and Migration: Challenges for Society, Law and Democracy”
    Uppsala University is an international research university focused on the development of science and education. Our most important assets are all the individuals who with their curiosity and their dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting work places. Uppsala University has 40,000 students, 7,000 employees and a turnover of SEK 6,5 billion.
    The research fellowships will be part of the multidisciplinary research programme The Impact of Religion: Challenges for Society, Law and Democracy (IMPACT) at Uppsala Religion and Society Research Centre (CRS), which administratively is a unit within the Department of Theology. IMPACT explores how the increased visibility of religion translates into substantive changes in Swedish and Nordic society. It involves around 60 researchers from six university faculties and more than 25 academic disciplines (www.impactofreligion.uu.se).
    – Time period January 1st 2017 – May 31st 2018 (17 months)
    – 75% of full-time working time

    Religion and migration

    Complex economic, social, political, legal and cultural transformations related to migration are currently taking place in Sweden and Europe at large affecting the religious landscape. Sweden is an advanced, post-industrial society where individual autonomy and human rights constitute core values and religion is regarded as being part of the private sphere. The increasing levels of migration introduce “new” social and religious values which raise new and challenging questions. These relate to individual and collective rights; the foundation and function of the family and the role of gender; the role of religion and religious organisations in public life such as politics, education and media; religion in relation to violence and racism and in relation to the definition of health and well-being; and questions on the construction of both secular and religious world views. Current developments and challenges related to religion and migration needs to be addressed from a wide range of disciplinary and methodological approaches.
    The research fellowships and their projects/work description

    Three 75% research fellowships from different disciplines will be recruited and employed for the same time period. They will form an interdisciplinary research team, each one of them having their own project but working in close collaboration in a sharing atmosphere supported by a senior IMPACT researcher as mentor. They will be expected to take part in work on applications for external funding to finance their research after the fellowship period. Uppsala Religion and Society Research Centre (CRS) (www.crs.uu.se) will be their physical working environment.

    Qualifications Candidates for these positions:
     have finished a PhD
     have a strong academic record as evinced by curriculum vitae and list of publications
     have a concrete and creative idea for their research project, which fits into the IMPACT research environment and contributes with additional qualities
     have organisational skills
     have an independent attitude as well as ability to work in a team
     have excellent proficiency in written and spoken English
     have an international academic network
    Application Interested candidates should submit a complete application (in English) composed of:
    A) A letter of application. B) A description of your research project plans/ideas. C) A letter of motivation, describing your own research interests, addressing the theme “Religion and Migration: Challenges for Society, Law and Democracy” and explaining how your research project plans/ideas will contribute. Describe also what kind of interdisciplinary collaboration with other researchers that would be of interest for you. D) A complete CV with a publication list. E) Letters of recommendation from two academic referees. F) A summary of your doctoral dissertation in English. G) Three self-selected relevant “best” articles, chapters or papers.

    Please send all credentials above in PDF format and in separate attachments. The application marked UFV-PA 2016/2129 with all attachments should be sent in by September 15th 2016 at 12 pm Swedish time, by the Uppsala University application system,
    see http://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us/details/?positionId=108367
    create an account, log in and follow the instructions.
    Uppsala University aims for gender balance and diversity in all activities in order to achieve a higher quality at all levels of the organization. We therefore welcome applicants of any gender and with different birth background, functionality and life experience.
    Pay: Individual salaries
    Starting: January 1st 2017
    Type of employment: Temporary position ending May 31st 2018
    Working hours: 75 %
    Placement: Uppsala Religion and Society Research Centre, Uppsala, Sweden
    Union representative: Per Sundman, Saco-rådet, Marie Ols, TCO/ST, Stefan Djurström, Seko
    For further information about the position please contact Per Pettersson, Professor of Sociology of Religion, Director of IMPACT, per.pettersson@crs.uu.se
    We decline offers of recruitment and advertising help. We only accept the application the way described above.

    Job Opening: Lecturer in Islam in South East Asia

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    Lecturer in Islam in South East Asia

    The School of Divinity, History and Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen seeks to make an appointment of a Lecturer in the field of Islam in South East Asia with a provisional start date of January 2017.

    Applicants should have a proven research record in the relevant field and experience of teaching in higher education. This position will involve a commitment to undergraduate teaching, postgraduate supervision and research and will carry particular duties in the delivery of teaching and in the supervision of doctoral work.

    The School offers a wide range of undergraduate courses leading to an MA (without honours) after three years or, more usually, a single or joint honours MA after four years. The School houses the largest body of postgraduate students within the University

    The successful candidate will teach in the Religious Studies undergraduate programme, introduce and lead exciting and challenging courses in Islamic Studies at undergraduate and masters level, and provide postgraduate supervision within the field of their expertise.

    College of Arts and Social Sciences

    Divinity, History & Philosophy

    Staff Category: Teaching

    Position Type: Full Time

    Closing Date: 04/07/2016

    Ref No: DHP049A

    For more details please visit: 

    https://www.abdnjobs.co.uk/vacancy/lecturer-in-islam-in-south-east-asia-267144.html

    Call for Presentations: “Music and Islam”

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    IV UskoMus symposium: ”Music and Islam”
    Cultural Centre Stoa, Helsinki 10 November 2016

    Call for Presentations

    UskoMus* Research Network (uskomus.com) will organise its next one-day symposium with the theme ”Music and Islam”, with islamologist Jonas Otterbeck (Lund University) as a guest speaker. The symposium will be followed by a public discussion and a concert celebrating the 25-year career of the Turkish-Finnish band Nefes (nefes.fi <http://nefes.fi/>), supported by Senegalese Pape Sarr, Rane Diallo, Ismaila Sane and Ousseynou Mbaye, and with an emphasis on Sufi musical practices.
    UskoMus hereby invites proposals for symposium presentations, whether in the form of conventional academic papers or more experimental delivery. All topics associated with the general theme are welcome, but please note that the number of presentations is limited. The 200–300-word abstracts should be sent to uskomus.network@gmail.com no later than 30 September 2016; notifications of acceptance will be sent by 14 October.

    There will be no conference fee but no free lunches either.

    The language of the symposium will be English. The symposium is organised in collaboration with City of Helsinki Cultural Centre Stoa (stoa.fi <http://stoa.fi/>), Etnosoi! Festival (etnosoi.fi<http://etnosoi.fi/>) and Global Music Centre (globalmusic.fi <http://globalmusic.fi/>), Music Archive JAPA (musiikkiarkisto.fi <http://musiikkiarkisto.fi/>) and the Finnish Society for Ethnomusicology (etnomusikologia.fi <http://etnomusikologia.fi/>). For further information, please consult UskoMus website (uskomus.com <http://uskomus.com/>) oruskomus.network@gmail.com <mailto:uskomus-network@gmail.com>.

    Welcome to the symposium!

    On behalf of UskoMus,
    Antti-Ville Kärjä
    *) “uskomus” = a belief, a shibboleth; “usko” = faith, confidence; “mus(iikki)” = mus(ic)

    CFP: Special Issue on “Performing Religion”

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    Call for submissions:

    Performance Matters 3.1 (May 2017)

    Special issue on “Performing Religion”

    Performance and religion, both as practices and as fields of study, overlap. In religious studies, performance theory has provided a way to understand ritual as action with performative force (Tambiah 1979; Hollywood 2002), while a shared interest in ritual fueled the exchanges between Richard Schechner and Victor Turner from which grew one branch of performance studies as a discipline. Less explicitly, a reverence among performance theorists for theater’s transformational potential and performance’s politically liberatory power inspires some of the field’s foundational work (Dolan 2005; Phelan 1993). These commitments in turn draw strength from a long scholarly tradition that traces the mutually constitutive histories of theater and religion. In performance studies, a growing body of recent scholarship has reinvigorated the question of what it means to perform religion. Unlike earlier performance research which tended to downplay the religious aspects of ritual practice, this newer work focuses directly on religious activities like worship, private devotion, preaching, evangelization, and veneration. Whether analyzing onstage manifestations of Krishna (Mason 2009), evangelical dramaturgy (Stevenson 2013), proselytization as activist performance (Fletcher 2013), or occult theater (Lingan 2014), this work examines the theatrical and performance strategies of religious communities and movements. In doing so, it raises a series of disciplinary and methodological questions. What are the advantages and pitfalls of using theater and performance as analytical frameworks for studying religious activity? To what degree does ritual still occupy the middle ground between religious studies and performance studies? How might greater dialogue between scholars in these two fields enrich research on religious performance? In the interest of pursuing these and other related questions, Performance Matters invites papers that draw on performance theory, theater metaphors and the tools of performance analysis or creation to conduct research on religious practices, texts, histories, philosophies, or phenomena.

    Interested contributors are asked to send short abstracts and paper proposals (250 words) to joy_palacios@sfu.ca by July 30, 2016.

    Reviews of relevant performances or theatrical productions, as well as of books related to the theme of religious performance, are also invited, as are short position statements for a forum section featuring scholars in performance studies who work on religion and scholars in religious studies who think about performance.

    Invited full papers will then be due by November 30, 2016.

    Performance Matters is a peer-reviewed, open access, on-line journal published bi-annually by Simon Fraser University that focuses on all aspects of performance: what it does, and why it is meaningful. For more information, see http://performancematters-thejournal.com.

    CFP: Special Issue on “Performing Religion”

    Posted on by

    Call for submissions:

    Performance Matters 3.1 (May 2017)

    Special issue on “Performing Religion”

    Performance and religion, both as practices and as fields of study, overlap. In religious studies, performance theory has provided a way to understand ritual as action with performative force (Tambiah 1979; Hollywood 2002), while a shared interest in ritual fueled the exchanges between Richard Schechner and Victor Turner from which grew one branch of performance studies as a discipline. Less explicitly, a reverence among performance theorists for theater’s transformational potential and performance’s politically liberatory power inspires some of the field’s foundational work (Dolan 2005; Phelan 1993). These commitments in turn draw strength from a long scholarly tradition that traces the mutually constitutive histories of theater and religion. In performance studies, a growing body of recent scholarship has reinvigorated the question of what it means to perform religion. Unlike earlier performance research which tended to downplay the religious aspects of ritual practice, this newer work focuses directly on religious activities like worship, private devotion, preaching, evangelization, and veneration. Whether analyzing onstage manifestations of Krishna (Mason 2009), evangelical dramaturgy (Stevenson 2013), proselytization as activist performance (Fletcher 2013), or occult theater (Lingan 2014), this work examines the theatrical and performance strategies of religious communities and movements. In doing so, it raises a series of disciplinary and methodological questions. What are the advantages and pitfalls of using theater and performance as analytical frameworks for studying religious activity? To what degree does ritual still occupy the middle ground between religious studies and performance studies? How might greater dialogue between scholars in these two fields enrich research on religious performance? In the interest of pursuing these and other related questions, Performance Matters invites papers that draw on performance theory, theater metaphors and the tools of performance analysis or creation to conduct research on religious practices, texts, histories, philosophies, or phenomena.

    Interested contributors are asked to send short abstracts and paper proposals (250 words) to joy_palacios@sfu.ca by July 30, 2016.

    Reviews of relevant performances or theatrical productions, as well as of books related to the theme of religious performance, are also invited, as are short position statements for a forum section featuring scholars in performance studies who work on religion and scholars in religious studies who think about performance.

    Invited full papers will then be due by November 30, 2016.

    Performance Matters is a peer-reviewed, open access, on-line journal published bi-annually by Simon Fraser University that focuses on all aspects of performance: what it does, and why it is meaningful. For more information, see http://performancematters-thejournal.com.

    Post-Doc in Jewish-Islamic Studies

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    Dear colleagues,

    The Jewish Museum Berlin invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the framework of our Jewish-Islamic Forum. For more information visit

    http://www.jmberlin.de/main/EN/Pdfs-en/About-the-Museum/Jobs/Postdoc_WMBlumenthal-Stipendium_EN.pdf

    Best regards,

    Yasemin

    —              
    Dr. Yasemin Shooman
    Head of Academy Programs      
    W. Michael Blumenthal Academy of the Jewish Museum Berlin
    Jewish Museum Berlin
    Lindenstraße 9-14
    10969 Berlin
    Tel. +49 (030) 25993-379 | E-Mail: y.shooman@jmberlin.de