16-19 May 2018
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Minneapolis, USA
Keynotes: Surekha Davies (Western Connecticut State University) and Vladimir Urbanek (Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic)
The Programme Committee for the 7th Annual Scientiae Conference invites submissions for individual papers or special panels on the disciplines of knowing in the early modern world (roughly 1400-1800), to be held at the University of Minnesota, 16-19 May 2018.
The major premise of the Scientiae Conference series is that knowledge during the early modern period was pre-disciplinary, involving complex mixtures of theories, practices and objects, which had yet to be separated into their modern ‘scientific’ configurations. Although centred on attempts to understand and control the natural world, Scientiae addresses natural philosophy, natural history, and the scientiae mixtae within a wide range of related fields, including but not restricted to Biblical exegesis, medicine, artisan practice and theory, logic, humanism, alchemy, magic, witchcraft, demonology, divinatory practices, astronomy, astrology, music, antiquarianism, experimentation and commerce. The conference and the sessions are interdisciplinary and intended to foster debate, one of Scientiae’s defining values.
While the Programme Committee welcomes proposals for 20-25 minute papers from any disciplinary perspective, we would like to encourage submissions that seek to examine modes of early modern knowledge formation and application that cross traditional national, geographic, linguistic or intellectual borders.
For 2018, we would also like to invite proposals for a series of special 2-hour interdisciplinary panels. These should be organised by theme and include three speakers and a commentator who treat the issue from different disciplinary perspectives.
The Program Committee welcomes sessions that present the scholarship of members at various stages of their careers. However, graduate student speakers must be advanced students who have completed coursework, examinations, and much of their dissertation research, and expect to defend their dissertations in the next two years.
Individual papers should include a 250-word abstract and a 1-page CV. Panel proposals should consists of a single 250-word description of the theme under discussion, and three 100-word outlines of how each paper will contribute to this theme, and from what discipline/angle.
Email proposals to: scientiaeminnesota [at] gmail.com
Deadline: 25 November 2017.
We will notify all contributors by 5 January.
Showing posts with label Witchcraft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Witchcraft. Show all posts
CALL FOR PAPERS: Superstition and Magic in the Medieval and Early Modern Periods
Princeton Medieval Studies Graduate Student Conference, April 20, 2018
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Michael Bailey
In an age when authorities attempt to assault our modern modes of critical thinking, the term “superstition” and its premodern associations take on rearranged values. Current political discourse denounces fake news and climate change as humbug with a zeal not unlike that of medieval and early modern establishments censuring false prophets and fallacious astrologers. Given these similarities, the classic narrative of a medieval society emerging into a modern one, “the disenchantment of the world” (Max Weber), urgently needs reappraisal. This conference proposes the examination of a wide range of evidence in various genres over time in order to foster this dialogue. In returning to the original meaning of “superstition” as an excessive fearfulness or belief, or a misapprehended and abused knowledge of a supernatural subject, how can we refine our understanding of superstition and magic in the premodern world? How can we make the overlaps between science, superstition, and magic productive?
We invite interdisciplinary submissions on diverse topics related to medieval and early modern superstition and magic. Some themes of the conference include, but are not limited to:
In order to support participation by speakers from outside the northeastern United States, we are offering limited subsidies to help offset the cost of travel to Princeton. Financial assistance may not be available for every participant, with funding priority going to those who have the farthest to travel. Speakers will have the option of staying with a resident graduate student to defray their expenses.
Interested graduate students should submit abstracts of no more than 500 words to Sonja Andersen and Jonathan Martin at superstition2018@gmail.com by February 15, 2018.
All applicants will be notified about their submissions by February 24, 2018. Presentations should be no longer than 20 minutes.
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Michael Bailey
In an age when authorities attempt to assault our modern modes of critical thinking, the term “superstition” and its premodern associations take on rearranged values. Current political discourse denounces fake news and climate change as humbug with a zeal not unlike that of medieval and early modern establishments censuring false prophets and fallacious astrologers. Given these similarities, the classic narrative of a medieval society emerging into a modern one, “the disenchantment of the world” (Max Weber), urgently needs reappraisal. This conference proposes the examination of a wide range of evidence in various genres over time in order to foster this dialogue. In returning to the original meaning of “superstition” as an excessive fearfulness or belief, or a misapprehended and abused knowledge of a supernatural subject, how can we refine our understanding of superstition and magic in the premodern world? How can we make the overlaps between science, superstition, and magic productive?
We invite interdisciplinary submissions on diverse topics related to medieval and early modern superstition and magic. Some themes of the conference include, but are not limited to:
- Control and influence exerted by the Church and universities
- The historical development of demonology
- The Witch Crisis: gender and authority
- Elite vs. folk magic; paganism and popular religion
- Heresy and superstition
- Depiction of magical elements in literature and visual culture
- The impact of various religious reform movements, including the Reformation and Counterreformation, on belief, magic, and ritual
- Music and metaphysics
- Oaths, incantations, and spells: the power of words
- Natural philosophy: astrology, alchemy, medical practices, etc.
- Material history and archaeology
- Co-mingling of Eastern and Western traditions; book magic; Kabbalah
- Esoteric belief systems and the rise of secret societies
- The law: ordeals, witch-hunts, and policing of superstitious practices
In order to support participation by speakers from outside the northeastern United States, we are offering limited subsidies to help offset the cost of travel to Princeton. Financial assistance may not be available for every participant, with funding priority going to those who have the farthest to travel. Speakers will have the option of staying with a resident graduate student to defray their expenses.
Interested graduate students should submit abstracts of no more than 500 words to Sonja Andersen and Jonathan Martin at superstition2018@gmail.com by February 15, 2018.
All applicants will be notified about their submissions by February 24, 2018. Presentations should be no longer than 20 minutes.
CALL FOR PAPERS: Scientiae 2017 - Extended Deadline
Proposals are invited for the sixth annual Scientiae conference on disciplines of knowing in the early modern world (roughly 1400-1800), which will take place at the University of Padua, 19-22 April 2017. Our Keynote Speakers will be Paula Findlen (Stanford), Claire Preston (QM London), and Antonio Clericuzio (Roma Tre).
The major premise of this conference series is that knowledge during this period was inherently interdisciplinary, involving complex mixtures of theories, practices and objects, which had yet to be separated into their modern ‘scientific’ configurations. Although centred on attempts to understand and control the natural world, Scientiae addresses natural philosophy, natural history, and the scientiae mixtae within a wide range of related fields, including but not restricted to Biblical exegesis, medicine, artisan practice and theory, logic, humanism, alchemy, magic, witchcraft, demonology, divinatory practices, astronomy, astrology, music, antiquarianism, experimentation and commerce.
This year attention is especially given to the history of early modern knowledge and erudition, the history of universities, particularly though not exclusively the history of the university of Padua, as well as the history of the book and the history of political thought.
In addition to individual papers, we seek panel proposals about, though not exclusively:
Please email your 250-word abstract, together with a one-page CV to Scientiae Padua
EXTENDED DEADLINE: 15 January 2017 – Accepted speakers will be notified on 22 January
The deadline for abstract submission is 15 January 2017. We shall be notifying the selection outcome by 22 January.
The major premise of this conference series is that knowledge during this period was inherently interdisciplinary, involving complex mixtures of theories, practices and objects, which had yet to be separated into their modern ‘scientific’ configurations. Although centred on attempts to understand and control the natural world, Scientiae addresses natural philosophy, natural history, and the scientiae mixtae within a wide range of related fields, including but not restricted to Biblical exegesis, medicine, artisan practice and theory, logic, humanism, alchemy, magic, witchcraft, demonology, divinatory practices, astronomy, astrology, music, antiquarianism, experimentation and commerce.
This year attention is especially given to the history of early modern knowledge and erudition, the history of universities, particularly though not exclusively the history of the university of Padua, as well as the history of the book and the history of political thought.
In addition to individual papers, we seek panel proposals about, though not exclusively:
- Teaching with Collections
- The Enlightenment
- The Republic of Letters
- Early Modern Universities and Amateur Knowledge
- Venice-Vienna-Costantinople-Moscow: The Other Early Modern Europe
Please email your 250-word abstract, together with a one-page CV to Scientiae Padua
EXTENDED DEADLINE: 15 January 2017 – Accepted speakers will be notified on 22 January
The deadline for abstract submission is 15 January 2017. We shall be notifying the selection outcome by 22 January.
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS: Preternature: Critical and Historical Studies on the Preternatural
"Preternature: Critical and Historical Studies on the Preternatural" an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal published biannually by Penn State Press, actively seeks submissions of articles and will consider proposals for special themed issues, subject to review.
"Preternature" provides an interdisciplinary, inclusive forum for the study of topics that stand in the liminal space between the known world and the inexplicable across cultures and historical periods. The journal embraces a broad and dynamic definition of the preternatural that encompasses the weird and uncanny-magic, witchcraft, spiritualism, occultism, esotericism, demonology, monstrophy, and more, recognizing that the areas of magic, religion, and science are fluid and that their intersections should continue to be explored, contextualized, and challenged.
Visit the journal website at:
https://www.editorialmanager.com/preternature/default.aspx
Or contact the editor, Debbie Felton (Classics, Univ. of Mass), felton@classics.umass.edu for further details.
"Preternature" provides an interdisciplinary, inclusive forum for the study of topics that stand in the liminal space between the known world and the inexplicable across cultures and historical periods. The journal embraces a broad and dynamic definition of the preternatural that encompasses the weird and uncanny-magic, witchcraft, spiritualism, occultism, esotericism, demonology, monstrophy, and more, recognizing that the areas of magic, religion, and science are fluid and that their intersections should continue to be explored, contextualized, and challenged.
Visit the journal website at:
https://www.editorialmanager.com/preternature/default.aspx
Or contact the editor, Debbie Felton (Classics, Univ. of Mass), felton@classics.umass.edu for further details.
CALL FOR PAPERS: Shadows of the Mind: Discourses of Superstition and Nature in the Early Modern World
Special Issue of Preternature
Extended Deadline: 1 March 2014
The advent of novel approaches in early modernity to understanding and mastering nature—from natural magic, to natural history, to natural philosophy—motivated discourse about how best to distill true knowledge (vera scientia) from an increasing body of claims about the natural world. The need to develop a language with which to frame this discourse naturally led magicians, alchemists, historians, and philosophers to turn to that facet of society which already possessed the terminology necessary to deal with epistemological deviation; namely, the Christian religion. The adoption of traditionally religious terms such as “idol,” “vanity,” and “superstition” by investigators of nature afforded the opportunity to differentiate claims to true knowledge, at the same time as it facilitated virulent attacks between rival cultures of knowledge. Beyond the merely rhetorical, though, this process of adoption began to shift the established semantic landscape of early modernity. The very act of employing such religious terms within the context of the inquiry into nature infused them with new meanings; meanings which contributed, in turn, to the myriad new ways in which Europeans began to view both themselves and the world around them. Of particular importance was the notion of “superstition” (superstitio). More than many other terms, the meaning of superstition began an extensive transformation from its traditional sense of incorrect beliefs within the sphere of religion to incorrect beliefs within the sphere of nature. Discourses of superstition entered into numerous debates about the study of nature: they contributed to the development of definable relationships between the natural and the preternatural, for instance; helped to map new models of the mind and legitimize the practitioners of new, naturalistic vocations; and underwrote emergent ideas of “progress,” “advancement,” and “enlightenment” in tandem with beliefs about the nature of the (preter)natural.
This special issue of Preternature seeks papers which address shifting conceptualizations of “superstition” as it relates to both the natural and preternatural in the early modern period. Papers should examine the ways in which various discourses of superstition contributed to the emergence of new cultures of natural and preternatural knowledge, thereby helping to shape the early modern world.
Topics might include, but are not limited to:
Final papers will be due 1 March 2014. Submissions should be made through the journal's online submission module at: www.preternature.org.
Contributions should usually be 8,000 - 12,000 words, including all documentation and critical apparatus. However, exceptions can be made in certain circumstances. If accepted for publication, manuscripts will be required to adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition (style 1, employing footnotes).
For more information, please contact James A.T. Lancaster (james.lancaster@postgrad.sas.ac.uk).
James A.T. Lancaster
H.B.A. (Toronto), M.A. (Toronto), PhD Candidate (Warburg)
The Warburg Institute, School of Advanced Studies
University of London
james.lancaster@postgrad.sas.ac.uk
Extended Deadline: 1 March 2014
The advent of novel approaches in early modernity to understanding and mastering nature—from natural magic, to natural history, to natural philosophy—motivated discourse about how best to distill true knowledge (vera scientia) from an increasing body of claims about the natural world. The need to develop a language with which to frame this discourse naturally led magicians, alchemists, historians, and philosophers to turn to that facet of society which already possessed the terminology necessary to deal with epistemological deviation; namely, the Christian religion. The adoption of traditionally religious terms such as “idol,” “vanity,” and “superstition” by investigators of nature afforded the opportunity to differentiate claims to true knowledge, at the same time as it facilitated virulent attacks between rival cultures of knowledge. Beyond the merely rhetorical, though, this process of adoption began to shift the established semantic landscape of early modernity. The very act of employing such religious terms within the context of the inquiry into nature infused them with new meanings; meanings which contributed, in turn, to the myriad new ways in which Europeans began to view both themselves and the world around them. Of particular importance was the notion of “superstition” (superstitio). More than many other terms, the meaning of superstition began an extensive transformation from its traditional sense of incorrect beliefs within the sphere of religion to incorrect beliefs within the sphere of nature. Discourses of superstition entered into numerous debates about the study of nature: they contributed to the development of definable relationships between the natural and the preternatural, for instance; helped to map new models of the mind and legitimize the practitioners of new, naturalistic vocations; and underwrote emergent ideas of “progress,” “advancement,” and “enlightenment” in tandem with beliefs about the nature of the (preter)natural.
This special issue of Preternature seeks papers which address shifting conceptualizations of “superstition” as it relates to both the natural and preternatural in the early modern period. Papers should examine the ways in which various discourses of superstition contributed to the emergence of new cultures of natural and preternatural knowledge, thereby helping to shape the early modern world.
Topics might include, but are not limited to:
- The various ways in which the study of nature came to be conceived as a remedy for the apparent spread of superstition in the post-Reformation period.
- How the concept of superstition was altered by emerging definitions of “true” and “false” knowledge with regards to the natural world.
- How the idea of superstition contributed to the creation of a definable relationship between the natural world and the preternatural.
- Whether new ways of thinking about nature ultimately led to the trivialization of superstition and superstitions.
- The use of discourses of superstition in defense of natural magic, demonology, witchcraft, and the occult, etc.
- The relationship between ideas of “progress,” “advancement,” “enlightenment” and superstition in early modern cultures of knowledge.
Final papers will be due 1 March 2014. Submissions should be made through the journal's online submission module at: www.preternature.org.
Contributions should usually be 8,000 - 12,000 words, including all documentation and critical apparatus. However, exceptions can be made in certain circumstances. If accepted for publication, manuscripts will be required to adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition (style 1, employing footnotes).
For more information, please contact James A.T. Lancaster (james.lancaster@postgrad.sas.ac.uk).
James A.T. Lancaster
H.B.A. (Toronto), M.A. (Toronto), PhD Candidate (Warburg)
The Warburg Institute, School of Advanced Studies
University of London
james.lancaster@postgrad.sas.ac.uk
Call For Papers: Preternature Volume 3:1 The Early Modern Witch (1450-1700)
The publication of early witchcraft texts created witches by creating controversy about them. Witch-dramas, pamphlets, testimonies about witch-encounters, sermons, and accounts of trials published the anxieties, recounted the long standing suspicions, and sensationalised the physical manifestations that made women into witches. Sometimes accompanied by woodcuts, many texts insisted on the reality, materiality, and immediacy of witches and their familiars. In these, the early modern witch was represented as both a perpetrator of violence and the victim of it. The early modern witch is a fascinating enigma: a legal entity and a neighbourhood resource or nuisance, she purportedly engaged in natural and supernatural forms of wisdom with the potential to heal or harm others, or even herself. The words she spoke, mumbled could become malefic by intent, if not by content. According to the sensationalist constructions of witchcraft, her body was contaminated by the magics she used: she fed familiars with blood, grew spare parts, could not weep, and would not sink. In accounts focused on bewitchment and possessions, the witch vomited pins or personified pollution and a culturally legitimate cunning-person such as a physician or minister or exorcist acted as curative. Despite the skepticism about witches that followed Reginald Scot’s assertions and the decline of legal examinations trials, the early modern witch has remained a vital force in the cultural imagination. Witchcraft remain the focus of academic articles, scholarly volumes, digital resources, archaeological digs, children's and teenage fiction, popular media and museum studies.
This issue of Preternature, in association with the “Capturing Witches” conference, invites contributions from any discipline that highlight the cultural, literary, religious, or historical significance of the early modern witch. Contributions should be roughly 8,000 - 12,000 words, including all documentation and critical apparatus, and adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition (style 1, employing endnotes).
Contributions must be submitted through the Preternature CMS. Deadline for final submissions is November 30, 2012.
Queries about journal scope and submissions can be made to the Editor, Dr. Kirsten C. Uszkalo. Queries concerning books to be reviewed can be made to the Book Reviews Editor, Dr. Richard Raiswell.
Queries concerning this special volume can be sent to Professor Alison Findlay (a.g.findlay@lancaster.ac.uk) and Dr. Liz Oakley-Brown (e.oakley-brown@lancaster.ac.uk).
Full journal style guides are available at http://preternature.org. Information on the early English witch can be found at the WEME project at http://witching.org.
Details on the “Capturing Witches” conference can be found at http://www.transculturalwriting.com/?page_id=1535
Preternature is a bi-annual publication, published through Penn State Press, and available in print or electronically through JSTOR, Project Muse, and as a Kindle e- book.
This issue of Preternature, in association with the “Capturing Witches” conference, invites contributions from any discipline that highlight the cultural, literary, religious, or historical significance of the early modern witch. Contributions should be roughly 8,000 - 12,000 words, including all documentation and critical apparatus, and adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition (style 1, employing endnotes).
Contributions must be submitted through the Preternature CMS. Deadline for final submissions is November 30, 2012.
Queries about journal scope and submissions can be made to the Editor, Dr. Kirsten C. Uszkalo. Queries concerning books to be reviewed can be made to the Book Reviews Editor, Dr. Richard Raiswell.
Queries concerning this special volume can be sent to Professor Alison Findlay (a.g.findlay@lancaster.ac.uk) and Dr. Liz Oakley-Brown (e.oakley-brown@lancaster.ac.uk).
Full journal style guides are available at http://preternature.org. Information on the early English witch can be found at the WEME project at http://witching.org.
Details on the “Capturing Witches” conference can be found at http://www.transculturalwriting.com/?page_id=1535
Preternature is a bi-annual publication, published through Penn State Press, and available in print or electronically through JSTOR, Project Muse, and as a Kindle e- book.
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