Religion and Gender: Online Journal for the Systematic Study of Religion and Gender in an Interdisciplinary Perspective
Forthcoming Issue: Gender and Religiosity in Multicultural Societies
Editors: Chia Longman (Ghent University), Eva Midden (Utrecht University) Guest Editor: Anne Sofie Roald (Chr. Michelsen Institute)
For a forthcoming issue of the newly launched journal Religion and Gender we invite contributions, either theoretically or empirically oriented, and from various disciplinary perspectives that address the complex and dynamic relationship between religion and gender in contexts of increased cultural diversity that characterize contemporary societies throughout the world today. We wish to bring together articles offering insights from recent developments and new research at the intersection of gender, religion and ‘multiculturalism’ or ‘multiculturality’ of which the results are hereto often published quite independently due to disciplinary divides.
Whereas the term ‘multiculturalism’ can denote many meanings, here it is envisaged in a general and descriptive sense for the empirical reality of ethnical, cultural and religious diversity of individual identities, groups and communities within and across locations and geographical and political boundaries such as urban/rural, nation-state, North-South/East- West, etc. We wish to question what impact the fact of culturally diverse people either living together in close proximity or in interaction with each other through transnational mobility and virtual communication has on constructions, expressions and experiences of religion from a gendered perspective. Which are the tensions, yet also the forms of agency and creativity, that can be ascertained and imagined in the relationship between gender differences and (in)equalities and religious orthodoxies and their reinterpretation? And, can new modes of religiosity and spirituality arise from the meeting of people from different cultural backgrounds?
We propose that contributions may wish to address the following questions but are by no means limited to them:
* How does migration, cultural and/or geographic dislocation and/or majority/minority experience differentially impact the religious lives of women and men? What are the conditions under which patterns of gender traditionalism and conservatism arise and how can these be assessed from a non-racist gender critical perspective? Where is there space for reinterpretations of religious tradition in more gender progressive modes, or how can religious ‘agency’ for women, men, and other gender and sexual identities be identified and theorized?
* How are religious and spiritual ideologies and imaginaries sustained, challenged or transformed in the face of globalization and increased intercultural and transcultural interaction and exchange?
* How do both authoritative and alternative forms of religious practice and expression that emanate from ‘global flows’ and cross-cultural travelling influence the power relations between women and men in relation to non-religious dominant and alternative ideologies of gender?
* What is the role of gender in contemporary theories and practices of interreligious dialogue and communication, including secular voices, at both local grassroots levels and at representative institutional fora?
* How does diversity within the gendered individual impact religious experience and identity, such as in new forms of hybrid identity and transreligiosity?
* What are the consequences and challenges of the new ‘postsecular turn in feminism’ for reconceptualizing the relationship between gender and religion in multicultural contexts?
Papers are welcome of 6000-8000 words (excluding footnotes and references) and shorter papers of 3000-4000 words in which the authors present their views on one specific issue.
Enquiries:
Eva Midden: E.Midden@uu.nl
Chia Longman: chia.longman@ugent.be
Papers should be submitted by 1st February 2011 and emailed in Word attachment to:
Nella van den Brandt: hendrikapetronella.vandenbrandt@ugent.be
Eva Midden: E.Midden@uu.nl
The Scope and Focus of Religion and Gender
Religion and Gender is the first online international journal for the systematic study of gender and religion in an interdisciplinary perspective. The journal explores the relation, confrontation and intersection of gender and religion, taking into account the multiple and changing manifestations of religion in diverse social and cultural contexts. It analyses and reflects critically on gender in its interpretative and imaginative dimensions and as a fundamental principle of social ordering. It seeks to investigate gender at the intersection of feminist, sexuality, queer, masculinity and diversity studies. As an academic journal, Religion and Gender aims to publish high level contributions from the humanities and from qualitative and conceptual studies in the social sciences. It wants to focus in particular on contemporary debates and topics of emerging interest. Albeit international in scope, the journal takes seriously that it is situated in contemporary Europe. It seeks to reflect on this position, particularly from postmodern, postcolonial, and post secular perspectives.
More information here.
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