Contemporary Pagan Studies Unit
Contemporary Pagan Studies is an interdisciplinary Unit, and we welcome submissions of theoretically and analytically engaged papers and panels relating to modern Paganism, Witchcraft, Magic, and Polytheism, employing scholarly analysis to discuss the topics presented from any relevant methodology or theoretical orientation.
The Steering Committee is particularly interested in two sets of proposals :
- Proposals that engage the AAR Presidential theme on Future(s), especially in relationship to magic and/or religious technologies such as divination or associated material culture.
- Proposals that engage Paganism, Politics and Popular Culture whether in an American or global context. The current religious/political media milieu in both the US and the UK finds "paganism" again erupting as a categorical way to represent various forms of governmental and anti-governmental ideology. Tropes of civilizational decline and danger predominate in these discourses that engage contemporary concepts of church and state against ideas of 'primitivism' or ancient pre-democratic rule or even current global political strategies. Pagan religious individuals are engaging and seeking to shape and challenge such narratives, as others have historically done with such labeling.
The Contemporary Pagan Studies Unit provides a place for scholars interested in pursuing research in this newly developing and interdisciplinary field and puts them in direct communication with one another in the context of a professional meeting. New scholars are welcomed and supported, while existing scholars are challenged to improve their work and deepen the level of conversation. By liaising with other AAR Program Units, the Unit creates opportunities to examine the place of Pagan religions and discourses/practices labeled "Pagan/pagan" both historically and within contemporary societies. The CPS unit seeks to examine how other religions may intersect with these dynamic and mutable religious communities and discourses.
| Chair | Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Chase, Iowa State University | cwc@iastate.edu | - | View |
| Giovanna Parmigiani | giovanna.parmigiani… | - | View |