Comparative Studies in Religion Unit

We invite papers on the topics below. Submissions for panels or roundtables not listed here are also welcome.

Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism

Following the 2023 session on Islamophobia, and the recent escalation and intensification of global antisemitism, this session will provide a forum for disseminating historical and contemporary scholarship on these types of hatred and bigotries engendering a comparative and dialogical conversation. (Please contact Roberta Sabbath, roberta.sabbath@unlv.edu)  

“Translatability” of Religions

How are religious systems “translated” into new cultural settings? Under what conditions are religious practices “translated” into cultures, and under what circumstances might they “resist” change? This call seeks proposals for comparisons regarding how religions adapt to or otherwise confront new cultural settings. (Please contact Tom Seat, thomas.seatii@shu.edu) 

Disability and Religious Diversity

The conceptualization of “ablebodiedness” or “disabilities” often shifts between different cultural contexts. This panel seeks to compare how these concepts are portrayed in different texts, rituals, and traditions. In doing so, it explores how “disabilities” may function as a comparative category in the study of religion. (Please contact David Schones, dschones@austincollege.edu) 

Serpents, Dragons, and Eagles Narratives: Religious Convergence or Competition? 

The nagas, Indian mythological serpent beings, and their Tibetan and Chinese (lu, jiao, and long), often appear in stories, performances and images about their eternal conflict with the Garuda birds.  On the other hand, the Hindu god Vishnu, the Buddha, and the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara act as mediators in this conflict, bringing both sides together. This panel will explore how these non-human figures reflect religious convergence and conflict in Asia. (Please contact Gerrit Lange, langeg@staff.uni-marburg.de; and Ivette Vargas-O'Bryan, ivargas@austincollege.edu) 

Comparative Pluralisms 

Not all pluralistic societies are the same. This panel will compare different models and expressions of religious pluralism from any historical time period or geographic region using any appropriate disciplinary methods or approaches. Papers with individual case studies should highlight their potential for a comparative discussion. (Please contact Eric Huntington, erhuntington@gmail.com) 

Roundtable: Comparison, Empathy, and Second-Order Reflection in Postsecondary RLST Pedagogy

How can we use the tools of disciplined comparison to make our courses more effective, engaging, and meaningful to contemporary students? This roundtable will consider ways that comparison can be used to provide focused, meaningful learning experiences in response to the challenges posed by AI chatbots, student disaffection, and the ever-increasing corporatization of post-secondary education. (Please contact Chris Jensen, christopher.jensen@carleton.ca)