Call ESSHC 2020.docx

Call for Papers / Call for Session Organisers European Social Science History Conference 2020 Network Religion Leiden, The Netherlands Wednesday 18 - Saturday 21 March 2020 Deadline 15 April 2019 The ESSHC aims to bring together scholars interested in explaining historical phenomena using interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the past. The conference is characterized by a lively exchange in many small groups, rather than by formal plenary sessions. It is organized in a large number of networks that cover a certain theme, one of these being Religion. As religions and spiritualities have inspired and motivated the lives and acting of millions everywhere on this planet, and continue to do so, the religion network discusses all forms of spiritual beliefs and behaviour as well as practices inspired by ideologies explicitly acting against expressions of religious or spiritual engagement. In this perspective we want to create crossovers and exchanges that cut through traditional divisions between disciplines, denominations, periods and regions. Hence we call upon you to formulate proposals for individual papers, panels (consisting of four speakers from different countries who will each present a paper on a related topic, a discussant and a chair), roundtables (more oriented to discussion than the formal presentation of panels) and 'meet the author' sessions. They can deal with any historical era and any religious expression or denomination, in Europe or elsewhere. We particularly welcome comparative and transnational approaches. Please, do not hesitate to formulate bold proposals, and do not hold back from suggesting ‘incomplete’ sessions of only two presentations. Just to help you to formulate your thoughts but without any intention of limitation, we would particularly welcome paper and session proposals on: The question how the historiography and historical theory of religion responded to the challenges of globalisation Definitions and interpretations of secularism in different contexts (Representations of) History of religion in education (formal and informal, incl. in museums) The way religions and secular ideologies interact in plural societies Religions as source of conflict or appeasement, war or peace (incl. the role of religions in and after wars) The impact of religion or secularism on international policies and politics (including the EU and its predecessors) Uses of religious history in political speech Cultures of mission and proselytization Secularization and re-enchantment Secularism as religion Religion and migration; religious interactions with, between and within migrant communities Gender and religion Cultures of martyrdom Religion and material culture Religion and non-textual evidence: viewing, listening, touching and performing Religious asceticism, food cultures, ‘Secular spiritual’ practices: yoga, meditation, healing, food cultures As 2020 is Mayflower year, a lot of activities are planned in Leiden to remember the Pilgrims in the Dutch Republic and their significance in America. In this perspective we intend to pay particular attention to the Pilgrims and their significance, including their historical representation. Related to this we intend to broaden the discussion to include sessions and activities related to the globalization of Christianity and to the (contentious) relationship between religion, pluralism and democracy. The deadline for proposals is 15 April 2019. The ESSHC has also established the Professor Jan Lucassen Award, a prize for the best paper at the ESSHC by a PhD student. For modalities see: https://esshc.socialhistory.org/award The European Social Science History Conference is organized by the International Institute of Social History. For details see: https://esshc.socialhistory.org/ One copy of the paper or panel proposal should be sent to the conference secretariat and one copy to each of the co-chairs of the network: Professor Patrick Pasture, MoSa - Department of History, KU Leuven (Belgium) e-mail: Patrick.pasture@kuleuven.be Dr. Silvia Evangelisti, School of History, University of East Anglia (UK) e-mail: s.evangelisti@uea.ac.uk Further information and an electronic pre-registration form for the Conference can be obtained from the Conference Internet site at http://www.iisg.nl/esshc or from the conference secretariat: ehi@esshc.eu ESSHC Conference Secretariat c/o International Institute of Social History Cruquiusweg 31 P.O. Box 2169 1000 CD Amsterdam the Netherlands tel: + 31 20 66 858 66 e-mail: esshc@iisg.nl