CFP: 2022 Sewanee Medieval Colloquium

After more than a year of distancing, the Sewanee Medieval Colloquium is pleased to announce their theme, "Contact|Touch," for the 47th Colloquium, which will take place in-person, April 8-9, 2022, on the campus of the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. We encourage proposals for paper and subthemes from all medieval disciplines and geographic areas. Topics include (but are not limited to) contact between cultures, disciplines, or languages, philosophical and medical approaches to sensation, healing or holy touch, the practice of sculpture, epistolary form, the relationship of touch and sound or music, explorations of erotic or sexual touch, and the experience of relics and holy objects. These are just suggestions, however; the Colloquium will happily consider any proposal that deals broadly with the theme.

 

Plenary Speakers

• Hussein Fancy, Department of History, Yale University
• Elina Gertsman, Department of Art and Art History, Case Western Reserve University

 

Proposals for papers can touch upon any aspect of the general theme, and we encourage proposals from medievalists of any discipline and any geographic area. Scholars can apply to the general call, or to specific sub-themes (which will be posted in August). We accept proposals from anyone either with a Ph.D. or in the process of gaining a doctorate. Paper should be submitted through our website or via email (medievalcolloquium@sewanee.edu) by November 1, 2021.

 

The sub-themes address a particular aspect of our general theme, and could be the basis for either one or two panels. As a rule of thumb, panel themes should be broad enough to encourage numerous applicants, and interdisciplinary proposals are particularly encouraged. If a panel theme is accepted, organizers will be responsible for selecting participants (from abstracts submitted through the website by November 1 2021) and choosing a commenter (a well-established expert in the field) to respond to the papers at the panel session. 

 

Sub-theme proposals should include a description/rationale of the panel theme, a list of possible commenters (organizers may serve as commenters, but not as panelists), and the CVs of the organizers. Panel proposals are due July 30, 2021. Commenters are generally established figures in the field with a significant record of publication; participants in the Colloquium are generally limited to holders of a Ph.D. and those currently in a Ph.D. program.

 

The 2022 Colloquium will be meeting in person, but we are currently exploring robust options for remote attendance. This will depend upon the availability of the University of the South’s hybrid classrooms. We will announce the possibility of remote attendance as soon as possible. However, the Colloquium has funding available for those without or with limited funds for travel; if you wish to attend the Colloquium in person, but are concerned about cost, please consult our page on financial aid. The Colloquium is grateful for the generous support of many scholars who have made significant financial contributions to our financial aid program.

 

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