Call For Papers

McGill Institute of Islamic Studies Graduate Student Symposium

Call for Papers: “Evolving Perceptions of Islamic Studies”

Symposium dates: April 29-30^th, 2015

Extended Abstract deadline: February 20th, 2015

McGill University’s Institute of Islamic Studies Student Council (MIISSC) invites abstracts for scholarly papers to be presented at its Fifth Annual Graduate Symposium to be held on April 29^th and 30^th, 2015 (Wednesday and Thursday). The field of Islamic studies is diverse, incorporating a range of different approaches and engaging a variety of unique perspectives, in both the academic and non-academic worlds. This symposium will focus on students’ original academic work that studies and analyzes the changing role Islamic studies plays in the world through the eyes of those who:

• Study – Academics in both the West and the Muslim World

• Live – Muslims across the world

• Impact – Activists, policy makers, and game changers

• Observe – The wider non-Muslim, non-academic community

We invite papers from a variety of disciplines to discuss the above perspectives and how they interact with the wider understanding of Islamic studies. These include but are not limited to Islamic law, anthropology, history, philosophy, literature, art, political science, sociology, theology/religious studies, Islam and the sciences, language and linguistics, and women’s studies.

Potential questions include: What is the basis for the study of Islam in the modern period and how does this differ from the pre-modern and formative periods of Islam? What are the insider and outsider approaches to the study of Islam? How has gender played a role in the shaping or evolution of the field? How are Muslims responding to the study of Islam? How is the study of Islam linked to Muslims? What does history tell us about the field? What role has arts and crafts played in shaping Islamic history? Why has the study of Islamic law been so dominant in the field? What are the approaches to the study of terrorism and Islam?

Students can research these or other topics in the field through a historical or contemporary study of Islam. At the end of the two-day event, the symposium will close with a roundtable discussion exploring the issues raised throughout, highlighting the overall theme. Students will be able to ponder upon wider questions regarding the study of Islam and why such studies continue to be relevant in a contemporary academic context.

DEADLINE: Please submit a formal abstract (250-300 words) and CV no later than Monday February 20, 2015 by email to miisscsymposium@gmail.com. Submissions should also include the following information in the body of the email: name, program (M.A, Ph.D.), year of study, research focus, university/department, email address, title of paper, and audio-visual requirements. Presentations must not exceed 15 minutes. Presenters will be informed of their acceptance by Friday February 27, 2015. Proposals for panels are also welcome. Note: Limited funding may be available on request for travel assistance.