Archive for 2020
Shii News – ‘Dynamics in London’s Shi’i Triangle’ – E. Corboz
Shi’i clerical networks and the transnational contest over …: Ingenta Connect
This article explores the transnational contest over sacred authority in contemporary Shi’i Islam as it plays out between contemporary maraji’ (sources of emulation) and the Iranian Supreme Leader, and in practice between their respective networks.
- March 30, 2020
- by Andrew Newman
- 0 Comment
Shii News – Academic Items
1.Announcement of publication by Brill, Leiden of two new volumes in the Maimonides Medical Works Series.
This is vol. 15 containing Nathan ha-Me’ati’s Hebrew translation of Maimonides’ Medical Aphorisms, and vol. 16 with an edition of the Hebrew translation of the same work by Zerahyah Hen. Both translators were active in the city of Rome in the late 13th century. An Arabic-Hebrew-English glossary to the Medical Aphorisms with indices to its Hebrew translations will be part of vol. 17, the final volume in the series. This volume will be published in the course of this year.
sites.google.com/site/gerritbos1
https://academia.edu/GerritBos
2. Brill: COVID-19 and coronavirus-related publications immediately accessible
More than 30 leading STM publishers have committed to making all of their COVID-19 and coronavirus-related publications immediately accessible.
At Brill we have opened up books and articles on topics such as public health, distance learning, crisis research.
If any new related content is published with us, it will be added to this collection.
Access at: https://www2.brill.com/COVID-19_Collection
3. Arts of the Islamic World : From the Dome of the Rock to the Taj Mahal, the Coronation Mantle, the Ardabil Carpet, and more… c. 640 – 1924 C.E.
Published by: Smarthistory
“Smarthistory is an open educational resource for art history, with the aim to make high-quality introductory art history content freely available to anyone, anywhere. This is a platform for the discipline where art historians can contribute in their areas of expertise and learners come from across the globe. Besides still images, the resource also offers hundreds of videos which are being translated into dozens of languages. Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker originally created Smarthistory and are the executive editors. The original resource was merged with Khan Academy in 2011.”
4. BRISMES 2020 CONFERENCE POSTPONED
‘In light of the rapidly-evolving public health situation connected to the COVID-19 outbreak, the BRISMES Annual Conference (29 June – 1 July 2020) has been postponed until 2021. We will announce details of the postponed conference in due course and we will update the conference website accordingly.’
See: http://www.brismes.ac.uk/conference/postponed-brismes/
5. Due to Harvard University’s recent decisions regarding on-campus events (related to Coronavirus COVID-19), the March 31, April 2 and April 23 AKPIA lectures have been postponed until further notice. https://agakhan.fas.harvard.edu/news-events
- March 28, 2020
- by Andrew Newman
- 0 Comment
Shii News – Black Death and Iranian Trade (1340s-1450s A.D.) – F. Fazlinejad et al
The Impact of the Black Death on Iranian Trade (1340s-1450s A.D.)
The Great Plague, generally known as the Black Death, swept many parts of the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe in the mid-14th century repeatedly for decades and inflicted widespread demographical, social and economic consequences.
- March 25, 2020
- by Andrew Newman
- 0 Comment
Shii News – COVID-19 Exacerbates Sectarian Tensions – T. Matthiesen
The Coronavirus Is Exacerbating Sectarian Tensions in the Middle East
The novel coronavirus is advancing across the Middle East, straining frail public health services and exacerbating preexisting political and sectarian tensions, both within states and between regional rivals.
- March 24, 2020
- by Andrew Newman
- 0 Comment
Shii News – Academic Items
[Editor’s note: I will continue to circulate this ‘academic items’ list but please note that I am unable to know if any of the events listed or other items are going to happen, be postponed or even be cancelled. My advice is to check the website/email address(es) given for each. Stay healthy!]
1. LUCIS Summerschool on Philology and Manuscripts from the Muslim World
From August 24 to September 4, the Leiden University Centre for the Study of Islam and Society (LUCIS) will offer its fourth Summerschool on philology and manuscripts from the Muslim world, with lectures by experts, hands-on classes and much practice with manuscripts from its famous oriental collection. The course is meant for graduate students and researchers. For more information please go to https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/events/2020/08/lucis-summer-school-philology–manuscripts-from-the-muslim-world or send an e-mail to d.m.van.der.helm@hum.leidenuniv.nl .
The deadline for application is June 22.
2. Due to COVID-19 emergency some publishers are now offering free access to their content. These publishers offer significant amount on content for the study of Islam and the Middle East.
“Cambridge University Press is making higher education textbooks in HTML format free to access online during the coronavirus outbreak. Over 700 textbooks, published and currently available, on Cambridge Core are available regardless of whether textbooks were previously purchased.”
https://www.cambridge.org/core/what-we-publish/textbooks
[Update 3/19/2020 : Due to unprecedented demand and reported misuse publisher temporarily removed the free access to textbooks. They are working to address these concerns plan to reinstate free access as soon as possible.
“Project Muse: Free Resources on MUSE During COVID-19”
https://about.muse.jhu.edu/resources/freeresourcescovid19/
“Access to the digital Loeb Classical Library will be free to schools and universities impacted by COVID-19 until June 30th. From Harvard University Press International @HarvardUPLondon In these uncertain times, sometimes you need to look back at the classics.
Access to the digital Loeb Classical Library will be free to schools and universities impacted by COVID-19 until June 30th. Librarians: email loebclassics_sales@harvard.edu for access.
3. Interdisciplinary Colloquium for (Post)doctoral Students on “Postcolonial and Gender Studies”, University of Trier, 18-19 June 2020
The aim of the colloquium is to offer the young researchers who work in these two fields a platform for exchanging content and interdisciplinary networking.
4. 54th Seminar for Arabian Studies of the “International Association for the Study of Arabia (IASA)”, Casa Arabe, Cordoba, 15-18 July 2020
Information: https://mailchi.mp/3c625180ed77/seminar-for-arabian-studies-2020-call-for-papers-4803397?e=18cf0337f7
5. 21st Annual Conference of the Central Eurasian Studies Society (CESS), Ohio State University, Columbus, 15-18 October 2020
Papers are also welcome for Iran, Afghanistan and the Black Sea region.
Deadline for abstracts (extended): 30 April 2020.
Information: https://www.centraleurasia.org/conferences/annual/
6. International Seminar: “End-of-Life Care and the Islamic Moral Tradition”, Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE), Doha, 20-22 October 2020
This seminar aims to critically address the key EoLC ethical questions, by engaging a wide range of scholarly disciplines, including those within the field of Islamic studies (e.g., Theology, Philosophy, Jurisprudence & Legal Theory, Sufism, and Adab) in addition to other disciplines like social sciences and legal studies.
Deadline for abstracts: 15 April 2020. Information: https://www.cilecenter.org/resources/news/call-research-papers-end-life-care-eolc-and-islamic-moral-tradition
7. 4th Edinburgh International Graduate Conference in Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine Studies on “Catastrophes and Memory (500-1500 CE)”, 19-20 November 2020
This conference focuses on the problematic relations between catastrophes and memory in Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine societies. Memory plays a crucial role in the way events are perceived, understood and narrated by different groups and elites: locals might see the conquest of their city as a catastrophe, while the conquerors portray the same as glorious or divinely inspired.
Deadline for abstracts: 15 June 2020.
8. Research Assistant for Three-years Doctoral Research Project “The Historicity of Democracy in the Arab and Muslim World”, Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG), Mainz
Requirements: Master degree in History or a related discipline (Islamic Studies, Political Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology or a neighbouring discipline) with a focus on the modern history of the MENA; excellent command of Arabic, English, and German (for non-German speaking applicants: Certificate of sufficient German skills or a strategy to improve them).
Deadline for application: 17 April 2020. Information: http://bit.ly/2WpjO4U
9. Two CESS Awards for Books on the “History and the Humanities” and on “Social Sciences” in Central Asia, Including Iran, Afghanistan, Black Sea Region
Books must be scholarly monographs based on original research and published in English in 2019.
Deadline for nominations: 31 May 2020. Information: https://www.centraleurasia.org/awards/book/
10. Nominations for Various MESA Book Awards
Nominations can be made by the publisher or the author. Books must be non-fiction scholarly monographs based on original research published in English between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020. Authors need not be members of MESA. Winners for each of the awards receive $1000 and a certificate of award.
Deadline for nomination: 1 April 2020. Information: https://mesana.org/awards/category/mesa-book-awards/mesa-book-awards-nomination-guidelines
11. New Masters Program in “Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations”, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh
This is a year-long, taught Masters which offers a rich and broad study of the Islamic intellectual traditions of scripture, law, theology and philosophy in conversation with Christian thought, ethics and political theology.
Program Website: https://www.ed.ac.uk/divinity/graduate-school/taught-programmes/islam-christian-muslim-relations
12. 3rd Intensive Course “Ottoman Palaeography and Diplomatics”, Institute for Islamic Studies, University of Heidelberg, 28 September – 9 October 2020
The course will enable the participants to read, date, and contextualise Ottoman documents and other handwritten sources in a methodologically founded manner. The course will be held in German and is free of charge.
Applications deadline: 15 May 2020. Information: https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/fakultaeten/philosophie/ori/islamwissenschaft/sommerkurs.html
13. Articles on “The Politics of Religious Dissent (Focus on Islam)” for Special Issues of the “International Journal of Religion”
Three questions frame the topic in the special issue: How do religious leaders respond to dissent within their faiths? How does the state respond to religious dissent? How do religions react to dissent from feminist and gay activists?
Deadline for abstracts: 30 April 2020. Information: https://ijor.tplondon.com/index.php/ijor/announcement
14. Two New Resources by H-Net for Scholars Affected by the Coronavirus
A) “Resources for Teaching Online” is designed to be a space where we can share resources with each other about how to repurpose face-to-face course materials in an online format.
B) “Remote Conference Presentations” is a space created to give scholars an opportunity to share papers or presentations that were intended for now-canceled conferences.
Information: https://networks.h-net.org/node/73374/announcements/6020592/two-new-resources-scholars-affected-coronavirus
15. The Arab Studies Institute’s Open Access Resources for Teaching the Middle East
- March 24, 2020
- by Andrew Newman
- 0 Comment
Shii News – ‘A Now-Lost Safavid Pavilion and Its Figural Tile Panels’ – F. Emami
“All the City’s Courtesans: A Now-Lost Safavid Pavilion and Its Figural Tile Panels”: Metropolitan Museum Journal, v. 54 (2019) | MetPublications | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum Journal is issued annually and publishes original research on works of art in the Museum’s collection. Highlights of volume 54 include conservators’ discoveries of Renaissance sculptor Andrea della Robbia’s workshop techniques; a new reading of lavishly dressed women on tile panels from 17th-century Iran; and John Singer Sargent’s decisive role in choosing his socialite sitters’ fashionable attire.
- March 23, 2020
- by Andrew Newman
- 0 Comment
Shii News – ‘Sayyids and Shiʽi Islam in Pakistan’ – S. Fuchs
Legalised Pedigrees: Sayyids and Shiʽi Islam in Pakistan | Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society | Cambridge Core
Legalised Pedigrees: Sayyids and Shiʽi Islam in Pakistan – SIMON WOLFGANG FUCHS
- March 20, 2020
- by Andrew Newman
- 0 Comment
Shii News – Academic Items
[Editor’s note: In the context of COVID-19, I will continue to circulate this ‘academic items’ list but please note that I am unable to know if any of the time-sensitive items are going on, postponed or even cancelled. My advice is to check the website/email address(es) given for each. Stay healthy!]
1. Royal Holloway University of London’s Centre for Islamic & West Asian Studies, has introduced CIWAS Scholarships to provide financial assistance to MA in Islamic and West Asian Studies students.
The programme offers an understanding of the history and contemporary politics of Islam and West Asia (Middle East) and introduces a unique approach to exploring issues of contemporary significance.
For more information about the CIWAS Scholarships visit: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/postgraduate/scholarships/ciwas-scholarships/, or email ciwas@rhul.ac.uk
Deadline: 15 June 2020.
2. Editor-in-Chief of Iranian Studies: Journal of the Association for Iranian Studies
The Association for Iranian Studies (AIS) is looking for a new Editor-in-Chief for its flagship journal Iranian Studies: Journal of the Association for Iranian Studies. This interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal is dedicated to the study of all aspects of Iran and the Persianate world from the pre-Islamic period to the present. As the official publication of the Association for Iranian Studies, it has served as the leading forum for the exchange of ideas and promotion of discipline-based and interdisciplinary research in all fields of Iranian studies since 1967.
The Editor-in-Chief oversees the journal’s online peer review and editorial processes and gives strategic direction to the journal. As an officer of the Association for Iranian Studies, the Editor-in-Chief receives, annually, an honorarium of $4,000 USD, funding for up to two course releases, support for travel to the AIS biennial conference, and a $10,000 USD operating budget to support the editorial process with the expectation of additional support from the scholar’s home institution. The position is a five year appointment and renewable for a second term.
Applicants should be active and published scholars in fields covered by the journal; demonstrate an interest in, and ability to work with, a diverse team of editors and AIS council members; and build relationships with researchers in the field of Iranian Studies. Some previous editorial work and comfort with digital media is preferred. We especially welcome applications from tenured mid-career scholars and institutional applications from scholarly research centers. The disciplinary field and period of scholarly concentration of the Editor-in-Chief is open.
The deadline for applications is May 1, 2020. Applications will include a CV and a letter of application explaining your vision for the journal and the resources your home institution can provide to support your efforts for augmenting the operating budget. Please send application materials to James Gustafson (Chair, Search Committee) at james.gustafson@indstate.edu. Informal queries are welcome and encouraged.
3. Harvard Open Collections Program history of epidemics resource
Contagion: Historical Views of Diseases and Epidemics is a digital library collection that brings a unique set of resources from Harvard’s libraries to Internet users everywhere. Offering valuable insights to students of the history of medicine and to researchers seeking an historical context for current epidemiology, the collection contributes to the understanding of the global, social–history, and public–policy implications of disease. Contagion is also a unique social–history resource for students of many ages and disciplines.
https://web.archive.org/web/20100205181504/http://ocp.hul.harvard.edu:80/contagion/index.html
4. International Seminar: “Persian-Arabic Poetics and South Asian Literatures: Readings Recoveries and Re-orientations”, Comparative Literature Association of India, Patna, 20-23 March 2020
We look forward to a fruitful exchange of ideas that will unpack the relations between the mainstream and margins, great and little traditions, major and minor languages within South Asia. The very idea of the ‘literary’ here is open to question as the subject proposed covers both the written and the oral, the philosophical and religious, the narrative and the performative.
Information: https://networks.h-net.org/node/73374/announcements/5412876/international-seminar-be-organized-comparative-literature
5. Shi’i Studies Symposium: “‘But by the Love You Bear My Kin’: Devotion (Walāya) and Shiʿi Islam”, University of Chicago, 3-4 April 2020
This conference will be centred on the theme of walāya—the call of devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt that is at the core of Shiʿi beliefs. One unifying theme of the symposia of the past few years has been the institutional development of Shiʿi Islam, as we have considered the authority of the Imams, the development of centers of learning, Shiʿism and governance, and dynamics of sectarianism in Islam.
Information: https://voices.uchicago.edu/shiistudies/3-2/
6. Conference: “From Sectarianism to De-sectarianisation – Reimagining Sectarianism, Geopolitics and the State in the Contemporary Middle East”, Lancaster University, 16-17 April 2020
The conference will reflect on sectarianism, ‘proxies’, the struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and broader questions about identities, geopolitics, economics and social factors in the contemporary Middle East.
Information: https://www.sepad.org.uk/announcement/sepad-conference-2020-from-sectarianism-to-de-sectarianization
7. Graduate Student Workshop on “Religion, Law, and Politics in the Middle East”, Syracuse University, 23 April 2020
The workshop will address the historical and contemporary interactions between religious, legal and political institutions in the Middle East and North Africa region. Topics include state-religion relations, secularism, religious movements, religious law and courts, religious authority, social movements, political violence, democratization, political parties, gender, etc.
Information: https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/moynihan/mesp/Annual_Workshop/
8. Conference: “Christian-Muslim Missionary Encounters, Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries”, Mission and Modernity Research Academy (MiMoRA#3), Leuven, Belgium, 3-10 November 2020
Contributions are invited on: Reactions to Christian/Muslim missionary activities in the fields of education, literacy, health care, etc.; Space-settings of Christian/Muslim encounter-interaction; Muslim responses to (Western) Christian missions; The agency of Islamic activism in transforming the practices and thinking of Christian missionaries; Muslim responses to Christian interventions into Islamic religious practice; etc.
Deadline for abstracts: 1 May 2020.
Information: https://kadoc.kuleuven.be/english/3_research/31_ourresearch/mimora/cfp-mimora-3.pdf
- March 17, 2020
- by Andrew Newman
- 0 Comment
Shii News – Post-2003 Iraqi Political Identities – T. Dodge
Beyond structure and agency: Rethinking political identities in Iraq after 2003
This paper examines ethno‐symbolic and instrumental explanations of ethnic and sectarian identities placed within the constructivist turn in the study of political identity, both in the abstract and how they have been deployed to explain the increasing contemporary influence of ethnosectarian mobilisation in Iraq and the wider Middle East.
- March 16, 2020
- by Andrew Newman
- 0 Comment
Shii News – ‘Sunnis and Shi’a: A Political History’ – L. Louër
Sunnis and Shi’a
When Muhammad died in 632 without a male heir, Sunnis contended that the choice of a successor should fall to his closest companions, but Shi’a believed that God had inspired the Prophet to appoint his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, as leader. So began a schism that is nearly as old as Islam itself.
- March 11, 2020
- by Andrew Newman
- 0 Comment