[Discussion] _Radical History Review_ seeks articles on Converted Spaces

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

For an upcoming issue of the journal _Radical History Review_ that 
focuses on
religion and politics, we invite authors to write and submit short 
articles or
essays (12-18 pages, double-spaced) to be published in a special forum 
exploring
the theme "Converted Spaces." We envision the forum to include 3-5 
pieces that
explore the following questions:

# How do physical spaces (buildings, streets, shrines, natural landscapes)
function as sites of contestation among competing religious groups? How 
do such
sites accommodate multiple religious faiths?
# In areas where one religious group became displaced by another, how were
physical spaces "converted" from the old to the new faith? What were the 
social,
cultural, and political consequences of such converted spaces?
# How are sacred spaces "secularized"? How are secular, public, or civic 
spaces
(courthouses, schools) transformed when religious rituals, symbols, and/or
practices enter them? What are the socio-political and cultural 
ramifications of
such transformations?

Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the Christianization of
non-Christian sacred sites in Europe or regions colonized by Europeans; the
destruction of Muslim mosques in India and their conversion into Hindu 
shrines;
the use of churches for organizing dissent in the former Communist 
nations of
Eastern Europe; debates about wearing head scarves by Muslim girls in French
schools; the use of public schools in the United States for religious 
education
and programs; the rise and function of so-called "mega churches" in the 
United
States; etc. We are interested in historical analyses, as well pieces 
analyzing
current issues with historical perspectives.

Interested authors should send a proposal to: with "Converted Spaces 
RHR" in the
subject line of the e-mail message. Deadline for proposals is September 
1, 2005.
If your proposal is accepted for publication, final essays will be due 
January
15, 2006.

Radical History Review

Email: rhr@igc.org