[Bilimsel Haber] CFP: Interdisciplinary Essays on the Apotropaic (2/15/06; collection)

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

From: Gregory Marks <marksg@stjohns.edu>

Call for Essays

Seeking essays for an interdisciplinary collection tentatively titled
The Shield of Perseus: Essays on the Apotropaic


The apotropaic (Gr.: to turn away from) constitutes a class of rituals 
intended
to ward off evil. Jane Ellen Harrison investigated their presence in ancient
Greek religion, but the term has wide application in the humanities. The
apotropaic often uses the horrible to repel the horrible (e.g., the evil 
eye,
the head of Medusa); thinkers as diverse as Freud, Paglia, Derrida, and 
Spivak
have found it a topic worthy of comment.


Insightful, original essays in the humanities, arts, history, anthropology,
etc., are sought to be included in this collection. Submissions should be
well-written, historically and theoretically informed, but clearly 
argued and
free of jargon. Topics might include, but are by no means limited to:

Apotropaic gestures in literature and the arts

Apotropaic prayers

The metaphysics of the apotropaic

Apotropaic responses to historical calamity

The apotropaics of suffering


A nationally known critic/scholar has agreed write the foreword. I 
already have
a strong expression of interest from a university press, and commitments 
from
scholars in architecture, religion, and literature.


Send abstracts and inquiries to marksg@stjohns.edu 
<mailto:marksk@stjohns.edu> .
250-word abstracts, sent as Word attachments, are due by 2/15/2006; complete
essays of 4000-5000 words will be due by 8/15/2006.



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