As far back as 1985, Catherine Prelinger argued for the need for new research on the central role of religion in many women's lives. Yet despite the growth of gender studies in diverse fields -- and important works like those of Marion Kaplan on Jewish women, Grit Klinkhammer on Muslim women, or Andrea Meissner on Catholicism -- the diverse aspects of women’s religious experience has not yet been the subject of systematic examination. Research has examined gendered religious spaces in the context of the emancipation and professionalization of women with less attention to religious experience and emotions.
This German Studies Association panel seeks papers that draw on methods from the history of emotions to consider religion and women in modern German-speaking Central Europe. Micro-historical or biographical approaches are also welcome. Prospective panelists could consider these or other questions:
- What theoretical approaches help us best understand the connections between women’s experiences, religion, and the history of emotions?
- In what ways have religious emotions been coded as masculine or feminine?
- How does a history of emotions approach shape our understanding of strength or weakness of the feminization of religion thesis?
- What emotional scripts were devout women from diverse religious backgrounds expected to follow?
- How did expectations of appropriate religious feeling shape women’s everyday life, opportunities, politics, or gender roles?
- How has material culture shaped women’s worship and experience of religion?
- In what ways were religious practices embodied, and in what ways did emotional scripts shape bodily manifestations of emotions?
If you would like to be part of this panel, send a short CV or biographical sketch and a proposed 300-word abstract to Lisa Zwicker (zwicker@iusb.edu) or Martina Cucchiara (cucchiaram@bluffington.edu) by Friday February 7.
Lisa and Martina are also beginning work on a conference on women, religion, and emotions for summer 2021. If you are not able to be part of this panel but are interested in the conference please contact them.