The
Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA), in cooperation with the
American Studies Network (ASN), will host a conference entitled “Religion and the Marketplace: New Perspectives and New Findings” on October 6-8, 2011. The conference aims to investigate
how the conditions of the marketplace have determined, influenced, and limited American religion in the past and present. Given the prominence of the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses in the American Constitution, a broad-based "competition for souls and purses" has historically helped define the contours of religion in America. This conference will build upon previous insights while probing further into the complex relationship between religion and the marketplace.
Scholars in American Studies and broadly defined related fields to submit paper abstracts for this conference. Individual paper abstracts (200-250 words) must be received by
March 31, 2011. Paper topics must correspond to the subjects listed in the
full call for papers, which include, for example, "Religion and the Market in Theory and History" and "Modern Capitalism, Secularization, and New Spiritualities." Successful applicants will be notified by May 1, 2011. All questions and submissions should be sent electronically to:
djunker@hca.uni-heidelberg.de.The HCA will cover travel expenses (economy), lodging, and meals for conference participants.