Call For Papers - Placing Religious Pluralism in Asian Global Cities

Venue : 5 May 2011 - 6 May 2011

Venue : ARI Seminar Room

Venue : Tower Block Level 10, 469A Bukit Timah Road

Venue : National University of Singapore @ BTC
Organisers:       Dr FORMICHI Chiara
Organisers:       Dr FINUCANE Juliana

(DEADLINE: 31 OCTOBER 2010)

The rapid urbanization of Asia is one of many recent changes faced by religious groups that struggle to make a place for themselves and get along with others in increasingly crowded public spaces. The acceleration of global flows and the increasingly transnational dimensions of many religious groups – phenomena that have been ongoing for centuries - create new contexts of religious hyper-diversity, especially in cities, where many of these global processes are articulated and contested. Similarly, Asian cities have undergone rapid change in recent years. Some observers have bemoaned the loss of spaces of unscripted sociability from cities increasingly organized along the profit-driven motives of late capitalism. Others have celebrated the promise of conviviality extended by these cities to their increasingly diverse citizenry through the creation of new urban spaces marked by cosmopolitan attitudes about difference. As the debate about the social and cultural effects of these urban transformations grows ever more polarized, this workshop will offer focused and empirically grounded studies of religious conviviality in these emerging and/or disappearing urban spaces. The workshop focuses in particular on the places of everyday religious diversity in Asian cities in order to explore how religious groups have confronted these new situations of religious diversity. We are particularly interested in exploring the conditions under which active religious pluralism emerges (or not) from material contexts of diversity in existing and emerging global cities. Contributions addressing these dynamics from a historical perspective are welcome.

This workshop takes a critical approach to the concepts of “religious pluralism” and “the global city,” arguing that both are value-laden normative constructs that illuminate aspirations more often than realities. As a starting point, we follow Michael Peletz’s description of pluralism as not simply the existence of diversity, but diversity that is accorded legitimacy. As such, in our examination of the spaces of religious pluralism in global cities (or absence thereof), we seek in particular to examine the quality of relations that emerge in encounters in these urban places among people of different religious traditions. We take a broad view of “place,” understanding place not just to suggest settings and material places, but also imagined places, private places, and itineraries through place.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
Paper proposals should include a title, an abstract (250 words maximum) and a brief personal biography of 150 words by 31 October 2010.
Please submit and address all applications and enquiries to Dr Chiara Formichi (aricf@nus.edu.sg).
Click here for the Abstract Proposal Form.

Visit the website at www.ari.nus.edu.sg/...

[Appel à projets] ARI, NUS - (Senior) Research Fellowships.

(Senior) Research Fellowships, One-Year Visiting (Senior) Research Fellowships and Postdoctoral Fellowships

Applications are invited for (Senior) Research Fellowships, One-Year Visiting (Senior) Research Fellowships and Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Asia Research Institute (ARI) for commencement between April 2011 and September 2011.
The positions are intended for outstanding active researchers from around the world, to work on an important piece of research in the social sciences and humanities. Interdisciplinary interests are encouraged.  Up to three months of a 12-month fellowship may be spent conducting fieldwork in the Asian region.
A majority of the positions will be allocated to the more specific areas listed below.  However some will be reserved for outstanding projects in any area outside of those listed.  Applicants should mention which category they are applying to or if none, indicate “open category”.  Applications which link more than one field are also welcome.

Closing date for applications is 30 September 2010.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

(Senior) Research Fellowships
   1. The appointment will be tenable for a period of two years at the first instance, with the possibility of extension for another term of two years (ie. up to a total of a four-year term). Interested applicants should have at least a PhD with a few years of postdoctoral research experience.
   2. The fellowship comes with a competitive remuneration and benefits package depending on seniority.
   3. Support for research and fieldwork, and conference attendance (on application and subject to approval).

One-Year Visiting (Senior) Research Fellowship
   1. The appointment will have a normative tenure of one year, though shorter periods may be negotiated. Interested applicants should have at least a PhD with a few years of postdoctoral research experience.
   2. The fellowship comes with a competitive remuneration and benefits package depending on seniority.

Postdoctoral Fellowships
   1. Contract is tenable for a period of one year in the first instance with a possibility of extension to two years.
   2. An all-inclusive and fixed monthly salary will be provided.
   3. Support for research and fieldwork, and conference attendance (on application and subject to approval).
   4. Candidates must have fulfilled all requirements of the PhD within the last 2 years. If you are a PhD candidate at the point of application, you may also apply provided that you are confirmed for graduation between April to September 2011. A letter from your university will be required to confirm your graduation before your proposed start date.

The benefits that the University provides and other information about working in NUS and living in Singapore are available at www.nus.edu.sg/careers/potentialhires/index.html. Terms and conditions, according to university guidelines, are subject to changes without prior notice.

AREAS OF RESEARCH FOCUS

1) The Asian Migration cluster ...
2) The Asian Urbanisms cluster ...
3) The Changing Family in Asia cluster ...
4) The Cultural Studies in Asia ...
5) The Religion and Globalisation cluster ...
6) The Science, Technology, ... 
7) The Open Category. ...

More informations : read this document.

[Offre d'emploi/Job post] National University of Singapore SEAsian studies

The Southeast Asian Studies Programme of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, seeks applications from scholars specializing in Southeast Asia. One appointment will be at the Assistant Professor (tenure track) level; another appointment may be made at either Assistant or Associate Professor level (tenured or tenure track). Areas of specialization are open, but we are looking for candidates who complement the existing strengths of the department. Teaching interests in one or more of the following are particularly desirable: literature, history, ecology and environmental studies, belief and ritual, political economy, and media studies. Applicants should be committed to working and teaching in an interdisciplinary environment with an area studies perspective. Geographical specialization is open, but the department especially encourages applications from candidates who work on the Philippines, Vietnam and other mainland Southeast Asian countries.

Other criteria for the position(s) include teaching experience and evidence of teaching capacity, an active research agenda, and a strong publication record or the potential to develop one. Fluency in a Southeast Asian language is essential.

The successful applicant will be expected to teach at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including large introductory courses and individual student research supervision. Faculty in the programme should also have the ability to relate to students from diverse backgrounds.

Scholars willing to make a long-term commitment to Southeast Asia, including citizens of its countries, are especially encouraged to apply. A Ph.D. is required at the time of application.

To apply, please submit a full CV, names of three referees, and a statement describing your research and teaching interests to the Chair of the Search Committee. If reference letters are available they should be sent directly to the Chair of the Search Committee. Further information about the Southeast Asian Studies Programme is available at http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/sea/. Links to information regarding the University, terms of service, benefits and allowances are available at http://www.nus.edu.sg/careers/.

The appointment(s) will begin on July 1, 2011 at the latest, with a possibility of beginning as early as January 1, 2011. Candidates should submit all application materials by 30 September 2010.

Inquiries and completed applications should be directed to the address below. Only short-listed candidates will be notified of the selection committee’s decision.

Chair of the Search Committee
Southeast Asian Studies Programme
National University of Singapore
3 Arts Link, Singapore 117570
Fax: (65) 6777-6608
Email: seasec@nus.edu.sg

[Publication] Southeast Asia in the Fifteenth Century.

The China Factor
Geoff Wade and Sun Laichen (Editors)

The fifteenth century is an enigma in Southeast Asian history - too late for classical inscriptions, and generally too early for indigenous texts or European observations. The arrival of European ships, ideas and economies in the early sixteenth century has long been seen as the origin of the early modern era in Southeast Asia, but the present collection challenges this view, suggesting that intense and lasting political and economic changes were already well underway by 1500.
The argument rests on developments such as the introduction of firearms, more intensive rice agriculture, Thai and Viet ceramic exports, Korean and Ryukyu contacts with Southeast Asia, the demise of Champa, the climax of Viet and northern Tai statecraft, the birth of the Melayu-Muslim kingship in Melaka and the creation of a new Muslim Javanese civilization on Java's north coast. Coincident with these changes, Ming China's engagement with Southeast Asia grew as a result of overland expansion into the Tai and Viet polities, state-sponsored maritime voyages, and private Chinese trade and migration to the region.
Southeast Asia in the Fifteenth Century: The China Factor draws together the great changes that occurred in Southeast Asia during the fifteenth century, and considers the extent to which Ming China's engagement with the region helped usher in the early modern period of Southeast Asian history.
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Geoff WADE is a Historian with interests in Sino-Southeast Asian interactions, comparative historiography and the use of Chinese texts as sources for Southeast Asian history.
SUN Laichen is an Associate Professor at California State University, Fullerton. He specializes in early modern Southeast Asian history, particularly the interaction between China and Mainland Southeast Asia.
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publication year: 2010
512 pages
ISBN: 978-9971-69-448-7  Paperback  US$32  S$45
Our edition is available worldwide except Hong Kong and Taiwan.
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Conference on Inter-Asian Connections II : Singapore - Dec. 8-10, 2010.

Co-organized and co-sponsored by The Hong Kong Institute for Humanities and the Social Sciences (HKIHSS) at the University of Hong Kong, the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the Social Science Research Council (SSRC).

CALL FOR WORKSHOP PAPERS
DEADLINE: Monday, May 31, 2010
-

   *   Regional Knowledge Hubs in Asia: the Social Sciences and Humanities in Science and Technology Human Capital (STHC)

       Workshop Directors - V.V. Krishna (National University of Singapore) and Tim Turpin (University of Western Sydney)

   *   Inter-Asian temple and trust networks within and out of Southeast Asia

       Workshop Director - Kenneth Dean (McGill University)

   *   How Asia Became Territorial

       Workshop Directors - Itty Abraham (University of Texas at Austin) and See Seng Tan (S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University)

   *   Reproduction Migration in Asia

       Workshop Directors - Biao Xiang (University of Oxford) and Mika Toyota (National University of Singapore)

   *   Old Histories, New Geographies: Contrapuntal Mobilities of Trade in Asia

       Workshop Directors - Engseng Ho (Duke University) and Lakshmi Subramanian (Jamia Millia Islamia)
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Download Full Application Instructions (including Cover Sheet) (pdf)

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Appel à projets : ARI/NUS

Call for papers

5th Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast Asia Studies
5 Jul 2010 - 9 Jul 2010 

Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore

The Asia Research Institute (ARI) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) invites applications from postgraduate students who are engaged in research on Southeast Asia to attend the 5th Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast Asian Studies on 7-9 July 2010.
This 3-day forum will be part of ARI’s 5-day Graduate Development Institute and Forum, which in addition to the forum will include two full days of sessions aimed to develop graduate student understandings of academia and relevant skills, through roundtable discussions with faculty, focused practical seminars and breakout group discussions.  
This event coincides with the Asia Research Institute’s Asian Graduate Student Fellowship Programme 2010, which brings some 33 graduate students to ARI for a two and a half month period. These students will also participate in the Graduate Forum.
Postgraduate students working on Southeast Asia are invited to submit abstracts based either on work in progress that is at an advanced stage (i.e. already completed data collection and analysis), or on completed work. NUS students are encouraged to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with students from ASEAN as well as those from other regions whose interests focus on Southeast Asia.
This three-day forum, the fifth of an annual series of forums for graduate students who work on Southeast Asia, will be organised thematically. Themes broadly reflect (but are not limited to) the core research strengths of the Asia Research Institute, including  the Asian dynamics of religion, politics, economy, gender, culture, language, migration, urbanism,  science and technology, population and social change.
In addition to student presentations, experts from the region will also be invited to give keynote speeches, sharing their insights on challenges and issues facing contemporary social science scholarship.
Students whose proposals are selected for presentation at the forum will participate in the full 5 days of the Graduate Development Institute and Forum. Partial or full funding may be available for selected students. Funding will cover board and lodging for the duration of the forum, and in selected cases, air travel to Singapore by the most economical means.

Submission of paper proposal :
Graduate students should submit a 300-400 word abstract of their proposed paper using the attached form to Ms Sharon Ong at arios@nus.edu.sg no later than 9 April 2010.

Click here for the Application form.

The abstract should clarify the substantive issues which your paper will address and be firmly grounded in your own research project. Please include information on objectives, methods, and findings, as well as explain the original contribution the research makes to the field of study.
One confidential letter of recommendation from a supervisor should also be forwarded along with your form by the same date.
Successful applicants will be notified by 23 April 2010.
Those selected will have to submit full-length papers, of around 4,000-5,000 words in length, by 16 June 2010.

Contact détail:

Secretariat : Ms Sharon Ong
                   Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
                   469A Tower Block, #10-01, Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259770
                   Email : arios@nus.edu.sg
                   Tel: (65) 6516 8784 ; Fax: (65) 6779 1428

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