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International Society for the Sociology of Religion Société Internationale de Sociologie des Religions

32nd ISSR Conference

RETHINKING COMMUNITY

RELIGIOUS CONTINUITIES AND MUTATIONS IN LATE MODERNITY Turku-Ã…bo, Finland, 27-30 June, 2013

Since the beginning of sociological study of religion the close interactions between religion and community life have been emphasised.

For a long time, social scientists have discussed if religious communities are either cohesive, divisive or both - and have thereby taken the notion of “religious community” for granted. In recent research, however, the concept of religious community itself has come into question. Whereas some “classical” forms of parishes and congregations continue to operate, recent studies in sociology of religion have shown important new phenomena arising. On the one hand, seemingly constant forms of congregations change in central ways, e.g.

growing into megachurches, resorting to marketing and branding, and operating in new transnational ways. On the other hand, globalisation, mediatization and individualization lead to completely new phenomena, for example liquid, festive, virtual and mediatized religious communities. This international conference will give the opportunity to analyze these continuities and mutations both theoretically and empirically.

Plenary 1

Continuities and mutations in classic and diasporic communities

Plenary 2

Continuities and mutations in spectacular, liquid and virtual communities

Possible topics for thematic sessions and papers

The Local Committee has suggested the following topics for the Thematic Sessions, with reference to the general conference theme, ‘Rethinking

Community: Religious continuities and mutations in late modernity’:

Religion and Social Cohesion

Religion and Social Welfare

Religion and New Media

Religion and Transformation of the public Sphere New Urban Rituals Governance of Religion Religious Conflict Transnational Religious Communities Religious Nationalism Ethno-religious Communities Parishes and Congregations “Community” as a Political Concept

Please note: although thematic sessions which relate to the general conference theme are welcome, thematic sessions are not tied to the general conference theme.

EACH CONVENER MAY ONLY ORGANIZE ONE THEMATIC SESSION OR ONE WORKING GROUP

Conveners should send to the General Secretary

(generalsecretary.issr@unipd.it)

BEFORE the 15th of JUNE 2012

the title of the proposed session, in English and French

and the rationale of the Session

(100 words in each of the two languages of the ISSR)

mentioning also their institutional affiliation and their email address

Please keep in mind that:

- to submit a session proposal or a paper you need to be a ISSR member;

- no matter what payment method you choose, you will find all information on the ISSR website

www.sisr-issr.org

Deadlines

June 15th 2012: Proposals for Thematic Sessions and Working Groups to be sent to the General Secretary

Session titles and the conveners’ names will be published in the next Network and posted on our web site www.sisr-issr.org by July 2012

November 15th 2012: Abstracts of proposed papers for sessions to be sent to the convener of the Session, abstracts of miscellaneous papers to be sent to the General Secretary

January 15th 2013: Provisional Programme of the Conference in the first issue of Network of 2013

February 2013: Definite Programme on the Web Site www.sisr-issr.org