he label “Pagan Studies” marks the coming of age of
scholarly inquiry into a diversity of religious expressions
formerly considered new religious movements. The
definition of paganism advocated by sociologist of
religion Michael York,
an affirmation of interactive and
polymorphic sacred relationship by individual
or community with the tangible, sentient,
and nonempirical
emphasizes what these spiritual
traditions have in common: a feeling for “the
sacred” that is non-monotheistic, based on
relationship rather than revelation and scripture,
and often including an immanent dimension to landforms,
plants, and animals.
The common approach to the study
of religions assumes that formal religious traditions
are normative, and so miss the religious phenomena
that are inherently more fluid and more ambiguous.
The approach taken by Pagan Studies permits examinations
of highly dynamic and mutable religious communities
within a hypermodern society, ones that demonstrate
the increasing religious pluralism of our times. This
shift in perspective will be a welcome addition to
the growing intellectual endeavor to understand and
give meaning to a wide variety of religious experience.
The series in Pagan Studies will
be interdisciplinary in nature and include both junior
scholars who seek to turn strong dissertations into
publishable monographs and senior scholars who are
looking for the kind of attention a small academic
press can give their work. One of its most exciting
strengths is that it will take the lead in focusing
research on this topic as a legitimate field at the
same time that it helps build it into one.
The completed manuscript of between 75,000 and
120,000 words OR a detailed chapter by chapter prospectus
and either a sample of a published paper or a completed
chapter from the proposed book.
A current C.V. and an explanation by the author
explaining why he or she is uniquely qualified to
write the proposed book.
A statement about why/how this book will be unique
and make an important contribution to our understanding
of the field.
A statement regarding the potential market, including
an evaluation of any books in print that might be
considered competition to the proposed book.
An estimated date of completion.
To see example of
an excellent proposal that resulted in a contract >>
he label “Pagan Studies” marks the coming of age of
scholarly inquiry into a diversity of religious expressions
formerly considered new religious movements. The
definition of paganism advocated by sociologist of
religion Michael York,