The editor
of Religion and World Civilizations: How Faith Shaped Societies from
Antiquity to the Present is seeking contributors for a three-volume
encyclopedia (under contract with ABC-Clio) considering how religion has
impacted and/or influenced various past or present worldwide civilizations or
societies. The encyclopedia will include roughly 700 entries/essays, each 1,000
words, including a “Further Reading” postscript of 2-4 books or articles in
English and accessible to undergraduates. The general editor will include
introductory essays that place the general themes of the book into historical
context.
Representative examples of essay topics include: Biblical Law and Capital Punishment among the Ancient Hebrews, the Appeal of Christianity to Women in Ancient Rome, Animal Sacrifice in Ancient China, Viking Religion in Early Medieval Europe, Survival of Zoroastrianism after the Arab Conquest, Compilation of the Qur’an, Founding of the Knights Templar, Guru Nanak and the Foundation of Sikhism, Practice of Sati in Medieval India, Genghis Khan’s Religious Beliefs, Arrival of Buddhism in Japan, Ezana of Axum’s Conversion to Christianity, Moscow as the Third Rome, Spiritual Reasons for Inca Human Sacrifice, Religion and the Role of Women in Aztec Society, Vincent de Paul and his Charitable Legacy, John Brown’s Holy War Against Slavery, Impact of Religious Charities in the United States, Methodists Ordain Women, Animism in Modern Africa, Lambeth Conference and Birth Control, Founding of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, Buddhist Violence and the Fall of Tibet, Ayodhya Debates and Mumbai Riots, Liberation Theology in Latin America.
Of the 700 planned essays, there are currently many remaining essays that are not yet assigned to contributors. We are especially looking for contributors who may be able to write on non-western topics but have a variety of available essays. We are also seeking contributors that may be able to submit their 1,000-word essays sometime in the spring, ideally, but no later than summer 2021.
All contributors also receive access to the e-book version of the 3-volume encyclopedia, and persons writing 6,000 words (or 6 essays) or more will receive a hardback copy of the 3- volume encyclopedia when it is published.
At a minimum, potential contributors should be at the level of an advanced graduate student. For a complete listing of available entries and more information (style guidelines, sample essay, negotiated deadlines, etc.…), please email Andrew Holt at aholt@fscj.edu