CFP: Magic and Magicians in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Age (The University of Arizona, Tucson, April 28 – 1 May 2016), deadline 31 January 2016

Organizer and Chair: Dr. Albrecht Classen
University Distinguished Professor
Dept. of German Studies, 301 LSB, The University of Arizona
520 621-1395; aclassen@u.arizona.edu; aclassen.faculty.arizona.edu

Magic and the magician are two critically important aspects of cultural epistemology, challenging and contributing to the world of science, undermining it at the same time. Who was the magician, what did s/he do, how did s/he operate, how did society view him/her, and what does the topic addressed here mean for our own world in reflection upon the past?

This is a self-sustaining academic symposium. Participants are expected to secure travel funds and other resources to cover their costs (housing, registration) from their home institution.

Registration: $90. This will not only cover the conference, but also provide you with a free copy of the subsequent volume, for which I will do intensive research together with all contributors.

Selected papers will be accepted for publication in a planned volume (de Gruyter; see my webpage on Fundamentals, under “Middle Ages,” right hand side navigation bar). Each contributor to the volume will receive a free copy and can negotiate with the publisher reduced prices for any of the volumes in our series.

For anyone interested in joining the symposium as part of the audience, please contact the organizer. Student participation will be most welcome.

Languages accepted at the symposium: English, French, German, and in exceptional cases Spanish. Non-English papers must be accompanied by a good English summary available as a hand-out. Abstracts of all papers will be posted well ahead of the symposium.

Hotel Accommodations: A special arrangement has been made with Riverpark Inn,  $72/night (plus tax [12.05%] plus $2 per night). Price subject to change. Within the USA, call: 1-800 551-1466, refer to “Dept. of German Studies/Magic and the Magician in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Time,” or to my name (Classen).  Local number: 520 239-2300. Transportation to and from the symposium (at the University of Arizona), will be provided by means of the new streetcar ($4./day).  For international guests, please fax your reservations to: 011- 520-239-2329.

Deadline for submission of abstracts: January 31, 2016, but feel free to send an inquiry even after that date, to aclassen@u.arizona.edu