Call for Papers -- Conference on Judith
New York Public Library, 17-18

April 2008

Deadline: November 30, 2007

We invite papers that examine any aspect of the theme of Judith for a
multidisciplinary conference "The Sword of Judith: Female Agency and the
Aesthetic of Terror," to be held at the New York Public Library, April
17–18, 2008.

We welcome all scholarly approaches and new contributions to the canonicity,
authorship and historical basis of the Book of Judith and to any aspect of
the textual and visual traditions of Judith in later periods. Possible
topics include the Mary/Judith typology; the relationship of the Book of
Judith to the Jewish canon; the interpretation of Judith in Jewish,
Christian, or secular literature, manuscript illuminations, and works of
art; Judith as a subject in music and dance; and the resurgent interest in
Judith in the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Papers that address the Judith narrative in its larger contexts are
particularly welcome. To enhance multidisciplinary collaboration and
community, a combination of a private Web site and wiki technology
will enable scholars to circulate their work-in-progress before and
after the conference. Research grants are available and conference
travel expenses will be paid for the selected participants.

Send a 500-word abstract and current CV by November 30, 2007, to
Judith2008rarewildflower.org. Authors of accepted proposals will be
notified by December 31, 2007. Completed papers must be ready to be
posted on the conference website by March 21, 2008. Those selected for
publication are required to be submitted online by August 31, 2008.
For a complete description of the conference, see
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/10/prweb559915.htm

The conference is funded by the Brine Family Charitable Trust.