The BCSR invites proposals for graduate student working groups focusing on a specific topic in the study of religion—such as ethnographic approaches to religion, African religion, poetry and religion, and so forth. The purpose of the working groups is to offer graduate students of religion a supportive interdisciplinary community with which to share work, discuss readings, and meet religion scholars. Working groups should fulfill the following criteria: (i) meet on a monthly basis, (ii) include at least three graduate students, and (iii) have a designated coordinator. Working group funding will range from $1500-$3000. Groups may use funds to purchase books and snacks/food, and to pay for speaker honorariums. We also encourage all working groups, with the help of the BCSR, to collaborate in organizing a graduate student symposium at the end of the year. To apply, the designated coordinator must send a paragraph describing the working group’s topic of study, proposed activities, and list of participants to BCSR co-directors Carolyn Chen (chen@berkeley.edu) and David Marno (marno@berkeley.edu) by October 3.
We encourage interested students to learn more and meet potential collaborators at the BCSR Graduate Student Welcome Reception on September 21 at 5 pm, in room 554 of the Social Sciences Building. Please RSVP at info.bcsr@berkeley.edu (subject: Welcome Reception).