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The informal colloquium for the study of medieval Islamicate slavery and genderis seeking papers for two panels for the next MESA conference.Panel #1: Organizer, Craig Perry, Emory UniversityPanel Topic: "Domestic Slavery in the Medieval Middle East"What can we learn by studying the lives of non-elite domestic slaves in thehouseholds of the pre-modern Middle East? This panel will study a form ofslavery that was widespread in medieval Islamicate societies, but that hasreceived less scholarly attention than other kinds of slaves includingconcubines of the elite, eunuchs, slave soldiers, and qiyān (singing slavewomen). Particular topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the roleof domestic slaves in the economy and politics of the household; slavery,gender, and mastery; representations of domestic slavery; slavery and socialstatus; slaveholding in non-Muslim communities; and slavery laws. The goal ofthis panel is both to explore potential sources and methodologies for the studyof domestic slavery and to theorize more broadly the social logic and functionof non-elite slavery in pre-modern Middle Eastern societies.Please submit your paper abstract (400 words MAX) and a CV for consideration toCraig Perry &#60;caperry@emory.edu&#62; by Monday, February 3, 2014. If yourpaper is included in the panel, you will be required to upload your abstract tothe MESA website before February 15, 2014. You must also have a current MESAmembership by this date in order to submit your abstract.Panel #2: Organizer, Lisa Nielson, Case Western Reserve UniversityPanel Topic:  “Music, art and literature: changes and exchanges in themedieval Islamicate world”This panel considers how artistic exchanges, borrowings, and hybridizationinfluenced social and cultural changes in the medieval Islamicate world betweenthe 7th and 15th centuries. While some of the most visible examples of artisansand entertainers were slaves, such as singing slave girls (qiyān), the ranksof artists included free and unfree men, women and cross-gendered individuals.In what ways did artists, either as symbols or as cultural icons, impactintellectual discourse?  How and why did social and legal status of artisansand musicians change? What modes of exchange and collaboration were used in thedevelopment of the arts? In addition to music, visual arts, and literature,studies that examine craft and skilled work, such as ceramics, metal andstonework, are welcome, as are those focused on economics of trade, the roleand status of artisans (free, unfree), religious and moral rhetoric, genderidentity and performance, and individual artists. Those projects examining theeffect of artistic exchanges from the standpoint of reciprocity andcollaboration with early medieval Europe, India and China are of interest aswell.Please submit an abstract of 300 – 400 words to Lisa Nielson atlen12@case.edu. Kindly use the heading “MESA, 2014” in the subject of yourquestion or submission. Email submissions only.  The deadline for submissionsis Friday, Feb. 7th, 2013, and participants will be notified no later thanFebruary 10th. Participants will be required to upload their abstract to theMESA website before February 15, 2014. You must also have a current MESAmembership by this date in order to submit an abstract.For full guidelines regarding abstracts and membership in MESA, please referto: http://www.mesa.arizona.edu/