Romantic-era approaches to popular belief, from the philosophical to the sociological, had different ways of framing the “common.” Common beliefs might be framed as ordinary, intuitive, or rooted in common sentiment; or might in contrast suggest vulgar or popular belief, as in the category of “popular superstitions.” This panel will look at Romantic-era constructions of common or popular belief, with topics that might include (but are not limited to): “Common Sense” philosophy and intuitive belief; popular religion; folklore and supernatural beliefs; cultures of popular magic; or other approaches to “traditional” belief.

Deadline: 250-word abstracts and brief bio to john.savarese@uwaterloo.ca by February 1, 2025; will be submitted to the conference committee as a complete panel.

Conference details: “Romanticism’s Commons,” the 2025 meeting of the North American Society for the Study of Romanticism; hosted by Athabasca University, the conference will be fully online; attendance will require only membership and registration fees - no travel or lodging costs.