Jorunn J. Buckley
Associate Professor of Religion, Chair of Religion Department
Spring 2008
- Islam (REL 208)
- Gnosticism (REL 310)
| Phone | (207) 725-3687 |
| Title | Associate Professor |
| Department | RELIGION |
| 2nd Title | Chair |
| 2nd Department | RELIGION |
| Work Location | 23 Ashby House |
| jbuckley@bowdoin.edu |
Education:
Cand. mag. (Oslo),
Cand. philol. (Bergen)
Ph.D. (Chicago)
Jorunn J. Buckley, a historian of religions (comparative perspective), works in Gnostic religions, particularly with the Mandaeans, who are the last, still-living Near Eastem Gnostics from ancient times. Involvement with the Mandaeans themselves, including advocacy, especially in political and religious asylum cases on behalf of Mandaeans. Currently engaged in reconstructing Mandaean history. Has held offices in the American Academy of Religion. Has taught more than 30 courses in 12 institutions over a 27 year period. Background in psychology and philosophy; focus on myths, rituals, and theory and method in the study of religion. Recently recorded a Recently recorded a podcast about her scholarship on the Mandaeans - an endangered Middle Eastern religious sect - and talks about how she became involved in human rights work on their behalf.
PUBLICATIONS
TRANSLATION
An essay of Martin Heidegger, "Das Ende der Philosophie und die Aufgabe des Denkens," into Norwegian, published in Norway, 1969.
BOOKS
The Great Stem of Souls: Reconstructing Mandaean History, Gorgias Press, Piscataway, New Jersey. 2005
The Mandaeans: Ancient Texts and Contemporary People, Oxford University Press/ Scholars Press. 2002
The Scroll of Exalted Kingship (Diwan Malkuta 'Laita) (A Mandaean Priest Initiation Text), American Oriental Society Translation Series vol. 3, New Haven, CT: The American Oriental Society. 1993
Female Fault and Fulfillment in Gnosticism, The University of North Carolina Press. 1986
Plus: a co-authored autobiography, in Norwegian, published in Norway, 2002, and a just-finished edition of a manuscript collection of Iraqi folktales, to be published 2006 by Gorgias Press (Piscataway, N. J.) as Folktales of Iraq II. A 1931 collection, Folk-tales of Iraq, by E. S. Drower, will be re-printed and issued by Gorgias Press at the same time as Folktales of Iraq II.
ARTICLES AND BOOK CHAPTERS (46 of them), Book Reviews (ca. 37), and Encyclopedia and Dictionary entries (ca. 27)
Presented Papers at Professional Societies and Conferences, and Invited Lectures (since 1976)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Religion (=AAR)
Society of Biblical Literature (=SBL)
American Oriental Society