Elaine Craddock
Professor of Religion
Expertise
Hinduism; Feminism and Religion; Tamil literature; Religion and the Body
Elaine Craddock received her MA and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
Southwestern University announces its 2021–2026 Tactical Plan.
more informationSouthwestern’s inclusivity efforts for the military community recognized with Silver Award.
more informationLearn more about Southwestern University’s Women’s Annex and view a fascinating film clip from over a century ago.
more informationStudent bridges theater and technology to create an automatic spotlight tracker.
more informationDiscover the thrill of exploration through the Outdoor Adventure Program.
more informationA conversation with Assistant Professor of Feminist Studies Meagan Solomon.
more informationThe home of Southwestern University ranks 15th on “The South’s Best Cities On The Rise” list.
more informationAlex Cannata ’24 shares his experience working for a baseball glove startup.
more informationOn April 8, 2024, the University invites all to experience an astronomical event.
more informationExplore Southwestern’s Distinctive Collections and Archives trove of love letters throughout history.
more informationSU proudly stands at the forefront of higher education innovation, distinguishing itself as the first institution in Texas to adopt this approach.
more informationA conversation with Assistant Professor of History Bryan Kauma.
more informationSouthwestern University announces its 2021–2026 Tactical Plan.
more informationSouthwestern’s inclusivity efforts for the military community recognized with Silver Award.
more informationLearn more about Southwestern University’s Women’s Annex and view a fascinating film clip from over a century ago.
more informationStudent bridges theater and technology to create an automatic spotlight tracker.
more informationDiscover the thrill of exploration through the Outdoor Adventure Program.
more informationA conversation with Assistant Professor of Feminist Studies Meagan Solomon.
more informationFollow along as local elementary school students enjoy a campus tour and conduct science experiments with the Chemistry Department.
more informationThe home of Southwestern University ranks 15th on “The South’s Best Cities On The Rise” list.
more informationIn May, Southwestern University will welcome Adam Winkler ’04 as the commencement speaker for the graduation ceremony celebrating the class of 2024.
more informationAlex Cannata ’24 shares his experience working for a baseball glove startup.
more informationOn April 8, 2024, the University invites all to experience an astronomical event.
more informationExplore Southwestern’s Distinctive Collections and Archives trove of love letters throughout history.
more informationSouthwestern University announces its 2021–2026 Tactical Plan.
more informationSouthwestern’s inclusivity efforts for the military community recognized with Silver Award.
more informationStudent bridges theater and technology to create an automatic spotlight tracker.
more informationDiscover the thrill of exploration through the Outdoor Adventure Program.
more informationJaime Hotaling ’23 recounts her transformative journey from SU to Disney.
more informationFollow along as local elementary school students enjoy a campus tour and conduct science experiments with the Chemistry Department.
more informationThe home of Southwestern University ranks 15th on “The South’s Best Cities On The Rise” list.
more informationIn May, Southwestern University will welcome Adam Winkler ’04 as the commencement speaker for the graduation ceremony celebrating the class of 2024.
more informationAlex Cannata ’24 shares his experience working for a baseball glove startup.
more informationOn April 8, 2024, the University invites all to experience an astronomical event.
more informationA new partnership offers students the opportunity for research assistant roles, interdisciplinary internships, and comprehensive observership experiences.
more informationAlejandro Medina ’24 demonstrates outstanding potential in computing research by the Computing Research Association.
more informationSouthwestern University announces its 2021–2026 Tactical Plan.
more informationSouthwestern’s inclusivity efforts for the military community recognized with Silver Award.
more informationLearn more about Southwestern University’s Women’s Annex and view a fascinating film clip from over a century ago.
more informationStudent bridges theater and technology to create an automatic spotlight tracker.
more informationDiscover the thrill of exploration through the Outdoor Adventure Program.
more informationA conversation with Assistant Professor of Feminist Studies Meagan Solomon.
more informationThe home of Southwestern University ranks 15th on “The South’s Best Cities On The Rise” list.
more informationIn May, Southwestern University will welcome Adam Winkler ’04 as the commencement speaker for the graduation ceremony celebrating the class of 2024.
more informationAlex Cannata ’24 shares his experience working for a baseball glove startup.
more informationOn April 8, 2024, the University invites all to experience an astronomical event.
more informationExplore Southwestern’s Distinctive Collections and Archives trove of love letters throughout history.
more informationA conversation with Assistant Professor of History Bryan Kauma.
more informationSouthwestern University announces its 2021–2026 Tactical Plan.
more informationLearn more about Southwestern University’s Women’s Annex and view a fascinating film clip from over a century ago.
more informationDiscover the thrill of exploration through the Outdoor Adventure Program.
more informationJaime Hotaling ’23 recounts her transformative journey from SU to Disney.
more informationIn May, Southwestern University will welcome Adam Winkler ’04 as the commencement speaker for the graduation ceremony celebrating the class of 2024.
more informationOn April 8, 2024, the University invites all to experience an astronomical event.
more informationExplore Southwestern’s Distinctive Collections and Archives trove of love letters throughout history.
more informationAlumnus reflects on his journey of resilience, creativity, and making an impact.
more informationA new partnership offers students the opportunity for research assistant roles, interdisciplinary internships, and comprehensive observership experiences.
more informationSophomore students participate in a three-day professional development summit.
more informationBoard of Trustees member Sylvia Kerrigan ’86 shares her sorority experience.
more informationBoard of Trustees member Mary Medley ’74 recalls her time at Southwestern.
more informationExpertise
Hinduism; Feminism and Religion; Tamil literature; Religion and the Body
Elaine Craddock received her MA and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
Hinduism in South India, particularly Tamil Śaivism and Tamil Hindu goddess worship. Religious and social practices of thirunangai/transgender communities in Tamil Nadu.
Selected publications:
“Goddess Worship and Bhakti.” In Oxford Bibliographies in Hinduism. Ed. Tracy Coleman. New York: Oxford University Press, forthcoming.
“Kālī Dances Into the Cremation Grounds of the Tamil Land.” In Regional Communities of Devotion in South Asia: Insiders, Outsiders, and Interlopers, edited by Gil Ben-Herut, Jon Keune, and Anne Monius. New York: Routledge, 2020.
“Recalibrating (Field)work.” QED: A Journal of GLBTQ Worldmaking, Vol. 5, No. 3, Fall 2018: 100-116. Included in the Queer Forum on Navigating Normativity Between Field and Academe in India, edited by Jeff Roy.
“Māriyammaṉ.” Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Hinduism and Tribal Religions, edited by Pankaj Jain, Rita Sherma, and Madhu Khanna. Dordrecht: Springer, June 30, 2018.
“The Half Male, Half Female Servants of the Goddess Aṅkāḷaparamēcuvari.” Nidan: International Journal for the Study of Hinduism, Vol. 24, December 2012: 117-135.
Siva’s Demon Devotee: Karaikkal Ammaiyar; SUNY Press, 2010.
“Karaikkal Ammaiyar: Bridging the Cankam and Saiva Worlds.” In Affinities and Oppositions: Relationship between Tamil and Sanskrit, edited by Kannan M and Jennifer Clare. French Institute, Pondicherry and the Tamil Chair at the University of California, Berkeley, 2009.
“The Anatomy of Devotion: The Life and Poetry of Karaikkal Ammaiyar.” In Beyond the Circle: Women’s Rituals, Women’s Lives in Hindu Traditions, edited by Tracy Pintchman. Oxford University Press, 2007.
“Reconstructing the Split Goddess as Shakti in a Tamil Village.” In Seeking Mahadevi:Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess, edited by Tracy Pintchman. New York: SUNY, 2001.
Elaine Craddock received her MA and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
Hinduism in South India, particularly Tamil Śaivism and Tamil Hindu goddess worship. Religious and social practices of thirunangai/transgender communities in Tamil Nadu.
Selected publications:
“Goddess Worship and Bhakti.” In Oxford Bibliographies in Hinduism. Ed. Tracy Coleman. New York: Oxford University Press, forthcoming.
“Kālī Dances Into the Cremation Grounds of the Tamil Land.” In Regional Communities of Devotion in South Asia: Insiders, Outsiders, and Interlopers, edited by Gil Ben-Herut, Jon Keune, and Anne Monius. New York: Routledge, 2020.
“Recalibrating (Field)work.” QED: A Journal of GLBTQ Worldmaking, Vol. 5, No. 3, Fall 2018: 100-116. Included in the Queer Forum on Navigating Normativity Between Field and Academe in India, edited by Jeff Roy.
“Māriyammaṉ.” Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Hinduism and Tribal Religions, edited by Pankaj Jain, Rita Sherma, and Madhu Khanna. Dordrecht: Springer, June 30, 2018.
“The Half Male, Half Female Servants of the Goddess Aṅkāḷaparamēcuvari.” Nidan: International Journal for the Study of Hinduism, Vol. 24, December 2012: 117-135.
Siva’s Demon Devotee: Karaikkal Ammaiyar; SUNY Press, 2010.
“Karaikkal Ammaiyar: Bridging the Cankam and Saiva Worlds.” In Affinities and Oppositions: Relationship between Tamil and Sanskrit, edited by Kannan M and Jennifer Clare. French Institute, Pondicherry and the Tamil Chair at the University of California, Berkeley, 2009.
“The Anatomy of Devotion: The Life and Poetry of Karaikkal Ammaiyar.” In Beyond the Circle: Women’s Rituals, Women’s Lives in Hindu Traditions, edited by Tracy Pintchman. Oxford University Press, 2007.
“Reconstructing the Split Goddess as Shakti in a Tamil Village.” In Seeking Mahadevi:Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess, edited by Tracy Pintchman. New York: SUNY, 2001.