
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.
An assistant professor and a Board of Trustees member collaborate on studying the human-animal bond in stress management.
more informationFrom Granada to Salamanca to London to New York, four Southwestern students recall their time abroad and away and how the experiences enriched their lives and even led to a job offer.
more informationThe Golden Pirates Esports team is producing more than just a competitive group of gamers. They are building a community.
more informationThe Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Center fosters an inclusive and equitable environment for Southwestern students.
more informationAssistant Director for Outdoor Adventure Branndon Bargo took a group of students on a caving adventure.
more informationAn assistant professor and a Board of Trustees member collaborate on studying the human-animal bond in stress management.
more informationSouthwestern University gathered a panel of incredible women to speak during the International Women’s Day luncheon addressing the theme #EmbraceEquity, which discussed equity in work-life balance.
more informationSouthwestern University rose 13 places in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Colleges rankings—the biggest single-year jump in school history—and SU was also recognized as a top school in the Social Mobility category, which measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants.
more informationA recognized leader in building successful athletics programs, Ken Ralph will join Southwestern University as athletic director effective Sept. 15.
more informationThe applied mathematician and Southwestern alumna will address the graduating class.
more informationSouthwestern University shows a dedication to including green spaces on campus as they have proven to benefit students.
more informationAn assistant professor and a Board of Trustees member collaborate on studying the human-animal bond in stress management.
more informationSouthwestern University gathered a panel of incredible women to speak during the International Women’s Day luncheon addressing the theme #EmbraceEquity, which discussed equity in work-life balance.
more informationA journey from Nigeria to the Midwest to head track and field coach at Southwestern.
more informationAlumna uses her passion for helping others as a lawyer, mentor, and nonprofit founder.
more informationSouthwestern University rose 13 places in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Colleges rankings—the biggest single-year jump in school history—and SU was also recognized as a top school in the Social Mobility category, which measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants.
more informationFifty years ago, Title IX was signed into law. The landmark legislation transformed women’s athletics. We look back at our history and pioneers as we continue to strive for equity in all we do.
more informationCatherine Hiebel ’22 and Melina Boutris ’22 will teach English in Spain and Austria, respectively.
more informationNotable Achievements
Professor of Religion Elaine Craddock published the essay “Kālī Dances into the Cremation Grounds of the Tamil Land” in the Routledge anthology Regional Communities of Devotion in South Asia: Insiders, Outsiders, and Interlopers, edited by Gil Ben-Herut, Jon Keune, and Anne E. Monius.
Expertise
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.