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 informationParent Leadership Gift Council members and fellow parent volunteers warmly welcome new students and their families to Southwestern at send-off parties across the state.
more informationHang out with SU first-year Aransas as she explores Georgetown.
more informationEmilie Moeller ’18 shares how her time at Southwestern transformed her from a shy Unicorn Handler to a confident sorority president and tennis team captain.
more informationTo give you a glimpse into one student’s recent Friday night, Keyshaan Castle ’20 , takes us behind the scenes of a blacklight dodgeball tournament, hosted by Zeta Tau Alpha and SIRA.
more informationSophomore students participate in a three-day professional development summit.
more informationBoard of Trustees member Sylvia Kerrigan ’86 shares her sorority experience.
more informationThe transformative power of Fraternity & Sorority Life at Southwestern.
more informationNarrowing down your college short list is not easy. Here are six tips to help.
more informationBoard of Trustees member Mary Medley ’74 recalls her time at Southwestern.
more informationBrad Reagan’s ’94 journey from Southwestern to The Wall Street Journal.
more informationKarim Clarke ’26 shares his eye-opening Houston Methodist Research Institute internship journey.
more informationSouthwestern University announces its 2021–2026 Tactical Plan.
more informationQuincy Holland ’19 is the nineteenth recipient from SU to earn the Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators
more informationAlejandro Medina ’24 demonstrates outstanding potential in computing research by the Computing Research Association.
more informationStudent’s study unveils the connections between education, gender, and belief in conspiracy theories.
more informationSophomore students participate in a three-day professional development summit.
more informationBoard of Trustees member Sylvia Kerrigan ’86 shares her sorority experience.
more informationThe transformative power of Fraternity & Sorority Life at Southwestern.
more informationBoard of Trustees member Mary Medley ’74 recalls her time at Southwestern.
more informationBrad Reagan’s ’94 journey from Southwestern to The Wall Street Journal.
more informationKarim Clarke ’26 shares his eye-opening Houston Methodist Research Institute internship journey.
more informationSouthwestern’s Late-Night Breakfast is the ultimate study break.
more informationChris Vela will study the Southern Hemisphere’s skies and environment.
more informationSouthwestern University announces its 2021–2026 Tactical Plan.
more informationParent Leadership Gift Council members and fellow parent volunteers warmly welcome new students and their families to Southwestern at send-off parties across the state.
more informationEmilie Moeller ’18 shares how her time at Southwestern transformed her from a shy Unicorn Handler to a confident sorority president and tennis team captain.
more informationTo give you a glimpse into one student’s recent Friday night, Keyshaan Castle ’20 , takes us behind the scenes of a blacklight dodgeball tournament, hosted by Zeta Tau Alpha and SIRA.
more informationAlejandro Medina ’24 demonstrates outstanding potential in computing research by the Computing Research Association.
more informationSophomore students participate in a three-day professional development summit.
more informationBoard of Trustees member Sylvia Kerrigan ’86 shares her sorority experience.
more informationThe transformative power of Fraternity & Sorority Life at Southwestern.
more informationNarrowing down your college short list is not easy. Here are six tips to help.
more informationKarim Clarke ’26 shares his eye-opening Houston Methodist Research Institute internship journey.
more informationSouthwestern’s Late-Night Breakfast is the ultimate study break.
more informationSouthwestern University announces its 2021–2026 Tactical Plan.
more informationAlejandro Medina ’24 demonstrates outstanding potential in computing research by the Computing Research Association.
more informationThe University will receive over $1 million to support the humanities curriculum.
more informationSU celebrates four campus community members with the 2024 Mundy Awards and recognizes those who have achieved milestone anniversaries with the University.
more informationSouthwestern’s Late-Night Breakfast is the ultimate study break.
more informationSU Business Club collaborates with Houston Methodist Hospital in annual case study competition.
more informationEmbark on a transformative academic journey where excellence meets experience.
more informationA group of students attended a conference focused on empowering and developing Hispanic leadership.
more informationA conversation with Associate Professor of Art Heidi Hogden.
more informationLearn more about Cooper Philips’ research on insect biodiversity.
more informationLearn more about this collaborative student-faculty SCOPE project.
more informationStudents work with faculty and staff to create an interactive digital map of Southwestern’s campus.
more informationSouthwestern University announces its 2021–2026 Tactical Plan.
more informationParent Leadership Gift Council members and fellow parent volunteers warmly welcome new students and their families to Southwestern at send-off parties across the state.
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 informationBrad Reagan’s ’94 journey from Southwestern to The Wall Street Journal.
more informationAn alumna advocates for women, giving back, and making a lasting impact.
more informationAn alumna’s journey from student to architectural conservator and historian.
more informationA conversation with Associate Professor of Art Heidi Hogden.
more informationLearn more about this collaborative student-faculty SCOPE project.
more informationStudents work with faculty and staff to create an interactive digital map of Southwestern’s campus.
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.