2015 Southeast Region Call for Papers
 |
2015 Southeast Regional MeetingNashville Airport Marriott
|
Call for Papers
Come and join us in Nashville, Tennessee for the Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion (SECSOR) Regional meeting on March 6–8, 2015!
The following sections and program units invite members/participants who wish to present a paper or coordinate a session to submit the Proposal Submission Form available on the SECSOR website (http://secsor.org) along with proposals to the appropriate section chairs by October 6, 2014. Proposals should consist of a 1–2 page description of the presentation unless otherwise requested in the call for a particular section.
Each member/participant is limited to ONE (1) proposal, although a member may submit the same proposal to multiple sections. If a member submits a proposal to multiple sections, the relevant sections must be ranked as first or second choice on the Proposal Submission Form. Proposals for joint sessions as listed in the call should be sent to all involved section chairs, as directed, but do not have to be ranked.
Please note that, unless otherwise indicated, papers must be of such a length as can be presented within twenty (20) minutes, typically. Planned use of audio-visual equipment must be noted on the submission form. SECSOR will provide only a limited number of AV rooms with screen, cart, and power cords. Presenters must bring their own projection, audio, and other support equipment. It is imperative that we have all information concerning AV equipment on the proposal forms in order to insure presentations have the support needed. It is not possible to accommodate AV needs once meeting room assignments have been determined.
The copying of handouts is the responsibility of the presenter. All program participants must be registered for the meetings.
Paper Prizes and the SBL Regional Scholar Award
Members/participants are reminded that four paper prizes are awarded at every meeting of SECSOR. Prizes are given by SECSOR to the best undergraduate paper submitted; and by each of the three societies (AAR, SBL, ASOR) for the best graduate paper submitted.
All undergraduate papers, which must be received no later than December 15, 2014, are automatically considered for the Undergraduate Paper Prize.
Graduate students who wish to be considered for the AAR or SBL Graduate Student Prize must notify the chair of the section that has accepted their paper, and submit to that chair a paper of no longer than 12 pages no later than January 15, 2015.
Graduate students who wish to be considered for the Joseph A. Callaway award from ASOR must submit to the ASOR chair a paper of no longer than twelve (12) pages by January 15, 2015.
SBL members presenting to one of the SBL sections who have defended their dissertation between March 2011 and March 2015 are encouraged to apply to be considered for the SBL Regional Scholar Award. For more information on the requirements for consideration, please contact Dr. Vicki Phillips: (jrstrang@samford.edu).
(ASOR) Archaeology and the Ancient World
Themes: (1) Presidential address; (2) A session on Place and Pilgrimage (joint session with AAR Religions of Asia and SBL Hebrew Bible/Old Testament); (3) A session focusing on the parting of the ways between Judaism and Christianity; (4) One open session focused on excavation reports and other archaeological subjects. Please send your proposal or complete paper (required of first-time presenters) to chair: James Riley Strange (jrstrang@samford.edu). Student papers will be considered for the Joseph A. Callaway Award.
(AAR) Bible and Modern Culture
Themes: (1) “Narrative: Discovering or Creating Meaning.” Papers are sought which deal with all aspects of narrative from literary, linguistic, or historical perspectives, (2) Papers are invited on various aspects of the Bible and modern culture, including: literary criticism and the Bible; modern cultural studies; the Bible, war and violence; healing and wholeness; the culture of science in interaction with religion; popular media, music, and sacred stories/texts; contextual and minority hermeneutics in America; and Jesus and popular culture, etc. (3) Open call. Papers on diverse themes relating to the Bible and modern culture are welcome, including those dealing with the conference theme of disability. Please submit one-page proposals to Professor Brian Mooney, Johnson & Wales University (brian.mooney@jwu.edu) or Dr. Finbar Benjamin, Oakwood University (fbenjamin@oakwood.edu).
(AAR) Black Cultures and the Study of Religion
The Black Cultures and the Study of Religion Group welcomes papers in three areas: (1) The effects of womanist thought and practice in the church, the academy, and the broader social world. Papers may examine the tensions, layers, and possibilities within womanist thought as well as its contemporary relevance in the face of racism, patriarchy, heteronormativity, ableism, and empire. (2) The “prophetic” criticisms of President Obama by Cornel West and Tavis Smiley. Papers may address the relationship/tension between the role of the prophet and the role of the leader of an empire, the so-called crisis of black leadership, the instability of black identity, and the rhetoric of the post-racial. Send questions and proposals to Joseph Winters, University of North Carolina-Charlotte (jwinter6@uncc.edu) and Jamil Drake, Emory University (jamil.drake@emory.edu). (3) D.W. Griffith’s 1915 film, Birth of a Nation, for a joint session with the Religions in America section (send these paper proposals to Joseph Winters [jwinter6@uncc.edu] and Josh Fleer [jfleer@fsu.edu]). Papers may address the ongoing significance of this film one hundred years after its release, especially for thinking about race, gender, nation, and religion.
(AAR) Constructive Theologies
Themes: (1) Invited panel responding to Amos Yong’s work on theology and disability, with response from Professor Yong. (2) “Theological Anthropologies” (open call). Proposals engaging theological anthropologies with implications for theological reflection of disability are encouraged, but this session is not limited to papers making such connections. Submit all proposals to Steven R. Harmon, Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity (sharmon@gardner-webb.edu).
(AAR) Ethics, Religion, and Society
Proposals on all topics will be considered, but the following topics are encouraged: (1)A joint session with Islam and with Philosophy of Religion on theory and practice of inter-religious dialogue; (2) Integration of spiritual practices and health care; (3) Disabled veterans, the Veterans’ Administration, and suicide; (4) A joint session with Religion and Ecology: “From Oakridge to Fukushima: The Ethics of Nuclear Power.” All submissions are encouraged to consider and pay close attention to issues pertaining to the balance between theory and applied ethics. Submit proposals to Sally Holt, Belmont University (sally.holt@belmont.edu) and Michael Stoltzfus, Valdosta State University (mjstoltz@valdosta.edu). In addition, for the joint session with Islam and with Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, Religion and Society also send proposals to Rizwan Zamir (rizamir@davidson.edu), Eleanor Finnegan (finneged@ufl.edu), and Nathan Eric Dickman (nedickman@yhc.edu). For the joint session between Religion and Ecology and Ethics, Religion, and Society also send proposals to Todd LeVasseur (levasseurtj@cofc.edu) and Jefferson Calico (jcalico70@gmail.com).
(SBL) Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
Themes: (1) The Hebrew Bible/Old Testament section invites proposals for two open sessions. (2) In addition, a joint section with New Testament will have an invited panel on disability studies and the Bible. (3) A final session will celebrate the careers of Drs. Doug Knight and Jack Sasson. We invite proposals for papers which interacting with their scholarly work. Send proposals for open sessions to cochairs: Phillip Michael Sherman (Phillip.Sherman@maryvillecollege.edu) and Jim West (jwest@highland.net ). In addition, for the joint session on disability studies and the Bible, also send proposals to Doug Hume (doug.hume@pfeiffer.edu) and Annie Tinsley (annietinsley14@gmail.com).
(AAR) History of Christianity
We invite proposals that relate the history of Christianity to the theme of the 2015 meeting, “Disability.” Proposals may deal with any period of history and may be conducted from any methodological or theoretical starting point; the theme “disability” may be construed broadly. There will be three sessions, one relating to mythmaking, a session relating to disabilities and the history of Christianity, and a third joint panel with Method and Theory of Religion on Pierre Bourdieu and the history of Christianity. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to send proposals, provided that the proposal includes the name and contact information of a faculty member who agrees to mentor the student as needed. Send questions and/or proposals to Erin Roberts, University of South Carolina (erinroberts@sc.edu) and Thomas Whitley, Florida State University (twhitley@fsu.edu).
(AAR) Islam
Themes: Proposals on all topics in Islamic studies are welcome, but submissions on the theme of the 2015 SECSOR meeting (i.e., “Disability”) and the following are especially invited: (1) “Islam and the Theory and Practice of Inter-religious Dialogue,” as part of a joint panel with Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, Religion and Society emphasizing the theoretical, historical, social and ethical dimensions of Muslim encounters with “the religious other”; (2) “Religion, Law and Islam” examining debates surrounding Shariah within western societies (including the US) and the role of Shariah in the construction of Islam as a religion; (3) “Conversations in Islamic Studies: American Islam” This session invites discussants and participants for a conversation on American Islam with Professor Juliane Hammer about the implications and contributions of her latest edited volume Cambridge Companion to American Islam. Submit proposals to both Eleanor Finnegan, the University of Alabama (finneged@gmail.com) and Syed Rizwan Zamir, Davidson College (rizamir@davidson.edu). In addition, for the joint session with Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, Religion and Society also send proposals to Sally Holt, Belmont University (sally.holt@belmont.edu), Michael Stoltzfus, Valdosta State University (mjstoltz@valdosta.edu), and Nathan Eric Dickman (nedickman@yhc.edu). For the joint session with Religion and Law also send proposals to Brad Stoddard (bradlstoddard@gmail.com) and Mike Graziano (grazmike@gmail.com).
(AAR) Judaism
Proposals addressing any topic in Biblical/Early Judaism, Rabbinic Judaism, or Contemporary Judaism will be considered, but proposals are especially sought on the following themes: (1) Contemporary Judaism—any topic related to Judaism in the present day; (2) Rabbinic Judaism—any topic related to rabbinic themes, texts, or historical periods; and (3) Second Temple Judaism—any topic, but special consideration given to proposals pertaining to Wisdom and/or Apocalyptic in Jewish writings of this period. Submit all paper proposals by email to Michael Fuller, Lee University, (mfuller@leeuniversity.edu), and Samuel Kessler, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, (skessler@unc.edu).
(AAR) Method and Theory of Religion
The Method and Theory Group requests proposals for the 2015 meeting on the following topics: (1) Response of/to millennials and religion. We seek papers that explore either the religious expression of millennials, analyses of millennials’ religious trends or ways established religious organization are attempting to attract millennials. (2) Millennials and pedagogy (cosponsored with the Teaching and Learning Group). We seek papers that explore pedagogical challenges that come from teaching millennials as well as innovative techniques designed to better address millennials. (3) Undergraduate research in method and theory. The section welcomes papers from undergraduates that deal specifically with the analysis or the application of method and theory to some aspect of religion. Undergraduates must include in their proposals the name of a faculty mentor who is sponsoring their proposal. (4) Open Session, papers that address issues in the method and theory of religion or apply it to an aspect of religion are welcome. Send proposals to Laura Ammon, Appalachian State University (AmmonLL@appstate.edu) and Randy Reed, Appalachian State University (reedrw@appstate.edu).
(SBL) New Testament
The New Testament Section for the 2015 SECSOR conference invites paper proposals for the following sessions: (1) In line with the conference theme, papers that focus on disabilities and/or engage methodologies related to disability studies and the New Testament. (2) Papers that engage with the theme of the Kingdom of God, especially as this theme intersects with topics such as healing and disability, immigration, or postcolonialism. (3) An open call for papers in any area of New Testament studies. (4) Papers that engage the intersection of Second Temple Judaism and/or early Christianities with Hellenism. (5) In addition, a joint section with Hebrew Bible will have an invited panel on disability studies and the Bible. To submit a proposal to the New Testament section, please fill out the conference proposal form at the link below; you may cut and paste your abstract into the link.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SmitDW31YoEc91Je58hhuBB6pUiN7CFYNjV1ak3N96A/viewform. If you have difficulties, you may also email the conference proposal form and a copy of your abstract to secsornt@mpaymer.net. In addition, proposals for the joint session should also be emailed to Phillip Michael Sherman (Phillip.Sherman@maryvillecollege.edu) and Jim West (jwest@highland.net).
(AAR) Philosophy of Religion
Proposals on all topics in Philosophy of Religion will be considered, but the following session themes are encouraged: (1) a joint session with Islam and with Ethics, Religion, and Society on “theory and practice of interreligious dialogue;”*(2) a joint session with Asian Religions on “philosophy of religion and religious diversity;”** (3) a session on bridging analytic and continental philosophy of religion for religious studies; and (4) an open call for presentations in any area of philosophy of religion, but submissions are particularly encouraged that address the conference theme,“disabilities.” For all sessions, please send proposals to Nathan Eric Dickman, Young Harris College (nedickman@yhc.edu . *For the joint session on interreligious dialogue, please include Sally Holt (sally.holt@belmont.edu) and Michael Stoltzfus (mjstoltz@valdosta.edu), and Rizwan Zamir (rizamir@davidson.edu) and Eleanor Finnegan (finneged@ufl.edu). **For the joint session on religious diversity, please include Warner Belanger (Warner.Belander@gcsu.edu) and Lisa Battaglia (lbattagl@samford.edu).
(AAR) Religion and Ecology
The Religion and Ecology Section is excited to announce a call for presentations that deal with the interface of religion and ecology/nature. Session outline and calls are as follows: (1) Sustainable development and the social/ecological trap of poverty. (2) Music, ritual, and ecology. (3) Joint session with Religion, Ethics, and Society–“From Oakridge to Fukushima: The Ethics of Nuclear Power.” (4) Open Call. Send questions and proposals to Todd LeVasseur, College of Charleston (levasseurtj@cofc.edu), and Jefferson Calico, Eastern Kentucky University (jcalico70@gmail.com). For the joint session between Religion and Ecology and Religion, Ethics, and Society, also send proposals to Sally Holt, Belmont University (sally.holt@belmont.edu) and Michael Stoltzfus, Valdosta State University (mjstoltz@valdosta.edu).
(AAR) Religion and Law
This session seeks: (1) Panels or individual papers that address any aspect of the intersection between religion and law (emphasis on the United States, but we will also review papers that address these issues in international contexts). Possible topics include (but are not limited to) legal definitions of religion (or lack thereof), the history of First Amendment jurisprudence, religious freedom and the rights of corporations, theory and method in the study of religion and law. (2) “Religion, Law and Islam,” as part of a joint panel with the Islam section, examining Shariah within western societies, the role of Shariah in the construction of Islam as a religion, and anti-Shariah laws. Send proposals to Brad Stoddard (bs10g@my.fsu.edu) and Mike Graziano (grazmike@gmail.com).
(AAR) Religion, Culture, and the Arts
The Religion, Culture, and the Arts section seeks papers and panel proposals for the 2015 Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion. All papers related to religion, culture, and the arts will be considered. Special consideration will be given to papers or panels related to the following themes: (1) Disability and/or disability studies in religion, culture, and the arts; (2) Transnationalism and identity formation in art, music, or culture; (3) Sacred texts as literature or art; (4) Open call. Please submit proposals to both section chairs, Cara Burnidge (burnidge@gmail.com) and Andrew McKee (andyrmckee1@gmail.com). Religion, Culture and the Arts will also host a joint session with Religions in America. Proposals related to Religion and Music in America, especially Nashville’s gospel and country music industry, are encouraged. To submit to this joint session, please send proposals to Joshua Fleer (jfleer@fsu.edu) and Cara Burnidge (burnidge@gmail.com) .
(AAR) Religions in America
Papers in all areas of Religions in America will be considered, but special consideration will be given to the following themes: (1) In cooperation with the Religion, Culture, and the Arts Section, papers that explore the theme of religion and music in America. Special interest will be given to papers about Nashville and/or gospel and country. All proposals on religion and music will be considered. (2) In cooperation with the Black Cultures in the Study of Religion Section, papers that explore the theme race, religion, and film. The year 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of Birth of a Nation. (3) In cooperation with the Teaching and Learning Religion Section, papers that explore the theme “Learning Curves: The Challenges of Teaching about Religions in America.” Proposals should be submitted with copies to both Sections. Please send proposals to Joshua Fleer (jfleer@fsu.edu), Monica Reed (mcreed@lsu.edu), Reginaldo Braga, Jr. (rpb7@columbia.edu), and Derrick Lemons (dlemons@uga.edu). (4) Open call: Proposals that advance theoretical or methodological approaches in the study of North American religions. Please send proposals to Joshua Fleer (jfleer@fsu.edu) and Monica Reed (mcreed@lsu.edu). In addition, for the joint session with Religion, Culture and the Arts, please also send proposals to Cara Burnidge (burnidge@gmail.com). For the joint session with Black Cultures in the Study of Religion, please also send proposals to Joseph Winters (jwinter6@uncc.edu). For the joint session with Teaching and Learning Religion Section, please also send proposals to Reginaldo Braga Jr. (rpb7@columbia.edu) and Derrick Lemons (dlemons@uga.edu).
(AAR) Religions of Asia
Themes: (1) In conjunction with the 2015 theme, “disability,” we solicit proposals on the issue of disabilities in Asian religions in religious texts, traditions, law/practice, ritual, and religious community. (2) A joint session with Philosophy of Religion on “philosophy of religion and religious diversity.”* (3) Place and pilgrimage in Asian religions (a joint session with AAR Religions of Asia and SBL Hebrew Bible/Old Testament) (4) Music in Asian religions. (5) Open call. Send questions and proposals to Lisa Battaglia, Samford University (lbattagl@samford.edu) and Warner Belanger, Georgia College (warner.belanger@gcsu.edu). *For the joint session on religious diversity, please include Nathan Eric Dickman (nedickman@yhc.edu).
(AAR) Teaching and Learning Religion
For the 2015 meeting, we offer the following calls for papers for joint sessions with Religions in America and Method and Theory of Religion, and one open call solo session. (1) Joint session: In cooperation with the Method and Theory of Religion Section calls for papers that explore the theme “Millennials and Pedagogy.” We seek papers that explore pedagogical challenges that come from teaching millennials as well as innovative techniques designed to better address millennials. (2) Joint session: In cooperation with the Religions in America Section calls for papers that explore the theme “Learning Curves: The Challenges of Teaching about Religions in America.” (3) Open session: Proposals (papers or a panel) that join innovative teaching practice with the scholarship of teaching and learning. E-mail proposal for the joint session on “Millennials and Pedagogy” to Reginaldo Braga Jr. (rpb7@columbia.edu) and Derrick Lemons (dlemons@uga.edu) with copy to Randall Reed (reedrw@appstate.edu) and Laura Ammon (AmmonLL@appstate.edu). E-mail proposals for joint session on “Learning Curves: The Challenges of Teaching about Religions in America.” to Reginaldo Braga Jr. (rpb7@columbia.edu) and Derrick Lemons (dlemons@uga.edu with copy to Joshua Fleer (jfleer@fsu.edu) and Monica Reed (monicacreed@lsu.edu). E-mail proposals for the open session to Drs. Reginaldo Braga Jr. (rpb7@columbia.edu) and Derrick Lemons (dlemons@uga.edu).
(AAR) Women, Gender and Religion
The Women, Gender and Religion Group provides a space for scholars to foreground issues of women’s studies, gender, and sexuality, whether in critical analysis of and dialogue with religious traditions or texts; in the promotion of the perspectives, insights, and experiences of marginalized persons; or in the ongoing effort to theorize difference so that lives and systems may be changed. To that end, we have (1) An open call for papers on any topic that falls within the scope of the group; and (2) A call for papers that treat the intersection of gender studies and disability studies. Examples include engagement with the vibrant strains of queer and feminist work on ability; exegesis of gender and healing narratives in sacred texts or testimonies; understandings of crisis and/or violence around gender or sexuality; consideration of rhetorics and ethics surrounding medical issues for transgender or intersex individuals; and exploration of the conflation of gender or sexual difference with disability. E-mail proposals to Vicki Phillips (phillips_v@wvwc.edu) and Richard Coble (richard.r.coble@vanderbilt.edu).
Undergraduate Research
Students at institutions in the Southeast Region are invited to submit papers for the undergraduate sessions, sponsored by SECSOR. Open to all topics, the sessions will be composed of the papers considered the best submissions by an interdisciplinary committee. Students should submit completed papers that reflect original student research of an appropriate length for presentation (approximately twelve double-spaced pages). No paper over fifteen (15) double-spaced pages, regular-size font, will be considered; one submission per student. On a cover page, please include contact information for the student and a faculty sponsor who has reviewed the submission. Electronic submissions preferred. Send submissions by December 15, 2014, to Lynn R. Huber, Elon University (lhuber@elon.edu). Note: Undergraduates may submit proposals to other sections as well.
