2015 Pacific Northwest Region Call for Papers

2015 Pacific Northwest Regional Meeting Marylhurst University Portland, Oregon March 27–29, 2015

2015 Regional Meeting

General Information

Our 2015 Annual Meeting will be held at Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon, March 27–29, 2015.

SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014.

General Guidelines for Submitting Proposals

• Step 1: Complete the Participant Form for any proposal submitted. Carefully note any audiovisual equipment you require before you submit your proposal.
• Step 2: E-mail with Attachments: Submit your proposal (Participant Form) via e-mail attachment to the program unit chair/cochairs no later than Sunday, November 16, 2014. 
• Step 3: Notification of your proposal's acceptance status for the Annual Regional Meeting program will be sent by Monday, December 15, 2014.

General Participation Requirements at the Regional Meeting

• Membership to AAR, SBL or ASOR is not required to submit a proposal in response to the Call for Papers.
• All participants accepted to the program must be registered for the Regional Meeting by February 28, 2015.
• You must make your own travel arrangements to Marylhurst University.

Registration and Housing

• Regisration and housign information will be available on the region's website in mid-January 2015 (www.pnw-aarsbl.org).

SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PROGRAM UNIT CHAIR/CO-CHAIRS USING THE “Individual Proposal Participant Form for Submissions 2015” (click on the title to open)

Call for Papers

Special Joint Session—Conflicting Truth Claims in the Classroom: Navigating the Impasse Between Cultural Memory and Historiographic Method and Sources

For far too many students “the past” is little more than continuity cultivated through careful selection and romantic memorializing of select events. This continuity becomes a truth claim that conflicts in the classroom with the truth claims of primary sources and academic methodology. Each professor of religion is called to help students navigate and resolve this conflict.

This joint session will bring together teacher-scholars from different units in the PNW AAR/SBL region to discuss common teaching challenges. The purpose of this session is to generate cross-disciplinary conversation on this topic. We are inviting higher-education professionals who teach at the undergraduate level to reflect on the intersection of their disciplinary expertise and teaching experiences and submit a paper proposal (500–700 words).

Participants will be asked to address in depth at least two of the following questions:

1. What are the challenges of teaching religion in light of multiple challenges posed by the cultural memory attached to the history and the texts? 
2. What are some strategies for teaching religion in light of the diversity of the cultural memory of undergraduate students in North America, cultural memory that is shaped by—but not limited to——diversity of first language, educational, economic and ethnic backgrounds?
3. What are some helpful strategies in addressing and/or resolving the conflicts between competing truth claims (i.e. those stemming from cultural memory versus those stemming from by primary sources and academic methodology)? 
4. What are some challenges of teaching religion in light of the multiple dimensions of cultural memory to a generation of students whose educational narratives have been largely shaped in North American by the advances of the digital age? Further, what are some strategies for teaching in this context?

Guidelines

1. Please submit your proposals for Option 2 directly to both of the codirectors: Antonios Finitsis (finitsak@plu.edu) and Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen (ihssenbl@plu.edu).
2. Please keep in mind that you will have twenty minutes for your presentation.
3. There is a possibility of a travel/lodging stipend for your presentation. Details on funding will be available in late October. Please check the regional website for updates on funding.

American Schools of Oriental Research 2015

Description of the Goals and Rationale
The program unit is affiliated with the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) whose mission is to initiate, encourage and support research into, and public understanding of, the peoples and cultures of the Near East from the earliest times. As such, the Unit is concerned with:

• Fostering original research, archaeological excavations, and explorations
• Encouraging scholarship in basic languages, cultural histories and traditions of the ANE
• Offering opportunities for all levels of scholarship, especially students, to share their research

Chair
Roger W. Anderson, an ASOR member, is the coordinator of the unit. He currently is an independent scholar working on the final excavation report for Early Bronze Age Tell el Hesi. He may be reached at rwander48@comcast.net. The term is thee years and Roger is in the second term (2013–2016).

Call for Papers
The Pacific Northwest Region of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) Archaeology and Languages of the Ancient Near East invites submission of paper topics for the annual regional meeting. Papers detailing original research, archaeological excavations, and explorations in all aspects related to ancient Near Eastern archaeology and basic ancient Near Eastern languages are welcome.Undergraduate and graduate students and independent scholars are especially welcome to present dissertation and paper research in either category. Please submit abstract proposals directly to the chair (see email address above).

Arts and Religion 2015

Description of the Goals and Rationale 
The Arts and Religion Section provides a space for interdisciplinary exploration of religion through the arts (in broad contexts). We invite multiple perspectives, embodied passionate scholarship, and rich discussion of the vital role arts have played and continue to play in attempts to create meaning of the human condition, and to address the enduring questions posed by the world's religions and spiritual traditions. 

Cochairs 
Susan G. Carter, Marylhurst University and The California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), scarter@marylhurst.edu; and Louise M. Pare,Center for Women in Global Community, Independent Scholar, lmpare849@aol.com (second term, 2013–2016) 

Call for Papers 
The arts have always played a part in world religions and spiritual traditions through the use of image, symbol, ritual, music, percussion, dance, poetry, theatre, storytelling (myth and folklore), architecture, and geomancy. This program unit welcomes individual papers or panel proposals on any topic, from ancient to contemporary, which explore the arts and religion. Papers exploring traditional institutionalized religions as well as world spiritual traditions (including indigenous and oral traditions) are welcome. Proposals should be submitted by email directly to the cochairs.

Asian and Comparative Studies 2015

Description of the Goals and Rationale 
To promote scholarship in non-Western areas of religion and theology and to assess various comparative methods of investigation.

Chair 
Nick Gier, University of Idaho, ngier@uidaho.edu (fourth term, 2012–2015) 

Call for Papers
Abstracts of papers on topics in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Please submit abstracts directly to the chair (see email address above).

Hebrew Bible 2015

Description of the Goals and Rationale

Since the biblical Hebrew texts are part of the larger category of "biblical texts," the rationale for the Hebrew Bible session falls naturally within the mandate of the SBL, the central  purpose of which is “...advancing the academic study of biblical texts and their contexts as well as of the traditions and contexts of biblical interpretation.”

The primary goal of the Hebrew Bible session is to foster study and interaction in the field, more specifically:

• To promote academic dialogue between scholars in the Pacific Northwest Region.
• To showcase and promote research in the Hebrew Bible.
• To advance the quality of research and writing in the area of Hebrew Bible by mentoring and recommending work for publication.
• To provide mentoring and opportunities for graduate students to present their work to the Hebrew Bible session, thus incorporating new scholars into the greater goals of the SBL.

Chair
Antonios Finitsis (finitsak@plu.edu) (second term: 2013–2016)

Call for Papers

1. Hebrew Bible Research Group on Clothing 2014–2016 (second year)

The Hebrew Bible Unit continues to promote and support work of the research group on the topic of clothing in the Hebrew Bible. The goal of this group is the sustained examination of the multivalent importance of clothing in ancient Israel. This group works closely in the manner of a think tank. Its work will lead to a publication that will showcase the research of the PNW Hebrew Bible scholars. We have completed the first year of work and we welcome new submissions. Each participant undertakes the investigation of a topic that s/he selects and shares her/his research with the rest of the group for peer review, brainstorming and feedback. The members of this group will meet again during the Pacific Northwest SBL AAR ASOR 2015 meeting. The minimum commitment time to this research group is two years.

If you are interested in participating during the 2014–15 academic year please send an email to the chair of the Hebrew Bible Unit (Antonios Finitsis: finitsak@plu.edu) by December 1, 2014. Please include in your email the tentative title and a 200–300-word description of your project. Thank you.

2. Joint Session: Conflicting Truth Claims in the Classroom: Navigating the Impasse Between Cultural Memory and Historiographic Method and Sources

For far too many students “the past” is little more than continuity cultivated through careful selection and romantic memorializing of select events. This continuity becomes a truth claim that conflicts in the classroom with the truth claims of primary sources and academic methodology. Each professor of religion is called to help students navigate and resolve this conflict.

This joint session will bring together teacher-scholars from different units in the PNW AAR/SBL region to discuss common teaching challenges. The purpose of this session is to generate cross-disciplinary conversation on this topic. We are inviting higher-education professionals who teach at the undergraduate level to reflect on the intersection of their disciplinary expertise and teaching experiences and submit a paper proposal (500–700 words).

Participants will be asked to address in depth at least two of the following questions:

• What are the challenges of teaching religion in light of multiple challenges posed by the cultural memory attached to the history and the texts?
• What are some strategies for teaching religion in light of the diversity of the cultural memory of undergraduate students in North America, cultural memory that is shaped by—but not limited to—diversity of first language, educational, economic and ethnic backgrounds?
• What are some helpful strategies in addressing and/or resolving the conflicts between competing truth claims (i.e. those stemming from cultural memory versus those stemming from by primary sources and academic methodology)?
• What are some challenges of teaching religion in light of the multiple dimensions of cultural memory to a generation of students whose educational narratives have been largely shaped in North American by the advances of the digital age? Further, what are some strategies for teaching in this context?

Guidelines for submitting to the joint session:

1. Please submit your proposals directly to both of the codirectors: Antonios Finitsis (finitsak@plu.edu) and Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen (ihssenbl@plu.edu)
2. Please keep in mind that you will have twenty minutes for your presentation.
3. There is a possibility of a travel/lodging stipend for your presentation. Details on funding will be available in late October. Please check the regional website for updates on funding.

3. General Call

We welcome papers on any topic related to Hebrew Bible, with priority given to papers that deal with language and linguistics, wisdom literature, and prophetic literature. Early proposals are especially welcome with the goal of organizing a panel discussion for a regional scholar's recent work and/or organizing a thematic topic session. Graduate students are required to send full copies of their papers for consideration. Proposals should be emailed directly to the chair, Antonios Finitsis: finitsak@plu.edu.

If you have further questions please contact the PNW Hebrew Bible chair: Antonios Finitsis, Pacific Lutheran University, finitsak@plu.edu (first term, 2013–2016)

History of Christianity and North American Religion 2015

Questions about the session can be directed to the cochairs: Jon Kershner, jon.kershner@gmail.com and Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen, Pacific Lutheran University, ihssenbl@plu.edu.

Call for Papers

1. General Call

Papers are welcome in any area of the History of Christianity and North American Religions. Proposals are especially invited on the following themes:

• Papers reflecting current research in the history of Christianity (any era).
• Papers related to the history and practice of North American religions.
• Papers that contribute to a joint discussion with the Mormon Studies on the history of Mormonism.

Guidelines:

1. Please submit proposals by email to the cochairs, Jon Kershner, jon.kershner@gmail.com and Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen, ihssenbl@plu.edu.
2. Paper proposals should be 200–300 words.
3. Please keep in mind that papers should be no longer than twenty minutes in length.

2. Joint-Session: Conflicting Truth Claims in the Classroom: Navigating the Impasse Between Cultural Memory and Historiographic Method and Sources

For far too many students “the past” is little more than continuity cultivated through careful selection and romantic memorializing of select events. This continuity becomes a truth claim that conflicts in the classroom with the truth claims of primary sources and academic methodology. Each professor of religion is called to help students navigate and resolve this conflict. This joint session will bring together teacher-scholars from different units in the PNW AAR/SBL region to discuss common teaching challenges. The purpose of this session is to generate cross-disciplinary conversation on this topic. We are inviting higher-education professionals who teach at the undergraduate level to reflect on the intersection of their disciplinary expertise and teaching experiences and submit a paper proposal (500–700 words).

Participants will be asked to address in depth at least two of the following questions:

1. What are the challenges of teaching religion in light of multiple challenges posed by the cultural memory attached to the history and the texts?
2. What are some strategies for teaching religion in light of the diversity of the cultural memory of undergraduate students in North America, cultural memory that is shaped by—but not limited to—diversity of first language, educational, economic and ethnic backgrounds?
3. What are some helpful strategies in addressing and/or resolving the conflicts between competing truth claims (i.e. those stemming from cultural memory versus those stemming from by primary sources and academic methodology)?
4. What are some challenges of teaching religion in light of the multiple dimensions of cultural memory to a generation of students whose educational narratives have been largely shaped in North America by the advances of the digital age? Further, what are some strategies for teaching in this context?

Guidelines for submitting to the joint session:

1. Please submit proposals directly to both of the codirectors: Antonios Finitsis (finitsak@plu.edu) and Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen (ihssenbl@plu.edu) .
2. Please keep in mind that you will have twenty minutes for your presentation.
3. There is a possibility of a travel/lodging stipend for your presentation. Details on funding will be available in late October. Please check the regional website for updates on funding.

New Testament and the World of Early Christianity 2015

Description of the Goals and Rationale

This program unit provides an opportunity to discuss topics in New Testament and related interdisciplinary studies, such as Hebrew Bible and Early Christianity, as well as topics relating to Hellenistic Religions and related literature. While the name of the program unit has recently changed (from New Testament and Hellenistic religions), the focus of the unit has not, as we strive to be inclusive of a wide range of topics of interest to the study of early Christian writings and the world in which they developed.

Cochairs

Kent Yinger, George Fox University, kyinger@georgefox.edu (second term, 2012–2015); and Ron Clark, George Fox Evangelical Seminary,  rclark@agapecoc.com (first term, 2014–2017).

Call for Papers

We welcome papers reflecting the research endeavors especially of Pacific Northwest scholars in the fields of New Testament and the world of Early Christianity. This year our program unit will host several different sessions.

1. Greco-Roman Environment and Early Christian Movements (Coordinator: Anne Moore). We invite papers on the influence of Greco-Roman culture on various forms of early Christianity and their writings (including noncanonical texts), as well as on the reception of early Christian texts in Greco-Roman circles.

2. Open session. All topics relevant to the program unit are invited.

3. Book panel(s). We are interested in conducting a book review panel for one or more books published in the past year by participants in the New Testament and the World of Early Christianity program unist. If you will have had a relevant book published by the time of the 2015 regional meeting, send suggestions directly to the chairpersons.

For the above three sessions, please submit abstracts directly to the cochairs (see email addresses above).

4. Joint Session: Conflicting Truth Claims in the Classroom: Navigating the Impasse Between Cultural Memory and Historiographic Method and Sources.

For far too many students “the past” is little more than continuity cultivated through careful selection and romantic memorializing of select events. This continuity becomes a truth claim that conflicts in the classroom with the truth claims of primary sources and academic methodology. Each professor of religion is called to help students navigate and resolve this conflict.

This joint session will bring together teacher-scholars from different units in the PNW AAR/SBL region to discuss common teaching challenges. The purpose of this session is to generate crossdisciplinary conversation on this topic. We are inviting higher-education professionals who teach at the undergraduate level to reflect on the intersection of their disciplinary expertise and teaching experiences and submit a paper proposal (500–700 words). Participants will be asked to address in depth at least two of the following questions:

• What are the challenges of teaching religion in light of multiple challenges posed by the cultural memory attached to the history and the texts?
• What are some st rategies for teaching religion in light of the diversity of the cultural memory of undergraduate students in North America, cultural memory that is shaped by—but not limited to—diversity of first language, educational, economic and ethnic backgrounds?
• What are some helpful strategies in addressing and/or resolving the conflicts between competing truth claims (i.e. those stemming from cultural memory versus those stemming from by primary sources and academic methodology)?
• What are some challenges of teaching religion in light of the multiple dimensions of cultural memory to a generation of students whose educational narratives have been largely shaped in North American by the advances of the digital age? Further, what are some strategies for teaching in this context?

Guidelines for submitting to the joint session:

1. 1. Please submit your proposals directly to both of the codirectors: Antonios Finitsis (finitsak@plu.edu) and Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen (ihssenbl@plu.edu).
2. Please keep in mind that you will have twenty minutes for your presentation.
3. There is a possibility of a travel/lodging stipend for your presentation. Details on funding will be available in late October. Please check the regional website for updates on funding.

Religion and Society 2015

Description of the Goals and Rationale

The Religion and Society Section creates a space for the interdisciplinary analysis of religion, ethics, social science, and current events in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. Our goal is to make space for academic presentations and for significant dialogue about them.

Cochairs

Bruce Hiebert, University Canada West, brucehiebert@shaw.ca (second term, 2014–2017); and Mari Kim, Independent Scholar, marikim@me.com (first term, 2014–2017).

Call for Papers

All topics related to ethics, contemporary social issues, and social scientific perspectives on religion are welcome. We encourage papers offering academic perspectives on current events and recurring themes in our session's discussions: war and violence, religion and ecology, religion and science, and religion and neuroscience. Proposals should be submitted directly to the chairs (see email addresses above).

Special Topics – Mormon Studies 2015

Description of the Goals and Rationale

This special topic of Mormon Studies promotes the exploration of a wide range of topics relating to Mormonism. This section seeks to provide scholarly inquiry into Mormon history, culture, belief and practice, theology, scripture, and the role of Mormonism in contemporary politics. This section encourages the study of Mormonism from multiple disciplines and methodologies. This section will better equip those in the academy to teach on the subject of Mormonism and actively promotes opportunities for interfaith dialogue.

Cochairs

Kirk Caudle, Independent Scholar, mixlom@msn.com; and Susanna Morrill, Lewis & Clark College, smorrill@lclark.edu (third term; 2012–2015)

Call for Papers

Papers are welcome in any area of Mormon Studies. We encourage papers from multiple disciplinary and methodological perspectives and especially invite proposals on the following themes:

1. Papers that consider the history and culture of Mormonism, especially those that discuss the social and religious impact of women and minorities. Papers that contribute to a joint discussion with the Women and Religion section are especially encouraged this year.

2. Papers on the development of Mormon beliefs and practices, scripture, ethics, and theology.

3. Papers related to interfaith dialogue between Mormonism and other Christian (and non - Christian) faith traditions.

4. Papers related to Mormonism and contemporary politics.

5. Papers that consider the place of Mor mon Studies within the academic study of religion.

6. Papers that place Mormonism within the larger context of North American culture and religions. Papers that contribute to a joint discussion with the North American Religions section are especially encouraged this year.

Submit paper proposals directly to the cochairs (see email addresses above).

We are also attaching a CFP for the following joint session involving though who teaching within Mormon Studies:

7. Conflicting Truth Claims in the Classroom: Navigating the Impasse Between Cultural Memory and Historiographic Method and Sources

For far too many students “the past” is little more than continuity cultivated through careful selection and romantic memorializing of select events. This continuity becomes a truth claim that conflicts in the classroom with the truth claims of primary sources and academic methodology. Each professor of religion is called to help students navigate and resolve this conflict.

This joint session will bring together teacher-scholars from different units in the PNW AAR/SBL region to discuss common teaching challenges. The purpose of this session is to generate crossdisciplinary conversation on this topic. We are inviting higher-education professionals who teach at the undergraduate level to reflect on the intersection of their disciplinary expertise and teaching experiences and submit a paper proposal (500–700 words). Participants will be asked to address in depth at least two of the following questions:

• What are the challenges of teaching religion in light of multiple challenges posed by the cultural memory attached to the history and the texts?
• What are some strategies for teaching religion in light of the diversity of the cultural memory of undergraduate students in North America, cultural memory that is shaped by — but not limited to — diversity of first language, educational, economic and ethnic backgrounds?
• What are some helpful strategies in addressing and/or resolving the conflicts between competing truth claims (i.e. those stemming from cultural memory versus those stemming from by primary sources and academic methodology)?
• What are some challenges of teaching religion in light of the multiple dimensions of cultur al memory to a generation of students whose educational narratives have been largely shaped in North American by the advances of the digital age? Further, what are some strategies for teaching in this context?

Guidelines for submitting to the joint session:

1. Please submit your proposals directly to both of the codirectors: Antonios Finitsis (finitsak@plu.edu) and Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen (ihssenbl@plu.edu)
2. Please keep in mind that you will have twenty minutes for your presentation.
3. There is a possibility of a travel/lodging stipend for your presentation. Details on funding will be available in late October. Please check the regional website for updates on funding.

Theology and Philosophy of Religion 2015

Description of the Goals and Rationale

The Theology and Philosophy of Religion Section exists to provide a forum for scholars to critically examine politics, scriptures, ethics, history, art, literature and/or culture from explicitly philosophical and theological perspectives. We welcome diverse perspectives, and encourage the collegiality of frank and open dialogue between and among disciplinary areas.

Cochairs

Norman Metzler, Concordia University, nmetzler@cu-portland.edu; and Sarah Gallant, Independent Scholar, smgallant@hotmail.com (first term, 2014–2017).

Call for Papers

The Theology and Philosophy of Religion Section welcomes proposals for papers or panels concerning any aspect of theology and/or the philosophy of religion. Proposals that address one or more of the following topics are especially encouraged:

1. Emotion and Epistemology; the place of affect in knowledge/knowing

2. Apocalypticism and Environmental Theories/Theologies

3. Trauma and Religion, Theologies of Trauma, Religious Reflection on Trauma

4. Evolutionary Anthropologies

5. Philosophies of Religion

6. Theologies of Creation and Environment

7. Theology and Narratives

8. Narrative, Symbol, and Metaphor in Theology

Proposals should be submitted directly to the chairpersons, Sarah Gallant, smgallant@hotmail.com, and Norman Metzler, nmetzler@cu-portland.edu. If the presenter would prefer to avoid a particular time due to religious observance (e.g. Friday night or Sunday morning), please include this information in the proposal and we will do our best to accommodate all requests.

Please note that there will also be a special session on “Conflicting Truth Claims in the Classroom,” which will be organized in coordination with the History of Christianity and North American Religions section and the Hebrew Bible section. The call for papers for this session may be found below:

9. Conflicting Truth Claims in the Classroom: Navigating the Impasse Between Cultural Memory and Historiographic Method and Sources

For far too many students “the past” is little more than continuity cultivated through careful selection and romantic memorializing of select events. This continuity becomes a truth claim that conflicts in the classroom with the truth claims of primary sources and academic methodology. Each professor of religion is called to help students navigate and resolve this conflict.

This joint session will bring together teacher-scholars from different units in the PNW AAR/SBL region to discuss common teaching challenges. The purpose of this session is to generate crossdisciplinary conversation on this topic. We are inviting higher-education professionals who teach at the undergraduate level to reflect on the intersection of their disciplinary expertise and teaching experiences and submit a paper proposal (500–700 words).

Participants will be asked to address in depth at least two of the following questions:

• What are the challenges of teaching religion in light of multiple challenges posed by the cultural memory attached to the history and the texts?
• What are some strategies for teaching religion in light of the diversity of the cultural memory of undergraduate students in North America, cultural memory that is shaped by—but not limited to—diversity of first language, educational, economic and ethnic backgrounds?
• What are some helpful strategies in addressing and/or resolving the conflicts between competing truth claims (i.e. those stemming from cultural memory versus those stemming from by primary sources and academic methodology)?
• What are some challenges of teaching religion in light of the multiple dimensions of cultural memory to a generation of students whose educational narratives have been largely shaped in North American by the advances of the digital age? Further, what are some strategies for teaching in this context?

Guidelines for submitting to the joint session:

1. Please submit your proposals directly to both of the codirectors: Antonios Finitsis (finitsak@plu.edu) and Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen (ihssenbl@plu.edu)
2. Please keep in mind that you will have twenty minutes for your presentation.
3. There is a possibility of a travel/lodging stipend for your presentation. Details on funding will be available in late October. Please check the regional website for updates on funding.

Study of Islam 2015

Cochairs

Jocelyn Hendrickson, University of Alberta, jnhendri@ualberta.ca; and Paul Powers, Lewis & Clark College, ppowers@lclark.edu ((first term, 2012–2015).

Call for Papers

1. General. We encourage proposals for individual papers or full panels investigating any aspect of historical or contemporary Islam, including but not limited to Islamic texts, practices, law, history, and theology. For the 2015 meeting, we especially welcome proposals dealing with issues of women and gender in Islamic societies, with Islam and Muslims in North America, and with modern Islamic thought . All proposals should be submitted directly to the cochairs via email (see email addresses above).

2. Pedagogy Panel. We also seek participants for our annual pedagogy roundtable, focused this year on teaching about women and gender in Islamic societies. If you are interested in participating in the pedagogy roundtable, please contact cochair Paul Powers by e-mail (ppowers@lclark.edu).Specialists as well as interested nonspecialists are welcome.

3. Joint Session: Conflicting Truth Claims in the Classroom: Navigating the Impasse Between Cultural Memory and Historiographic Method and Sources. This year, our unit is invited to participate in a joint session on strategies pertaining to the navigation and resolution of conflicting truth claims (the ones stemming from cultural memory versus the ones stemming from primary sources and academic methodology). Students in the Pacific Northwest are largely unaware of—or little concerned by—the fact that they are highly influenced by cultural memory. Nevertheless, this is a realization they have to face and address in most courses on religion. As such, this session is designed to attract and to serve teacher-scholars from the PNW region who are interested in topics concerning teaching and learning at the undergraduate level. For more information on the joint session, including details for submitting a proposal, please contact Antonios Finitsis (finitsak@plu.edu) and/or Brenda Ihssen (ihssenbl@plu.edu).

Women and Religion 2015

Description of the Goals and Rationale

This section explores the lives of women in religion from antiquity to the modern era. It is a forum for the inquiry into literary and material culture of the activity and presence of women in religion and the history of interpretation. It is also a forum for how female and gender related issues are portrayed in sacred texts.

Cochairs

Elizabeth Goldstein, Gonzaga University, goldstein@gonzaga.edu (first term, 2013–2016); and Valarie Ziegler, DePauw University, vziegler@depauw.edu (second term, 2012–2015).

Call for Papers

AAR: We invite individual papers or panels on any aspect of the study of women and religion. This section especially welcomes proposals that facilitate crossdisciplinary and/or religious traditions in the study of women. Papers exploring feminist pedagogy are also welcome.

SBL: We invite proposals on women in religious literature including, but not limited to, ancient Greek and Roman, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Asian religions.

Papers that contribute to a joint discussion with Mormon studies are especially welcome this year. We are interested in papers that deal with lives of Mormon women in religion and culture and any portrayals of women in Mormon sacred texts. Proposals should be submitted directly to the cochairs (see email addresses above).