2016 Pacific Northwest Regional Meeting Call for Papers
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2016 Pacific Northwest Regional MeetingUniversity of Idaho
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2016 Call for Papers
American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR)
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
Gloria London, Tall al-‘Umayri Teachers’ Institute (glondon@earthlink.net)
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.
Arts and Religion
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 (scarter@marylhurst.edu ) and Louise M. Pare, Center for Women in Global Community, Independent Scholar (lmpare849@aol.com)
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, theater, 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 directly to the cochairs.
Asian and Comparative Studies
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)
Call for Papers
Abstracts of papers on topics in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Hebrew Bible
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 2016 meeting. The minimum commitment time to this research group is two years.
If you are interested in participating during the 2015–16 academic year, please send an e-mail to the chair of the Hebrew Bible Unit, Antonios Finitsis, by December 1, 2015. Please include in your e-mail the tentative title and a 200–300-word description of your project. Thank you.
2. 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 submitted to the chair, Antonios Finitsis (finitsak@plu.edu).
If you have further questions please contact the PNW Hebrew Bible chair, Antonios Finitsis.
History of Christianity and North American Religions
Description of the Goals and Rationale
This program unit invites both historians of Christianity and scholars studying North American religions to present their research and engage in collegial discussion of their work. Review panels of selected new works in these fields are also included in the sessions. The section seeks to develop an ongoing dialogue and network among participants.
Cochairs
Jon Kershner (jon.kershner@gmail.com) and Timothy Burdick, Trinity Lutheran College, (timburdick@comcast.net)
Call for Papers
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 and its expressions in the public square.
- Papers related to religious understandings of World War I and its repercussions.
Guidelines
- Please submit proposals electronically to the section chairs
- Paper proposals should be 200–300 words
- Please keep in mind that papers should be no longer than 20 minutes in length
New Testament and the World of Early Christianity
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
Ron Clark, George Fox Evangelical Seminary (rclark@georgefox.edu) and Kent L. Yinger (ret.), George Fox Evangelical Seminary (kyinger@georgefox.edu)
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.
- Greco-Roman Environment and Early Christian Movements (Coordinator: Anne Moore, amoore@ucalgary.ca). 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.
- Open session. All topics relevant to the program unit are invited.
- 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 PU. If you will have had a relevant book published by the time of the 2016 regional meeting, send suggestions directly to the chairpersons.
Religion and Society
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) and Mari Kim, Independent Scholar (marikim@me.com)
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.
Special Topics: Mormonism
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:
- 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.
- Papers on the development of Mormon beliefs and practices, scripture, ethics, and theology.
- Papers related to interfaith dialogue between Mormonism and other Christian (and non-Christian) faith traditions.
- Papers related to Mormonism and contemporary politics.
- Papers that consider the place of Mormon studies within the academic study of religion.
- 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.
Study of Islam
Description of the Goals and Rationale
The Study of Islam Program Unit fosters intellectual exchange and collaboration among regional scholars working in any area of Islamic studies. In addition to research panels, we host an annual roundtable devoted to a topic of current pedagogical concern, and we have launched an annual film series. We welcome papers from academics at any career stage.
Chair
Paul Powers, Lewis & Clark College (ppowers@lclark.edu)
Call for Papers
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. All proposals should be submitted electronically.
Pedagogy Panel: We also seek participants for our annual pedagogy roundtable, this year on the theme of “Making Sense of ISIS in the Classroom.” This session will consider ways to deal both directly and indirectly with jihadist movements in general and the self-proclaimed “Islamic State” in particular. We will discuss possible resources, pedagogical strategies, and student projects. Even in classes not dealing directly with related topics, the actions of ISIS likely have an affect on how students (perhaps especially non-Muslim students) approach Islam and Muslims. Anticipating such affects may lead to better classroom outcomes. If you are interested in participating in the pedagogy roundtable, please contact chair Paul Powers by e-mail (ppowers@lclark.edu) rather than submitting a proposal through the online system. Specialists as well as interested nonspecialists are welcome.
Philosophy of Religion and Theology
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, Professor Emeritus of Theology, 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:
- Emotion and epistemology; the place of affect in knowledge/knowing
- Apocalypticism and environmental theories/theologies
- Trauma and religion, theologies of trauma, religious reflection on trauma
- Evolutionary anthropologies
- Philosophies of religion
- Theologies of creation and environment
- Theology and narratives
- 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.
Women and Religion
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) and Valarie Ziegler, DePauw University (vziegler@depauw.edu)
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 cross-disciplinary 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. Proposals should be submitted directly to the cochairs.
Guidelines for Submitting Proposals
- Step 1: Complete the Individual Proposal Participant Form for Submissions (click on the title to open) 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 email attachment to the Program Unit Chair/Co-Chairs no later than Friday, January 15, 2016.
- Step 3: Notification of your proposal’s acceptance status for the Annual Regional Meeting program will be sent by Monday, February 15, 2016.
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 March 31, 2016.
- You must make your own travel arrangements to the University of Idaho.
Registration and Housing
- Registration and housing information will be available on the Region’s website in March 2016 (www.pnw-aarsbl.org).
