2016 Southeast Region Call for Papers
 |
2016 Southeast Regional MeetingAtlanta, GA
|
Call for Papers
Come and join us in Atlanta, GA for the Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion (SECSOR) Regional meeting on March 4–6, 2016!
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 5, 2015. 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 audiovisual 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 ensure 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, 2015, 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 twelve (12) pages no later than January 15, 2016.
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, 2016.
SBL members presenting to one of the SBL sections who have defended their dissertation between March 2012 and March 2016 are encouraged to apply to be considered for the SBL Regional Scholar Award. For more information on the requirements for consideration, please contact Dr. Annie Tinsley: (annietinsley14@gmail.com).
(ASOR) Archaeology and the Ancient World
Themes: (1) Presidential Address; (2) Current Excavations: Reports from the Field; (3) Text and Artifact: Integrating Literary Sources and Material Culture; (4) Open Session: papers are invited on topics related to archaeology and religion. Please send your proposal or complete paper (required of first-time presenters) to Byron R. McCane (mccanebr@wofford.edu). Student papers will be considered for the Joseph A. Callaway Award.
(AAR) Bible and Modern Culture
Themes: (1) Open call for papers broadly relating to the Bible and Modern Culture. (2) "Ritual/Cultural Practices: Holy Texts, Holy Actions, Holy Lives." We welcome proposals on this broad theme of interaction with the Holy, including those dealing literature, literary or historical analysis, biography, current or historical aspects of culture, anthropology or sociology, etc. Send proposals for the above two sessions to Professor Brian Mooney (brian.mooney@jwu.edu) or Dr. Finbar Benjamin (fbenjamin@oakwood.edu). (3) Cosponsored session with New Testament and Method and Theory in the Study of Religion. We seek papers on the following: Biblical Studies has often been on the forefront of using new methods and theoretical designs to read ancient texts. We seek papers that analyze the current state of interpretation and hermeneutics, with an emphasis on the theory, application, and critique of new methods. Send proposals for this session to Dr. Randall Reed (reedrw@appstate.edu).
(AAR) Black Cultures and the Study of Religion Call for Papers
Themes: (1) The Black Cultures and the Study of Religion Group welcomes papers that deal with the relationship between hip-hop and religion, especially in the context of Southern-based hip-hop, Atlanta hip-hop culture, and so forth. We seek papers that address the connections between black religiosity and hip-hop culture in response to ongoing accusations of hip-hop as nihilistic. (2) Joint session: The Black Cultures and the Study of Religion, in collaboration with the Women, Gender, and Religion Group, welcome papers that address and interrogate the performance of race and gender in contemporary popular media. We seek papers that examine this intersection in film, music, television series, and so forth. We especially invite papers that deal with the depictions of race and gender in the work of Shonda Rhimes, creator of ABC’s Scandal. Send paper proposals to Joseph Winters (jwinter6@uncc.edu) and Richard Coble (richard.r.coble@vanderbilt.edu) Send questions and proposals to Joseph Winters, UNC-Charlotte (jwinter6@uncc.edu) and Jamil Drake, Emory University (jamil.drake@emory.edu)
(AAR) Constructive Theologies
Themes: (1) Joint session with Philosophy of Religion and Religions of Asia on “Apophasis within or across Religions.” (2) Joint session with Religion and Ecology on the ecohermeneutics of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical scheduled for release this year. (3) Open call for papers relating theologies of social location to the 2016 SECSOR theme “Translation and Context.” Submit all proposals to Steven R. Harmon, Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity (sharmon@gardner-webb.edu) and Elizabeth O’Donnell Gandolfo, Wake Forest University (elizabeth.gandolfo@gmail.com). *For the joint session on apophasis within or across religions, please include also Lisa Battaglia (lbattagl@samford.edu), Rachel Pang (rhpang@davidson.edu), and Nathan Eric Dickman (nedickman@yhc.edu); for the joint session on the ecohermeneutics of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical, please include also Todd LeVasseur (levasseurtj@cofc.edu) and Jefferson Calico (jcalico70@gmail.com).
(AAR) Ethics, Religion, and Society
Themes: Proposals on all topics will be considered, but the following topics are encouraged: (1) A joint session with Islam and with Religions of Asia on immigration and religion. (2) Ethics and interreligious dialogue in America. (3) Violence and nonviolence in cultural context. (4) World religions, disability studies, and health. 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 Religions of Asia and Ethics, Religion, and Society also send proposals to Eleanor Finnegan (finneged@gmail.com), Lisa Battaglia (lbattagl@samford.edu), and Rachel Pang (rhpang@davidson.edu).
(SBL) Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
Themes: (1) The Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Section invites proposals for two open sessions, particularly regarding this year’s theme of “translation and contexts.” (2) In addition, we request proposals related to the reception history of biblical texts. We are especially interested in papers exploring how biblical texts have been received in fiction, art, music, and film. How does the translation of biblical texts into these new contexts produce new meaning? (3) A final session will focus on commentary writing and include an invited panel discussion with Carol Newsom and Choon-Leong Seow regarding the future of the commentary. Send proposals for open sessions to cochairs: Phillip Michael Sherman (Phillip.Sherman@maryvillecollege.edu) and Jim West (jwest@highland.net).
(AAR) History of Christianity
Themes: We invite proposals that relate the history of Christianity to the theme of the 2016 meeting, “Translation and Contexts.” Proposals may deal with any period of history and may be conducted from any methodological or theoretical starting point; the theme “Translation and Contexts” may be construed broadly. There will be four sessions. (1) Joint session with Religion and Law entitled, “Conflict and Consensus: Christianity, Civil Rights, and Religious Freedom in the United States.” (2) Joint session with Philosophy of Religion and Method and Theory on “Gadamer and Ricoeur: Thinking Through Translation and Interpretive Contexts.”* (3) Session on “Translation and Contexts in the History of Christianity.” (4) Open call. 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 proposals to Thomas J. Whitley, Florida State University (twhitley@fsu.edu). *For the joint session on Gadamer and Ricoeur, please send proposals to Nathan Eric Dickman, Young Harris College (nedickman@yhc.edu).
(AAR) Islam
Themes: Proposals on all topics in Islamic studies are welcome, but submissions on the theme of "translation" and the following are especially invited: (1) “Immigration and Religion” as part of a joint panel with Religions of Asia and Religion, Ethics, and Society. (2) “Historical Texts/Modern Contexts,” which invites papers which broadly interpret connections or disconnects between scholarship or data from the past and contemporary contexts in scholarship and/or in teaching. (3) “Conversations in Islamic Studies: The Study Qur’an,” which invites discussants for a conversation about the implications and contributions of the The Study Qur’an: A New Translation and Commentary being published by HarperOne. Submit proposals to Eleanor Finnegan, University of Alabama (edfinnegan@ua.edu) and Roshan Iqbal, Agnes Scott College (roshan.iqbal.05@gmail.com). In addition, for the join session with Religions of Asia and Religion, Ethics, and Society also send proposals to Sally Holt, Belmont University (sally.holt@belmont.edu), Michael Stoltzfus, Valdosta State University (mjstoltz@valdosta.edu), Rachel Pang, Davidson College (rhpang@davidson.edu), and Lisa Battaglia, Samford University, (lbattagl@samford.edu).
(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. 3) Second Temple Judaism—any topic, but special consideration given to proposals pertaining to writings among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Submit all paper proposals by e-mail to Michael Fuller, Lee University (mfuller@leeuniversity.edu) and Samuel Kessler, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (skessler@unc.edu).
(AAR) Method and Theory in the Study of Religion
Themes: (1) The Culture on the Edge collective has produced a number works in publishing, social media, and conferences. The participants including Russell McCutcheon, Craig Martin, Monica Miller, Steven Ramey, Merinda Simmons, Leslie Smith, and Vaia Touna have created a collective with increasing visibility in the American religious studies scene. We seek papers that engage this body of work—which comprises an attempt to extend the application of our fields scholarship to other areas of cultural critique—either through critique, analysis, or extension. (2) How has the notion of "spirituality" been shaped in popular and academic literature? This panel seeks papers that investigate explanations of religious or non-religious "spirituality" from a theoretical perspective. We especially encourage papers that examine the development of “spirituality” as a category, and that attend to the theories or methods used in studies of “spirituality.” Send papers for these sessions to Dr. Randall Reed (reedrw@appstate.edu) and Dr. Laura Ammon (ammonll@appstate.edu). (3) Cosponsored session with New Testament and Bible and Modern Culture. We seek papers on the following: New Testament has often been on the forefront of using new methods and theoretical designs to read ancient texts. We seek papers that analyze the current state of interpretation/hermeneutics, with an emphasis on the theory, application, and critique of new methods. Send proposals for this session to Dr. Randall Reed (reedrw@appstate.edu). (4) Cosponsored session with History of Christianity and Philosophy of Religion. We seek papers on the following: “Gadamer and Ricoeur: Thinking through Translation and Interpretive Contexts.” Send proposals for this session to Dr. Eric Dickman (nedickman@yhc.edu)
(SBL) New Testament
Themes: The New Testament Section for the 2016 SECSOR conference invites paper proposals for the following sessions: (1) In keeping with the theme, “Translation and Contexts,” papers focusing on the role of context(s) (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, disability, etc.) in translation, especially as it relates to issues of inclusive language in the New Testament. (2) Papers engaging the theme of Powers and Principalities and/or discussing characterization in the New Testament. (3) An open call for papers in any area of New Testament studies. (4) A joint session with Bible and Modern Culture and Method and Theory in the Study of Religion: Biblical studies has often been on the forefront of using new methods and theoretical designs to read ancient texts. We seek papers that analyze the current state of interpretation/hermeneutics of the New Testament with an emphasis on the theory, application, and critique of new methods. Send proposals for NT sessions to Annie Tinsley (antinsley@shawu.edu) and Kathy Barrett Dawson (kathy@kathybarrettdawson.org). Proposals for the joint session should also be sent to Randy Reed (reedrw@appstate.edu).
(AAR) Philosophy of Religion
Themes: Proposals on all topics in philosophy of religion will be considered, but the following session themes are encouraged: (1) A joint session with Religions of Asia and Constructive Theologies on “apophasis within or across religions.”* (2) A joint session with Methods and Theories and History of Christianity on “Gadamer and Ricoeur: Thinking through Translation and Interpretive Contexts.”** (3) An open call for presentations in any area of philosophy of religion, but submissions are particularly encouraged that address the conference theme: “Translation and Context.” For all sessions, please send proposals to Nathan Eric Dickman, Young Harris College (nedickman@yhc.edu). *For the joint session on apophasis within or across religions, please include Lisa Battaglia (lbattagl@samford.edu), Rachel Pang (rhpang@davidson.edu), Steven Harmon (sharmon@gardner-webb.edu), and Elizabeth O’Donnell Gandolfo (elizabeth.gandolfo@gmail.com). **For the joint session on Gadamer and Ricoeur, please send proposals to Nathan Eric Dickman.
(AAR) Religion and Ecology
Themes: All proposals that deal with the interface of religion and ecology/nature will considered but those addressing the 2016 theme of “Translation and Context” are encouraged: (1) A joint session with Constructive Theologies on the ecohermeneutics of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical scheduled for release this year. (2) Ecocriticism of nature-based narratives in popular texts (movies, books, video games, cartoons). (3) The translation of sustainability into urban contexts via religious environmentalist adaptive lifestyles. (4) Revelation through art: imagining religion/environment intersections through performance and studio art. 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 Constructive Theologies also send proposals to Steven Harmon, Gardner-Webb (sharmon@gardner-webb.edu) and Elizabeth Gandolfo, Wake Forest University (elizabeth.gandolfo@gmail.com).
(AAR) Religion and Law
Theme: Religion and American Law. All proposals related to religion and law will be considered, but we particularly invite papers addressing: (1) The Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"). (2) Sincerely-held religious belief. (3) Tolerance, pluralism, and the law. (4) Recent Supreme Court decisions such as Burwell v. Hobby Lobby and Holt v. Hobbs. (5) Conflict and Consensus: Christianity, civil rights, and religious freedom in the United States (joint session with History of Christianity). As evidenced by Indiana's recent Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the relationship between "religious freedom" and other notions of "human rights" or "civil rights" is far from settled. We invite papers that explore the evolution of religious freedom in Christian history and American history during the last fifty years. Send proposals to Brad Stoddard (bstoddard@mcdaniel.edu) and Mike Graziano (grazmike@gmail.com). If you are proposing a paper or panel for the joint session with History of Christianity, please indicate this in your e-mail.
(AAR) Religion, Culture, and the Arts
Themes: 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) Narrative form and authenticity in religion, culture, and the arts. (2) The creation of transnational identity in art, music, and culture. (3) Atlanta and southern religious culture and arts. (4) Open call. Please submit proposals to both section chairs, Cara Burnidge (burnidge@gmail.com) and Andrew McKee (am13ag@my.fsu.edu).
(AAR) Religions in America
Themes: Papers in all areas of religions in America will be considered, but special consideration will be given to the following themes: (1) Religion, place, and the city. (2) Religion and materialism. (3) Religion, civil rights, civic activism. E-mail proposals to the Religions in America Section to Dr. Monica Reed (mcreed@lsu.edu) and Joshua Fleer (jfleer@fsu.edu). (4) With the Teaching and Learning Religion section, we issue a joint call for papers that explore the question "How should instructors approach teaching about controversial religious groups?” Papers that focus on controversial American religious groups will receive special consideration, e.g., the Nation of Islam, the Klan, Westboro Baptist Church, the People’s Temple, etc. Proposals to this joint session should be submitted with copies to both sections. E-mail proposals to this joint session to Dr. Monica Reed (mcreed@lsu.edu) and Joshua Fleer (jfleer@fsu.edu) with copy to Drs. Jodie Lyon (lyon@uga.edu) and Derrick Lemons (dlemons@uga.edu).
(AAR) The Religions of Asia
Themes: (1) In conjunction with the 2016 theme, “Translation in Context,” we solicit proposals on the issue of translation broadly conceived: translation, translation studies, the movement across cultures and other boundaries, and so forth. (2) A joint session with the Islam Section and the Religion, Ethics, Society Section on “Religion and Immigration.”* (3) A joint session with the Philosophy of Religion Section and the Constructive Theologies Section on “Apophasis within or across Religions.”** (4) Asian religion and popular culture. (5) Open call. Send questions and proposals to Lisa Battaglia, Samford University (lbattagl@samford.edu) and Rachel Pang, Davidson College (rhpang@davidson.edu). *For the joint session on religion and immigration please include Michael Stoltzfus, Valdosta State University (mjstoltz@valdosta.edu), Sally Holt, Belmont University (sally.holt@belmont.edu), and Eleanor Finnegan, University of Alabama (finneged@gmail.com). **For the joint session on apophasis within or across religions, please include Nathan Eric Dickman (nedickman@yhc.edu), Steven Harmon (sharmon@gardner-webb.edu), and Elizabeth O’Donnell Gandolfo (elizabeth.gandolfo@gmail.com).
(AAR) Teaching and Learning Religion
Themes: (1) Joint Session. In cooperation with the Religions in America section, we call for papers that explore the question "How should instructors approach teaching about controversial religious groups?” Papers that focus on controversial American religious groups will receive special consideration, e.g., the Nation of Islam, the Klan, Westboro Baptist Church, the People’s Temple, etc. Proposals should be submitted with copies to both Sections. E-mail proposals to Drs. Jodie Lyon (lyon@uga.edu) and Derrick Lemons (dlemons@uga.edu) with copy to Drs. Joshua Fleer (jfleer@fsu.edu) and Molly Reed (mcreed@lsu.edu). (2) An invited panel will consider Parker Palmer’s claim that “ultimately we teach who we are.” Panelists will discuss how their own personal religious beliefs factor into their teaching, and the extent to which they reveal their faith perspectives to their students. Special attention will be paid to the ways that pedagogical context (public university, seminary, private faith-affiliated school) determines appropriate ways to incorporate educators’ faith identities into the classroom. Panelists are invited. Chair: Dr. Jodie Lyon. (3) Open call. The Teaching and Learning Religion Section invites proposals (papers or a panel) that join innovative teaching practice with the scholarship of teaching and learning. Proposals should be submitted with copies to both sections. E-mail proposals to Drs. Jodie Lyon (lyon@uga.edu) and Derrick Lemons (dlemons@uga.edu). Chair: Dr. Derrick Lemons.
(SECSOR) 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 12 double-spaced pages). No paper over 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, 2015, to Lynn R. Huber, Elon University (lhuber@elon.edu). Note: Undergraduates may submit proposals to other sections as well.
(AAR) Women, Gender, and Religion
The Women, Gender, and Religion Section foregrounds 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. Themes: (1)Open call for proposals. (2) Proposals that constructively engage the subject of sexual violence (especially on campus) through texts, ethics, theology, history, or other means. (3) Proposals that consider the intersections of race and masculinity/ies. E-mail proposals to Vicki Phillips (phillips_v@wvwc.edu) and Richard Coble (richard.r.coble@vanderbilt.edu). (4) A joint session. With Black Cultures and the Study of Religion, we welcome papers that address and interrogate the performance of race and gender in contemporary popular media. We seek papers that examine this intersection in film, music, television series, and so forth. We especially invite papers that deal with the depictions of race and gender in the recent work of Shonda Rhimes, creator of Scandal. For this cosponsored session, send paper proposals to Joseph Winters (jwinter6@uncc.edu), Richard Coble (richard.r.coble@vanderbilt.edu), and Vicki Phillips (phillips_v@wvwc.edu).
