2015 Upper Midwest Call for Papers
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2015 Upper Midwest Regional MeetingLuther Seminary
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Call for Papers
American Academy of Religion, Society of Biblical Literature and American Schools for Oriental Research
SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL: This year, we are using Oxford Abstracts Registration Program. You may access the link to submit your proposal on our regional website after September 30: www.umw-aarsbl.org.
The submission deadline is December 15, 2015.
All presenters at the regional meeting (excluding undergraduate students) should be a member (whether student or full) of one of the three participating societies.
For Master’s Students: The region encourages MA students to present outstanding papers. Paper proposals from MA students must be accompanied by the nomination of a faculty advisor: Please include the name and contact information of the faculty advisor in your submission.
For Undergraduates: The Upper Midwest regional meeting includes undergraduate papers, reflecting the preponderance of undergraduate institutions in the region. The region welcomes the full scholarly participation of undergraduate members in the meeting. We request that undergraduates submit paper proposals for the Undergraduate Research Sessions only. Faculty members should nominate student papers, with a limit of two submissions per institution. Undergraduate students should complete the online submission form in the Oxford Abstracts Registration Program. Include the name and email address of the faculty sponsor at the end of the paper abstract. The Undergraduate Research Sessions are convened by Bruce Forbes, Morningside College, Sioux City, IA.
JOINT AAR/SBL SESSIONS
Multicultural Perspectives on Theology, Religion, and Biblican Interpretation
This section seeks papers that address theology, religion, or the Bible from diverse racial, ethnic, and demographic perspectives in conversation with analysis of other forms of difference.
Bernon Lee, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
Teaching Religion, Theology, and the Bible
This section welcomes proposals on topics that explore pedagogical issues specific to the teaching of religion, theology and the Bible in undergraduate, graduate, or seminary settings. Analyses of educational theory, teaching practices, and the ways values affect teaching and learning are encouraged. In addition to papers, presentations may include opportunities to engage participants in activities or discussion.
Suzanne Hequet, Concordia University, St. Paul, MN
Women in the Bible
Submissions are sought on topics having to do with women and the Bible. This includes papers or creative presentations dealing with women who appear in biblical texts or with feminist, womanist, or mujerista readings of biblical texts. In addition, this section deals with the reception of biblical texts by a woman or women throughout history, or discussions of how a text has affected women at different points in time.
Susan Myers, University of St Thomas, St Paul, MN
Martin Luther Study Group
The Martin Luther Study Group invites investigations of Luther's biblical exegesis, with particular attention to how his understanding of the Bible both influenced and was influenced by other religious groups/traditions. The group welcomes papers with a historical focus, as well as papers that connect Luther's exegesis and understanding of "the other," with contemporary interreligious and intercultural issues.
Bill Russell, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN
AAR SESSIONS
Ethics
This section seeks papers related to the integration of religion and ethics. Papers from both practical and analytical perspectives are welcome, as well as papers which explore the impact of religion on the personal ethics of individuals and/ or the relationship between religion and social ethics.
Vanessa Williams, Fordham University, NY
Historical Perspectives on Religion
This section seeks papers dealing with the theological, cultural, intellectual, and institutional history of all religious traditions. Submissions using traditional historical or interdisciplinary methods are equally welcome.
Jim Kroemer, Concordia University, Mequon, WI
Religions in North America
This section seeks proposals analyzing religious traditions, practices, and communities in North America from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives.
Murphy Pizza, St. Catherine University/Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Religion and Science
This section welcomes papers that analyze the various ways that science and religion intersect; topics may include (but are not limited to) historical analyses, theological/religious reflection on the implications of scientific theories and methods, scientific theories of religion, and examinations of social and political forces that shape the intersection of science and religion in contemporary culture.
George Tsakiridis, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Religion and Ecology
Submissions are welcome on any aspect of the study of religion and ecology, including issues related to politics, globalization, environmentally related legal decisions, and religious responses to natural disasters. Submissions on the historical treatment of the environment by religious persons and/or groups are especially encouraged.
Nate Van Yperen, Independent Scholar
Religion, Theology, and the Arts
Submissions are welcome on all topics examining the theoretical, historical, and practical interrelationships among religion, theology, spirituality, and the arts. In 2015, the session is particularly interested in receiving papers treating contemporary visual art with a political or prophetic dimension. We are open but not limited to papers treating the visual, musical, literary, and dramatic arts.
Kim Vrudny, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
Religion, Gender, and Sexuality
Submissions are welcome on all topics that explore the intersections between religious ideas and constructions of gender and/or sexuality. This section consolidates the Women & Religion and Religion & Sexuality sections.
C. Neal Keye, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
Philosophy of Religion/Systematic Theology
This section invites papers that examine the interface between philosophy and religion, including both philosophical positions within religion and philosophy of religion more generally, as well as constructive theological work in dialogue with both historical traditions and aspects of the contemporary context.
Courtney Wilder, Midland University, Fremont, NE
World Religions
Submissions are welcomed on any topics related to religious traditions other than Judaism and Christianity, or topics that involve comparative reflection on more than one religious tradition.
Michael Baltutis, University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh
New Religions
This section seeks papers relating to religious movements less than 150 years old, as well as recent sects and movements emerging from historical traditions, worldwide, from a wide range of disciplinary approaches.
Murphy Pizza, St. Catherine University/Minneapolis College of Art and Design
SBL SESSIONS
Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
Exegetical studies of specific texts, theological or thematic examinations, and methodological proposals are welcome.
Bernon Lee, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN and Blake Couey, Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter, MN
New Testament
Exegetical studies of specific texts, theological or thematic examinations, and methodological proposals are welcome.
Daniel Scholz, Cardinal Stritch University, WI
Early and Late-Antique Christianity
Welcomes papers on any topic dealing with the history, literature, thought, and practices of early Christianity, broadly conceived, from the first century through the post-Nicene era.
Mark DelCogliano, University of St. Thomas, St Paul, MN
Early Judaism
The Early Judaism Section welcomes proposals concerned with aspects of Jewish literature, history, or culture in classical antiquity. We are especially interested in papers dealing with aspects of Jewish life and thought during the Second Temple period and early Jewish-Christian relations.
Joshua Ezra Burns, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Archaeology and Excavation Reports
All topics pertaining to the archaeology of the ancient Near East including excavation updates and summaries of work in progress. Sessions cosponsored by ASOR.
Mark Schuler, Concordia University, St. Paul, MN
Multiple Submissions
Scholars may submit only one paper proposal to one session of the Upper Midwest regional meeting.
Questions and Other Topics
Questions about the upcoming meeting or the appropriate section for proposals should be directed to Amy Marga, Luther Seminary, St Paul, MN amarga@luthersem.edu. Proposals for papers or topics not listed in the call for papers are to be brought to her attention.
Travel Grant for Graduate Students
The Upper Midwest region is pleased to announce the availability of travel scholarships in the amount of $100 and $250 for graduate students whose papers are accepted for presentation at the regional meeting. A limited number of these scholarships are available and they will be awarded on a competitive basis. Please send a request for details on the travel scholarships to Karoline Lewis (klewis001@luthersem.edu) after you have submitted your proposals.
SBL Members: Regional Scholars Program
This year the Upper Midwest Region will again participate in the Regional Scholar Program of the Society of Biblical Literature. Beginning scholars (less than four years from receiving a terminal degree) may request information on this program by emailing Karoline Lewis (klewis001@luthersem.edu).
UPPER MIDWEST REGIONAL OFFICERS
*SBL*
Regional Coordinator: Karoline Lewis, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN klewis001@luthersem.edu
President: Philip Sellew, University of MN, Twin Cities, MN
Vice President: Maggie Odell, St Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Program Committee: Eric Baretto, Luther Seminary, St Paul, MN
*AAR*
Regional Coordinator: Amy Marga, Luther Seminary, St Paul, MN amarga@luthersem.edu
President: William Russell, Collegeville Institute, Collegeville, MN
Vice President: Murphy Pizza, St Catherine’s University, St Paul, MN and Minneapolis College of Arts and Design, MN
Program Committee: Joshua Miller, Augsburg College, St Paul, MN
Student Representative: Daniel Cochran, University of Wisconsin-Madison
