http://www.aarweb.org/About_AAR/Regions/Upper_Midwest/call.asp
Upper Midwest Region
Call for Papers
2011 Upper Midwest Regional Meeting
April 1–2, 2011
Luther Seminary
Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Submitting A Proposal:
This year, we are piloting the use of the AAR’s OP3 system for proposal submissions. Please go here to submit your proposal and follow the directions for creating your OP3 account. This process will work for all proposal submissions for the regional meeting, regardless of whether you are an AAR member.
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 OP3 submission.
The submission deadline is December 15, 2010.
Joint AAR/SBL Sessions:
Multicultural Perspectives on Theology, Religion, and Biblical Interpretation
Priscilla Eppinger, Graceland University
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.
Teaching the Bible and Religion
Suzanne Hequet, College of Saint Benedict’s and Saint John’s University
This Section welcomes proposals on topics that explore pedagogical issues specific to the teaching of the Bible or religion in undergraduate, graduate, or seminary settings. Analyses of educational theory, teaching practices, and the ways in which values affect teaching and learning are encouraged. In addition to papers, presentations may include opportunities to engage participants in activities or discussion.
Undergraduate Research
Bruce Forbes, Morningside College, and Lori Brandt Hale, Augsburg College
The regional meeting includes undergraduate papers reflecting the preponderance of undergraduate institutions in the region. Members nominate outstanding papers. Each institution is allowed up to two submissions.
Women, Religion, and Sacred Text
Cia Sautter, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
This Section is open to a wide range of topics but particularly encourages proposals that engage in a feminist, womanist, or mujarista perspective. For example, papers may deal with feminist perspectives on history or scripture, but also keeping in mind teaching challenges for women in the Upper Midwest region. Different forms of presentation are welcome, including performance.
AAR Sessions:
Ethics
Mary Gaebler, Gustavus Adophus College
This Section welcomes papers from both practical and analytical perspectives on the effect of faith in the lives of individuals (agent ethics) and the impact of religion on the common good (social ethics).
Historical Perspectives on Religion
Jim Kroemer, Marquette University
This Section seeks papers dealing with the social, cultural, intellectual, and institutional history of all religious traditions. Submissions using traditional historical or interdisciplinary methods are equally welcome.
Native American Religions
Michelene Pesantubbee, University of Iowa
This region is a geographical area with an abundance of Native American traditions. We seek proposals on all aspects of Native American religions from Native American presenters as well as from others with an interest in/commitment to Native American traditions.
Philosophy of Religion/Systematic Theology
Courtney Wilder, Midland Lutheran College
This Section invites papers that examine the interface between philosophy and religion. Approaches can include 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.
Religion and Ecology
Amy Marga, Luther Seminary
Submissions are welcome on any aspect of religion and ecology study, including the role of politics, globalization, war, or legal decisions in the creation of and/or resistance to environmental degradation. Other topics within the field are also encouraged. This year, we are particularly interested in papers on the topic of “Dreams, Visions, and Mosaics: Beauty in the Work of Thomas Berry and Terry Tempest Williams.”
Religion and Science
Greg Peterson, South Dakota State University
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.
Religion, Art, and Culture
Kim Vrudny, University of Saint Thomas
Submissions are welcome on all topics examining the relationships between religion and cultural ideas, including — but not limited to — music, literature, and all forms of art, as well as the ways in which religion shapes and is shaped by culture.
Religion, Gender, and Sexuality
C. Neal Keye, College of Saint Scholastica
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 and Religion Section and the Religion and Sexuality Section.
Religions in North America
Murphy Pizza, Globe University and Minnesota School of Business
This Section seeks proposals analyzing religious traditions, practices, and communities in North America from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives.
World Religions
Mark Berkson, Hamline University
Submissions are welcome on any topics related to religious traditions other than Judaism and Christianity, or topics that involve comparative reflection on more than one religious tradition.
SBL Sessions:
Archaeology and Excavation Reports (sessions cosponsored by ASOR)
Mark Schuler, Concordia University
This Section welcomes all topics pertaining to the archaeology of the ancient Near East, including excavation updates and summaries of work in progress.
Early Christianity
Casey Elledge, Gustavus Adolphus College
This Section welcomes papers on topics of early Christianity, including New Testament
Apocrypha, Christian uses of Pseudepigrapha, the social background of early Christian communities, and the features of patristic literature.
Early Judaism and Judaic Studies
Alex Jassen, University of Minnesota
This Section concerns itself with the literatures, histories, and cultures of ancient Judaism. The breadth of the Section’s description is intentional and serves as an invitation to those in related fields to join in interdisciplinary interaction and scholarship regarding virtually any aspect of ancient Judaism.
New Testament
Juan Hernandez, Bethel Seminary
Daniel Scholz, Cardinal Stritch University, Wauwatosa, WI
This Section welcomes exegetical studies of specific texts, theological or thematic examinations, and methodological proposals of the New Testament.
Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
Maggie Odell, Saint Olaf College
This Section welcomes exegetical studies of specific texts, theological or thematic examinations, and methodological proposals of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible.
Religion in the Ancient World
Glen Menzies, North Central University
This Section welcomes papers concerning general or specific studies of the practice of religion in Mediterranean and Near Eastern antiquity.
Multiple Submissions
Scholars may submit only one paper proposal to one session of the regional meeting. Subsequent submissions will be declined.
Questions and Other Topics
Questions about the upcoming meeting or submitting proposals to the appropriate Section should be directed to Susan Hill, University of Northern Iowa, susan.hill@uni.edu. Proposals for papers or topics not listed in the call for papers are also to be brought to her attention.
Information for Graduate Students
The 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 to AARSBLProposals@gmail.com after you have submitted your proposals.
Notice to SBL Members
This year the 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 e-mailing AARSBLProposals@gmail.com.
Upper Midwest Regional Officers
American Academy of Religion
President: Amy Marga, Luther Seminary
Vice-President: Phil Stoltzfus, University of Saint Thomas
Program Committee: Stephen Pattee, Saint Mary’s University
Regionally Elected Director: Susan Hill, University of Northern Iowa, susan.hill@uni.edu
Society of Biblical Literature
President: Dan Scholz, Cardinal Stritch University
Vice-President: Karoline Lewis, Luther Seminary
Program Committee: Paul Niskanen, University of Saint Thomas
Regional Coordinator: Jeannine Brown, Bethel Seminary, jbrownsp@gmail.com
