http://www.aarweb.org/About_AAR/Regions/Upper_Midwest/call.asp
Upper Midwest Region
Call for Papers
Upper Midwest Regional Meeting
(AAR/SBL)
March 28–29, 2008
Luther Seminary
St. Paul, MN
The program committee invites members of the societies to submit proposals for papers to be read at the regional meeting. To submit a proposal, please complete the web-based form at http://umw-aarsbl.org/proposal.htm by December 15, 2007. Proposals of undergraduate papers are made by members of the societies on behalf of their students by completing the form at http://umw-aarsbl.org/undergrad.htm. The region only accepts proposals submitted through this website.
Joint AAR/SBL Sessions:
Jewish Studies
The Jewish Studies section concerns itself with Jewish identity or identities. As such, submissions are welcome on all aspects of Jewish ontology and praxis as they relate to the questions of who is a Jew and what is Judaism. As elsewhere, this session's description remains broad to include interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological engagement.
Daniel Maoz, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Multicultural Perspectives on Theology, Religion, and Biblical 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.
Priscilla Eppinger, Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa
Teaching the Bible and Religion
This session 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 values affect teaching and learning are encouraged. In addition to papers, presentations may include opportunities to engage participants in activities or discussion.
Matthew Skinner, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
Undergraduate Research
The Upper Midwest 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.
Lori Brandt Hale, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN
AAR Sessions:
Ethics
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).
Mary Gaebler, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN
Historical Perspectives on Religion
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.
Jim Kroemer, Marquette University, Milwaukee, 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, UW–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
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.
Greg Peterson, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Religion and Ecology
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 encouraged.
Nancy Vitorin-Vangerud, United Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, MN
Religion, Art, and Culture
Submissions are welcome on all topics that examine 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.
Larry Harwood, Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI
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.
Paul Capetz, United Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN
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. This year, we particularly encourage papers that address pedagogical issues in world religions or comparative religion courses; approaches to ritual, sacred texts, and/or mysticism in Asian religions and/or Islam; and the relationship between globalization, politics, and world religions.
Mark Berkson, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
SBL Sessions:
Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
Exegetical studies of specific texts, theological or thematic examinations, and methodological proposals are welcome.
Paul Niskanen, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
New Testament
Exegetical studies of specific texts, theological or thematic examinations, and methodological proposals are welcome.
Jeannine Brown, Bethel Seminary, St. Paul, MN
Daniel Scholz, Cardinal Stritch University, Wauwatosa, WI
Christian Apocrypha
Welcomes papers on extracanonical texts, as subjects of literary and philological investigation; as evidence for the history of religion, theology, and cult practice; and as documents of the sociosymbolic construction of religious communities.
Casey Elledge, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN
Religion in the Ancient World
General or specific studies of the practice of religion in the Levant from Canaanite through the Byzantine periods.
Glen Menzies, North Central University, Minneapolis, MN
Greek and Roman Religions
Proposals for papers on any aspect of the history of religions in Greek and Roman antiquity are welcome.
Philip Sellew, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Early Judaism and Judaic Studies
The Early Judaism and Judaic Studies section concerns itself with the literatures, histories, and cultures of ancient Judaism. The breadth of the section's description is intentional, an invitation to those in collateral fields to join in interdisciplinary interaction and scholarship regarding virtually any aspect of ancient Judaism.
Michael Wise, Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN
Archaeology and Excavation Reports
(sessions co-sponsored by ASOR)
All topics pertaining to the archaeology of the ancient Near East including excavation updates and summaries of work in progress.
Mark Schuler, Concordia University, St. Paul, MN
Multiple Submissions: (New policy) Scholars may submit only one paper proposal to one session of the Upper Midwest regional meeting. Subsequent submissions will be declined.
Questions and Other Topics: Questions about the upcoming meeting or the appropriate section for proposals should be directed to Deanna A. Thompson, Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt AVE, St. Paul, MN 55104, USA; dthompson@gw.hamline.edu. Proposals for papers or topics not listed in the call for papers are to be brought to her attention.
Notice to 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. Details may be requested when making a paper proposal.