http://www.aarweb.org/About_AAR/Regions/Upper_Midwest/call.asp
Upper Midwest Region
Call for Papers
Upper Midwest Region (AAR/SBL)
March 27–28, 2009
Luther Seminary, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Submit proposals after September 15 online at http://www.umw-aarsbl.org. The due date for submissions is December 15. The program for the 2009 Regional meeting will be announced in January 2009.
Joint AAR/SBL Sessions:
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.
AAR Sessions:
Native American Religions
Our region has received a regional development grant for "Native American Religions in the Upper Midwest: Making Connections." We therefore extend a new call for proposals from Native American presenters, as well as from others with an interest in/commitment to Native American traditions.
Dennis Kelley, Iowa State.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, Hamline University.
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.
Phil Stoltzfus, University of St. Thomas.
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 and Religion and Religion and Sexuality sections.
C. Neal Keye, College of St. Scholastica.
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 and Courtney Wilder, Midland Lutheran College.
World Religions
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. 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.
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.
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 and Bruce Forbes, Morningside College.
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.
New Testament
Exegetical studies of specific texts, theological or thematic examinations, and methodological proposals are welcome.
Juan Hernandez, Bethel Seminary and Daniel Scholz, Cardinal Stritch University.
Christian Apocrypha
Papers are welcome on extra-canonical texts — as subjects of literary and philological investigation; as evidence for the history of religion, theology, and cult practice; and as documents of the socio-symbolic construction of religious communities.
Casey Elledge, Gustavus Adolphus College.
Religion in the Ancient World
Papers are welcome that cover general or specific studies of the practice of religion in the Levant from Canaanite through the Byzantine periods.
Glen Menzies, North Central University.
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.
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.
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, are welcome.
Mark Schuler, Concordia University.
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 Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104, 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 at the time of making a paper proposal.
Notice to SBL Members
This year, the Upper Midwest Region will again participate in the Regional Scholar Program of the Society of Biblical Literature. At the time of proposing a paper, beginning scholars (less than four years from receiving a terminal degree) may request information on this program.
Upper Midwest Regional Officers
SBL:
President: Elna K. Solvang, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
Vice-President: Dan Scholz, Cardinal Stritch University, Wauwatosa, WI
Program Committee: Karoline M. Lewis, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
Regional Coordinator: Jeannine Brown, Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN 55112–6999, jbrownsp@gmail.com
AAR:
President: Bruce Forbes, Morningside College, Sioux City, IA
Vice-President: Susan Hill, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Program Committee: Amy Marga, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN and Phil Stoltzfus, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
Regional Director: Deanna A. Thompson , Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104, dthompson@gw.hamline.edu