Call for Papers 2014
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
AAR/SBL/ASOR
Regional Meeting
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
May 9-11, 2014
SPECIAL TOPICS: MORMON STUDIES
Description of the goals and rationale
-This special topic of Mormon Studies promotes the exploration of a wide range of topics relating to Mormonism. This section seeks to provide scholarly inquiry into Mormon history, culture, belief and practice, theology, scripture, and the role of Mormonism in contemporary politics. This section encourages the study of Mormonism from multiple disciplines and methodologies. This section will better equip those in the academy to teach on the subject of Mormonism and actively promotes opportunities for interfaith dialogue.
Co-Chairs
Kirk Caudle (Brigham Young University-Idaho; caudlek@byui.edu) and Susanna Morrill (Lewis & Clark College; smorrill@lclark.edu) (first term; 2012-2015)
Call for Papers
-Papers are welcome in any area of Mormon Studies. We encourage papers from multiple disciplinary and methodological perspectives and especially invite proposals on the following themes:
1) Papers that consider the history and culture of Mormonism, especially those that discuss the social and religious impact of women and minorities.
2) Papers on the development of Mormon beliefs and practices, scripture, ethics, and theology.
3) Papers related to interfaith dialogue between Mormonism and other Christian (and non-Christian) faith traditions.
4) Papers related to Mormonism and contemporary politics.
5) Papers that consider the place of Mormon Studies within the academic study of religion.
6) Papers that place Mormonism within the larger context of North American culture and religions. We are hoping to create a joint session with the History of Christianity and North American Religions Section.
Paper Proposals will be submitted through Oxford Abstracts (OA) again this year. You may need to copy and paste this link into your browser: https://aareligionpnw.conference-services.net/authorlogin.asp?conferenceID=3706&language=en-uk
A link to the OA site is also posted on the PNW Region’s webpage (http://pnw-aarsbl.org/). OA will be open for submissions October 15, 2013 and close on January 21, 2014. Acceptance letters will be sent by February 1, 2014.
JOINT SESSION:
The Challenges of Teaching Religions with Sacred Texts in a Contemporary Context
General Description
-This joint session will bring together teacher-scholars from five different units (Asian and Comparative Studies, Study of Islam, Special Topics: Mormon Studies, New Testament and Hellenistic Religions, and Hebrew Bible) in the PNW AAR/SBL region in order to discuss common teaching challenges. The purpose of this session is to generate a cross-disciplinary conversation on teaching and learning.
Call for Papers
-We are inviting higher-education professionals, who teach at the undergraduate level, to reflect on the intersection of their disciplinary expertise and teaching experiences and submit a paper proposal (500-700 words).
Presentation Questions
-Participants have to consider and address in depth at least two of the following questions:
1)What are the challenges and strategies of teaching a Religion with sacred texts that are usually viewed through multiple layers of interpretation?
2)What are the challenges and strategies of teaching a Religion with sacred texts that are usually written in languages inaccessible to a wide audience?
3)What are the challenges and strategies of teaching a Religion with sacred texts in a Liberal Arts context versus a Research University, or versus a Seminary?
4)What are the challenges and strategies of teaching a Religion with sacred texts to a generation of students that are more accustomed to reading webpages than ancient documents?
Guidelines
1. Please submit your proposals directly to the chair(s) of the unit to which you belong.
2. Please keep in mind that you will have twenty minutes for your presentation.