Student Lounge

The Student Lounge is a place for students to relax in the midst of the hectic Annual Meeting. We hope that you will take advantage of the free coffee and the chance to talk with fellow students. The lounge will be located in the Marriott Marquis–Pacific C and the lounge will be open Saturday–Monday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. The Graduate Student Committee has also organized a series of roundtable discussions on topics related to professionalization and student life. We invite you to join us for coffee and snacks as we discuss the following topics:

A19–140
Finding a Delicate Balance in Graduate Studies: Transcultural Conversations

Saturday, November 19, 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Leah Payne, Vanderbilt University, and Tim Lin, Regent University, Presiding

Can we excel in our graduate studies and still enjoy life? This hour-long forum explores how students balance graduate schoolwork with other life commitments. Let’s love life and people even as we devour monographs, write book reviews, and present papers!

A19–336
“I Can Hold Up TWO Books as I Hop On a Ball… But That is Not All! Oh, No. That is Not All!”: Balancing Family and Work in the Academic World

Saturday, November, 19, 4:00 PM–5:00 PM
Beth Stovall, Saint Thomas University, and Jon Stovall, McMaster University, Presiding

Academic life is often a struggle to find a balance between one’s academic and “real world” responsibilities. Beth and Jon Stovall have spent their marriage learning this fine art of balance as they studied together for their Masters and then PhDs. Now standing at the conclusion of their studies and the commencement of their careers, Beth and Jon will draw on their difficult — and often humorous — experiences.

A20–138
Preparing for Teaching

Sunday, November 20, 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Ryan Cumming, Loyola University, Presiding

Teaching is a great responsibility; while student-instructors may have the opportunity to improve on a class in future semesters or quarters, our students get one shot to learn what we have to teach them. I will focus on several vital considerations for instructors as they prepare for courses, especially developing substantive syllabi and fair classroom policies, preparing lesson plans, learning technology and grading systems, and balancing teaching responsibilities with research priorities.

A20–285
Tricks of the Trade: A Roundtable for Students Seeking Acceptance into PhD Programs

Sunday, November 20, 3:00 PM–4:00 PM
Elaine Padilla, New York Theological Seminary, Presiding

The process of getting into a PhD program can seem shrouded in mystery. Candidates often face seemingly innumerable questions and venture into the unknown without the tools needed to succeed. In this roundtable we will have an informal discussion over coffee and cookies with selected directors, faculty, and students who are currently a part of several doctoral and/or funding programs to explore the dynamics or “tricks” involved in pursuing the “trade” of applying for a PhD.

Panelists:
Monica A. Coleman, Claremont School of Theology
Dwight L. Hopkins, University of Chicago
Dhawn Martin, Drew University
Peter Phan, Georgetown University
Joanne Rodríguez, Hispanic Theological Initiative

A21–140
Creating Syllabi Your Students Will (Really!) Use

Monday, November 21, 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Kristy Slominski, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Amy Tiilikainen, Catholic University of America, Presiding

A well-crafted syllabus can save a teacher time, increase student engagement, and decrease frustration for all, but how can you be sure your students will actually use your syllabus? At this roundtable discussion, you will learn how to transform your syllabus into a resource packet that helps students succeed in your course. Participants will view several syllabi and discuss the pros and cons of each design, and are encouraged to bring syllabi of their own to share.

A21–336
Teaching Portfolios: From the Classroom to the Job Market

Monday, November 21, 4:00 PM–5:00 PM
Leanna Fuller, Vanderbilt University, and Joshua Canzona, Catholic University of America, Presiding

Developing a teaching portfolio will help you generate materials often requested by potential employers and also prepare you to talk effectively about your teaching in interviews. In this roundtable session we will discuss the following questions: What, exactly, is a teaching portfolio? What should it include? To enrich our conversation, please bring your own questions about teaching portfolios. Resources for getting started with your teaching portfolio will be provided.

“Especially For Students” Programming

A19–201
Student Town Hall Meeting — Stepping Stones: Finding Your Footing in the Academy

Saturday, November 19, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM
Marriott Marquis–Yerba Buena 15

Sponsored by the Graduate Student Committee

Comprising one-third of the total AAR membership, student members bring innovative scholarship and fresh ideas to the table, but navigating the field as a budding scholar can be a daunting task! Please join the Graduate Student Committee and the national Student Director for an informal conversation about our place in the Academy. In addition to open dialogue regarding student issues, we will have members from various Task Forces and Committees to speak to us about the work they do on behalf of the students. The Town Hall meeting provides an important opportunity to meet your student representatives, learn about student programming, and voice your concerns and needs to us as undergraduate and graduate student members of the American Academy of Religion. Come for camaraderie, conversation and, of course, coffee!

A21–200
Special Topics Forum: Retooling for a New Job Market

Monday, November 21, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM
Moscone Center West–Room 3016

Sponsored by the Graduate Student Committee

Ben Sanders, Iliff School of Theology and University of Denver, and Kristy Slominski, University of California, Santa Barbara, Presiding

In light of the economy’s impact on employment opportunities in religious studies, the Graduate Student Committee is dedicating this year’s Special Topics Forum to “Retooling for a New Job Market.” This event will consist of two parts: the first will feature a panel of recently hired professors, professors who have been active on search committees, and a representative from the nontraditional (i.e. nonprofessorial) job market. The second part of this event will be a forum in which attendants will have the opportunity to engage in smaller, separate, roundtable conversations with the panelists. Each panelist will lead a conversation aimed at addressing particular issues, such as how to prepare for the on-campus interview, how to creatively present and market yourself, how to determine which type of teaching position is best for you, and how to negotiate once a job is offered. Please join us for what promises to be an important and informative time!

Presenters:
Tim Renick, Georgia State University, and Chair of former AAR Job Placement Task Force
Jeremy Posadas, Austin College
Eleanor Moody-Shepherd, Dean, New York Theological Seminary
Jeffrey Kuan, Dean, Drew Theological School
Brenda Bailey-Hainer, ATLA Director

A19–139
LGBTIQ Mentoring Lunch

Saturday, November 19, 11:45 AM–12:45 PM
Marriott Marquis–Golden Gate C2*

Sponsored by the Status of LGBTIQ Persons in the Profession Committee

All graduate students and junior scholars who identify outside of normative gender histories and/or sexualities are welcome to join us for an informal lunch. No fee or preregistration is required; please bring your own lunch.

A20–137
SWP, REM, and LGBTIQ Women’s Mentoring Lunch

Sunday, November 20, 11:45 AM–12:45 PM
Marriott Marquis–Golden Gate C2*

Sponsored by the Status of Women in the Profession Committee; Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the Profession Committee, and the Status of LGBTIQ Persons in the Profession Committee

We invite women who are graduate students and new scholars to a luncheon with over thirty Womanist and feminist midcareer and senior scholars. Women will have the opportunity to mentor and be mentored in a context where every question is valued.

“Religion beyond the Boundaries” Public Lecture Series

The AAR is committed to fostering the public understanding of religion. Inspired by this goal, the Graduate Student Committee has organized two evenings of public talks in San Francisco. Student members will present their cutting-edge research in these innovative evening sessions, designed to move our discussions of religion out of the traditional academic setting of the Annual Meeting and into the community. This year’s talks center around two themes:

• American Religious and Spiritual Innovation: Marketing, the Law, and Marriage
• Intersections of Spirituality, Healing, and Medicine

Plan to join us for these stimulating talks and discussions! All will be held from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM at the California Institute for Integral Studies, 1453 Mission Street, San Francisco. Saturday: Room 307. Monday: Room 207.

A19–337
American Religious and Spiritual Innovation: Marketing, the Law, and Marriage

Saturday, November 19, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Steven Barrie-Anthony, Presiding
 
“I am a Mormon” and “I am a Scientologist”: Recent Marketing Efforts in Mormonism and Scientology
Donald Westbrook, Claremont Graduate University

Circulating Religion, Owning Belief: Intellectual Property in the American Spiritual Marketplace
Andrew Ventimiglia, University of California, Davis

Redefining Religion through the Lens of Interfaith Marriage
Erika B. Seamon, Georgetown University

A21–337
Intersections of Spirituality, Healing, and Medicine

Monday, November 21, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Steven Barrie-Anthony, Presiding

The Public Space of Spirituality: Emerging Health Care Models
Elizabeth Gordon, Graduate Theological Union

Death and Pregnancy: Religion, Ritual, and the Hospital
Kandace Geldmeier, Syracuse University

Social Defeat and Korean Shamanism
Connor Wood, Boston University

Other Sessions of Interest to Students

A19–300
How to Get Published

Saturday, 4:00 PM–6:30 PM
Parc55 Wyndham–Mission I*

Sponsored by the Publications Committee

Kimberly Rae Connor, University of San Francisco, Presiding

Based on notions that scholars have an understanding of the books needed in the fields of religion, religious studies, and theology, the AAR publishing program with Oxford University Press (OUP) produces quality scholarship for religious scholars and their students. OUP is an outstanding international publisher and the AAR has published hundreds of titles, many of which have become critical tools in the development of our fields and in training new scholars. AAR/OUP books include five published series: Academy Series; Reflection and Theory in the Study of Religion Series; Religion, Culture, and History Series; Religion in Translation Series; and Teaching Religious Studies Series. The panel provides an opportunity to hear from experienced OUP and AAR editors and to ask any and all questions you might have regarding the AAR/OUP series. Also, the JAAR Editor will discuss essay publishing. You will have opportunities to speak with individual editors. In addition, come meet an author who has journeyed from start to finish in the publishing process and can answer your most pressing questions.

Panelists:
Amir Hussain, Loyola Marymount University
Karen Jackson-Weaver, Princeton University
Jacob Kinnard, Iliff School of Theology
Anne E. Monius, Harvard University
Theodore Vial, Iliff School of Theology
Cynthia Read, Oxford University Press
Michael Murphy, University of San Francisco

A20–201
Getting Published!

Sunday, 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
Marriott Marquis–Nob Hill C*

Sponsored by the Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the Profession Committee

Melanie L. Harris, Texas Christian University, Presiding

Panelists:
Peter C. Phan, Georgetown University
Jacob K. Olupona, Harvard University
Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan, Shaw University
Kwok Pui Lan, Episcopal Divinity School
Gastón Espinosa, Claremont McKenna College

A20–236
Mentoring Matters: Part I

Sunday, 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
Moscone Center West–Room 3010*

Sponsored by the Status of Women in the Profession Committee

Stacey M. Floyd-Thomas, Vanderbilt University, Presiding

Graduate students and faculty members will address a range of topics related to mentoring: 1) Mentoring of graduate students and junior faculty; 2) Different types of mentoring, such as institutional and noninstitutional, or formal and informal; 3) Inequalities in mentoring, both in terms of who gets mentored and who carries the burden of mentoring; and 4) Parameters and boundaries of mentoring. Come and raise your questions and concerns.

Panelists:
Kecia Ali, Boston University
Anne Joh, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Elizabeth Lawson, Temple University
Melva L. Sampson, Emory University
M. Shawn Copeland, Boston College

A20–250
Mentoring Matters: Part II

Sunday, 3:00 PM–4:30 PM
Moscone Center West–Room 3010*

Sponsored by the Status of Women in the Profession Committee

Stacey M. Floyd-Thomas, Vanderbilt University, Presiding

Graduate students and faculty members will address a range of topics related to mentoring: 1) Mentoring of graduate students and junior faculty; 2) Different types of mentoring, such as institutional and noninstitutional, or formal and informal; 3) Inequalities in mentoring, both in terms of who gets mentored and who carries the burden of mentoring; and 4) Parameters and boundaries of mentoring. Come and raise your questions and concerns.

Panelists:
Kecia Ali, Boston University
Anne Joh, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Elizabeth Lawson, Temple University
Melva L. Sampson, Emory University
M. Shawn Copeland, Boston College

*Room locations are subject to change. Please check your Program Book onsite to confirm the location when you arrive at the Annual Meeting.