Call for Proposals

This Group seeks submissions on the following topics:

• Middle Eastern Christians — betwixt and between. We seek papers that explore the intercultural and interreligious dynamics of various roles played by Middle Eastern Christians, both in the Islamic world and abroad. How do Middle Eastern Christians stand betwixt and between cultures? Possible topics might include identity (challenges, expressions, hybridity), conflict and mediation (Christian–Muslim relations, Western–Middle Eastern relations), integration in society (identity during the Crusades, nationalism and modern imperialism, or in modern emigrant communities), politics (the Coptic Pope in Western politics), etc.


• For a cosponsored session with the Religion and Migration Group and Contemporary Islam Group, exploring Middle Eastern Christian and/or Muslim migrant communities. Participants are encouraged to submit proposals with sound methodologies that address issues related to migration


• For a cosponsored session with the SBL Syriac Literature and Interpretations of Sacred Texts Group, emerging theologies of Middle Eastern Christian communities analyzing Christian theology in the Middle East. We invite research on all branches of Christian theology in all historical periods, with an emphasis on its relevance to current theological trends among Middle Eastern Christians

We also encourage proposals that interpret theology broadly; the panel could conceivably address an array of topics related to contemporary doctrine, ecumenism, ecclesiology, interfaith relations, biblical and Qur’anic hermeneutics, hagiography, philosophy, or religious thought generally.

Mission

This Group is devoted to the study of developments within Coptic, Armenian, Chaldean/Assyrian, Syrian, Maronite, and other relevant communities living inside the Middle East or in lands of immigration. The Group covers themes from the early Christian period to the present, encompassing various approaches and subjects. Its aim is to establish an interdisciplinary platform for dialogue among differing approaches and projects and to provide opportunities for scholars to discuss their work in relation to the overall field of the study of religion.

Anonymity of Review Process

Proposer names are visible to Chairs but anonymous to Steering Committee members.

Questions?

Mark Swanson
Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago
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Nelly van Doorn-Harder
Wake Forest University
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Method of Submission