2013 Pacific Northwest Regional Meeting May 3–5, 2013 Seattle University Seattle, Washington, USA

New Registration Rates

The following rates are in effect beginning in 2013:

Registration: $45.00
Late Registration: $65.00
Students/Financial Need: Registration fee waived (please contact Ardy Bass)

Housing and Registration

Information will be available in the Spring 2013 Newsletter. You may also access this information on our website in February 2013.

Requests for Audiovisual Equipment at the Regional Meeting

Requests for audiovisual equipment (computers, projectors, etc.) can be costly. There is often an extra charge for this technology on campuses and, given financial concerns, please request technology only if it is vitally important to presenting your paper.

2013 Call for Papers

American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR)

The Pacific Northwest Region of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) encourages and supports research into, and public understanding of, the peoples and cultures of the Near East from the earliest times. As such, this Unit is concerned with:

• Fostering original research, archaeological excavations, and explorations
• Encouraging scholarship in basic languages, cultural histories and traditions of the ANE
• Offering opportunities for all levels of scholarship, especially students, to share their research

Students are especially welcome to present dissertation and paper research in interested categories. Proposals should be submitted electronically at the region’s online website to Roger W. Anderson, Mukilteo, Washington, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Arts and Religion

This Section provides a space for the interdisciplinary exploration of religion through the arts (in broad contexts). We invite multiple perspectives, embodied passionate scholarship, and rich discussion of the vital role arts have played and continue to play in attempts to create meaning of the human condition, and to address the enduring questions posed by the world's religions and spiritual traditions. The arts have always played a part in world religions and spiritual traditions through the use of image, symbol, ritual, music, percussion, dance, poetry, theater, storytelling (myth and folklore), architecture, and geomancy. This Section welcomes individual papers or panel proposals on any topic, from ancient to contemporary, which explore the arts and religion. Papers exploring traditional institutionalized religions as well as world spiritual traditions (including indigenous and oral traditions) are welcome. Proposals should be submitted electronically at the region’s online website to Susan G. Carter, Marylhurst University and California Institute of Integral Studies, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and Louise M. Pare, Ashland, Oregon, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Asian and Comparative Studies

This Section aims to promote scholarship in non-Western areas of religion and theology and to assess various comparative methods of investigation. Submissions on topics in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa are welcome. Proposals should be submitted electronically at the region’s online website to Nicholas F. Gier, University of Idaho, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Hebrew Scriptures

Papers are welcome on any topic related to Hebrew Scriptures, with priority given to papers that deal with language and linguistics, wisdom literature, and prophetic literature. Early proposals are especially welcome with the goal of organizing a panel discussion for a regional scholar’s recent work and/or organizing a thematic topic session. Graduate students are required to send full copies of their papers for consideration. Proposals should be submitted electronically at the region’s online website to Elizabeth R. Hayes, Wolfson College, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

History of Christianity and North American Religions

Papers are welcome in any area of the history of Christianity and North American religions. Proposals are especially invited on the following themes: 1) Papers that consider the history, theology, or social impact of documents written by Christians who have been — or are — imprisoned; 2) Papers on historical theology for a joint session with the Theology and Philosophy of Religion Section; 3) Papers related to the history of Christianity in any era; and 4) Papers related to the history of North American religions. Questions about the session can be directed to the co-Chairs, Charles J. Scalise, Fuller Theological Seminary, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen, Pacific Lutheran University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

New Testament and Hellenistic Religions

This Section provides an opportunity to discuss topics in New Testament and related interdisciplinary studies, such as Hebrew Bible and early Christianity, as well as topics relating to Hellenistic religions and related literature. We welcome papers reflecting the research endeavors of scholars in New Testament and Hellenistic religions. We are also interested in conducting a book review panel for a book that has been published in the last year by a participant in this Section. Send book suggestions to the Chairs. Questions about the session can be directed to the co-Chairs, Amy M. Donaldson, University of Notre Dame, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and Kent L. Yinger, George Fox University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Religion and Society

This Section creates a space for the interdisciplinary analysis of religion, ethics, social science, and current events. All topics related to ethics, contemporary social issues, and social scientific perspectives on religion are welcome. We encourage papers offering academic perspectives on current events and recurring themes in our session's discussions: war and violence, religion and ecology, religion and science, and religion and memory. We especially invite papers on religion and neuroscience for a special session to be held jointly with the Theology and Philosophy of Religion Section. Proposals should be submitted electronically at the Region’s online website. Questions can be directed to the Chairs, Bruce Hiebert, University Canada West, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and Kevin O’Brien, Pacific Lutheran University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Special Topics: Mormon Studies

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 in order to better equip those in the academy to teach on the subject of Mormonism and actively promote opportunities for interfaith dialogue. 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) The history and culture of Mormonism, especially on topics that discuss the social and religious impact of women and minorities; 2) The development of Mormon beliefs and practices, scripture, ethics, and theology; 3) Interfaith dialogue between Mormonism and other Christian (and non-Christian) faith traditions; 4) Mormonism and contemporary politics; and 5) The place of Mormon studies within the academic study of religion. Proposals should be submitted electronically at the Region’s online website. Questions can be directed to the Chairs, Kirk Caudle, Marylhurst University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and Susanna Morrill, Lewis and Clark College, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Philosophy of Religion and Theology

This Section exists to provide a forum for scholars to critically examine politics, scriptures, ethics, history, art, literature, and/or culture from explicitly philosophical and theological perspectives. We welcome diverse perspectives, and encourage the collegiality of frank and open dialogue between and among disciplinary areas. We welcome papers in any area of the philosophy of religion and/or theology. We especially solicit papers examining the issues of: 1) Nonsectarian religious studies; 2) Normative issues and religious pluralism; 3) Religion and politics; 4) Religion and science; 5) Mysticism; 6) Sessions contributing to joint sessions on the history of theology and historical theology presented with the History of Christianity Section; and 7) Sessions contributing to joint sessions on religion and neuroscience presented with the Religion and Society Section. Potential presenters should identify in their proposals any scheduling conflicts arising from religious commitments. Proposals should be submitted electronically at the Region’s online website to Mari Kim, Toronto, Ontario, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and Michael Zbaraschuk, Pacific Lutheran University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Study of Islam

Papers are welcome in topics investigating any aspect of historical or contemporary Islam including, but not limited to, Islamic texts, practices, law, history, and theology. We also seek participants for our annual pedagogy roundtable, focused this year on the use of film in teaching Islam. Proposals should be submitted electronically at the Region's online website to Josie Hendrickson, University of Alberta, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and Paul Powers, Lewis and Clark College, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Women and Religion

This Section explores the lives of women in religion from antiquity to the modern era. It is a forum for inquiry into literary and material culture of the activity and presence of women in religion and the history of interpretation. The Women and Religion Section is seeking papers in these general areas:

(AAR) We invite individual papers or panels on any aspect of the study of women and religion. This Section especially welcomes proposals that facilitate cross-disciplinary and/or religious traditions in the study of women. Papers exploring feminist pedagogy are also welcome.

(SBL) We invite proposals on women in religious literature including, but not limited to, ancient Greek and Roman, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Asian religions.

Proposals should be submitted electronically at the Region’s online website. If you have any questions, please contact the co-Chairs, Ardy Bass, Gonzaga University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and Valarie H. Ziegler, DePauw University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Future Meetings

2014: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
2015: (Possibly) Marylhurst University, Portland, OR

If you and your institution would be willing to host a regional meeting, please contact Ardy Bass, Gonzaga University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .