SECTIONS

Sections and Section Chairs

Anthropology and Sociology of Religion

Solicits proposals for papers and panels that treat religion from anthropological or sociological perspectives. Proposals may approach the study of religion as a social institution in relationship to other social institutions and/or belief systems of a given culture. Proposals may also examine cross-cultural comparisons of formal and informal expressions of religion. Additional possibilities include (but are not limited to): religion, social movements, and social change; religion and popular culture; theoretical approaches and assumptions (including secularization); methodological approaches to the social scientific study of religion; religious identity and socialization; new religious movements; religion and inequality/oppressed groups; religion and social conflict; etc.

Yasmine Singh, Missouri State University, YasmineSingh@MissouriState.edu (2025-2027)

Ecology and Science in the Study of Religion

Solicits proposals for papers and panels that explore the interrelationships between religion and all aspects of the natural world (understood as nature, cosmos, creation, environment, ecology, etc.). Encompasses subject matters and theoretical perspectives generally associated with the scholarly subfields of religion and ecology, religion and science, and religion and animals. Papers and panels may have a theological orientation or be identified as work in the academic study of religion.

Muhammad Faruque, The University of Cincinnati,  faruqumu@ucmail.uc.edu (2024-2026)

Gender and Religion

Solicits proposals for papers and panels that explore the intersections of religion, gender, the body and sexuality and how these meeting points create new places of exploration into the religious experiences of human beings as gendered, sexed, and embodied beings.  Proposals addressing the intersectionality of race, class, and gender/sexuality/embodiment and feminist approaches to the study of religion are especially encouraged.

Amy Artman, Missouri State University, AmyArtman@MissouriState.edu (2025-2027)

Religion and American Culture

Solicits proposals for papers and panels exploring social, cultural, and historical aspects of religion in the Americas, and of the United States in particular. Studies of religious traditions, communities, structures, and ideas that position the Americas in hemispheric and transnational context are also encouraged and accepted.

Kristen Balzer, Duke Divinity School, kristen.balzer@duke.edu (2026-2028)

Religions of Asia

Solicits proposals for papers covering textual, ethnographic, or other historical and cultural studies of the religious traditions of South, Southeast, and East Asia, consisting primarily of (but not necessarily limited to) Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

Kevin Poe, University of Chicago Divinity School, kevinpoe@uchicago.edu (2025-2027)

Sacred Texts and Literature in the Study of Religion

Solicits proposals for papers and panels that examine the intersection of religion and text, with a focus on literature (broadly defined to include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and dramatic works), as well as sacred texts from global traditions. The call also extends to papers and panels that address the connections between religion, sacred and/or secular literature, and the arts. Most topics that would fall under the aegis of SBL would be welcome in this section.

Matthew Hotham. Ball State University, mrhotham@bsu.edu  (2021-2023, 2024-2026)

Study of Christianity

Solicits proposals for papers and panels that analyze any variety of Christianity from academic, historical, and social scientific perspectives. Proposals for papers that adopt theological, constructive, confessional, or faith-based perspectives should be submitted to the Theology, Ethics, and Philosophy of Religion Section.

Travis Proctor, Wittenberg University, proctort@wittenberg.edu (2021-2023, 2024-2026)

Study of Islam

Solicits proposals for papers and panels focusing on any aspect of the Islamic tradition, including its texts, history, or practices. Proposals may focus on any time period and be from any disciplinary approach, so long as the topic is capable of engaging scholars of Islam.

Vacant

Study of Judaism

Solicits proposals broadly inclusive of Judaism and Jewish tradition. Panels and proposals may address textual studies, history concerning any time period from the ancient to the modern, theology, sociology, or anthropology of Jewish subjects.

Vacant

Teaching Religion

Solicits proposals for papers and panels on teaching practices (syllabi, assignments, classroom activities), the use of innovative pedagogies, challenges relevant to teaching particular courses, advising and mentoring, or reflections on (the joys and challenges of) teaching in our field.

Michael McLaughlin, University of Missouri, mmclaughlin@missouri.edu (2025-2027)

Theology, Ethics, and Philosophy of Religion

Solicits proposals for papers and panels dealing with ethical theory, applied ethics, moral theology, constructive theology and other topics related to religion and morality, as well as papers dealing broadly with the philosophy of religion, such as questions of religious ontology, metaphysics, and epistemology.

Nik Rodewald, Loyola University of Chicago, nrodewald@luc.edu (2026-2028)

Undergraduate Students

Specifically designed for undergraduate students in the field of religious studies who wish to broaden their academic experience by presenting their research at a formal conference, this Section solicits proposals for papers by undergraduate students on any topic concerning religion.

Jonam Wang, St. Louis University, jonam.wang@slu.edu (2025-2027)

Additional Topics

Solicits proposals for papers and panels not appropriate for other Sections. Preference will be given to those proposals that focus on the topic of the annual conference keynote (To be announced for 2025). 

MAAR President