Call For Papers

Call for Papers: Canadian Theological Society 2017 Annual Meeting

Sunday, May 28 – Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Ryerson University. Toronto, Ontario.

The theme for the Canadian Theological Society for 2017 is “From Far and Wide: The Next 150.”  This theme evokes the various manifestations of Canadian identity, which is inclusive of different ideas, geographies, cultures, countries, schools of thought and disciplines, encouraging cross-­?collaboration and an interdisciplinary approach. The theme plays across time, contrasting a traditional Canadian phrase with the idea of moving forward and looking ahead to the future, as a country, and as a society.

Theological reflection on this theme includes, for example, critical engagement of nationalism, political theology, multiculturalism and changes within the Canadian religious context during the past 150 years.  We especially welcome papers and panels on the role of Christendom and settler colonialism and on Indigenous-­?Christian encounter.

As we look to the next 150 years of theological studies in Canada, we welcome constructive proposals on such themes as the nature of reconciliation, Canadian public theology, postcolonial theology, and theology within a secular and pluralistic society.  We also welcome theological contributions to understanding persons and identity, human and divine, in a world of increasingly fast-­?paced technological and biological change.

We also invite proposals on other topics in theology.

The Canadian Theological Society invites proposals pertaining to these and related themes in two formats:

1. 20/20 Presentations

We will again follow the 20/20 format used in previous years, inviting presentations of twenty minutes with twenty minutes of discussion to follow. Typically the presentation will be an account of a larger research project. Since members work in a variety of fields and specializations, attention should be given to presenting advanced work in an accessible way.

Submission

Submit a proposal that includes:

  • Title of presentation;
  • Proposal of a maximum 300-400 words (with word count), which includes an abstract, the problem your scholarship engages, and the contribution you plan to make;
  • Requests for audio-visual equipment (A/V equipment will be available only if it is requested in the proposal);
  • On a separate page, please include:
    • Presenter’s name, institution or professional affiliation, and contact information.

2. Panels

We invite panels on issues that are relevant to members, especially as related to the theme of the annual meeting. Panel proposals should be developed to foster dialogue among the panelists and with those attending in the audience.  Thus, we discourage panels that consist only of reading several papers.

Submission

Submit a proposal that includes:

  • Title of panel;
  • Length of panel (40 or 80 minutes);
  • Proposal of a maximum 300-400 words (with word count), which includes an abstract, the problem your scholarship engages, the contribution you plan to make, and how you plan to foster dialogue among panelists and audience (e.g., use and allotment of time);
  • Requests for audio-visual equipment (A/V equipment will be available only if it is requested in the proposal);
  • On a separate page, please include:
    • Convener’s name, institution, and contact information.  The convener will be the link between the panel and the CTS;
    • Names, institutions and contact information of all members of the panel;
    • Either the name and contact information of the moderator, or a request that CTS provide a moderator.

 

All proposals should be submitted in a Word or pdf file by email attachment by January 29, 2017, 4 p.m. CST to:

Jane Barter, CTS Program Chair
j.barter@uwinnipeg.ca

We will confirm receipt of all proposals submitted by email.  If you do not receive such an email confirmation within three days of submitting your proposal, call Jane Barter @ 204-789-1453.

Selection Criteria

In selecting proposals for 20/20 presentations or for panels, the committee will consider:

  • The clarity and significance of the proposal;
  • The quality of the contribution to scholarship;
  • The relationship of the presentation to the thematic focus of the annual meeting;
  • The contribution of the presentation to a diversity of perspectives and approaches;
  • The potential for inspiring discussion and engagement among the members.

Our goal as a Society is to foster collegial discussion of members’ work and of the work of other Canadian theologians. All presenters and attendees are encouraged to participate in as much of the program as possible. All presenters must be members in good standing of the CTS prior to the Annual Meeting. We welcome all members, students, and other interested persons to join us this year at the annual meeting in Toronto, Ontario.