Call for Papers: CTS 2011 Annual Meeting

Canadian Theological Society / Société théologique canadienne

May 30-June 1, 2011

Fredericton, NB

“Coasts and Continents: Exploring Peoples and Places”

The theme, ‘Coasts and Continents: Exploring peoples and places’ takes advantage of St. Thomas University and University of New Brunswick’s maritime and coastal position in Atlantic Canada and stresses the geographical, historical, literary, artistic, socio-economic and political links across the globe. Place is important as it directly and indirectly shapes an individual’s and a people’s experience. Located strategically within a global context, Congress 2011 provides a bridge to, and a link between, places and peoples.

At the same time ‘Coasts and Continents’ challenges us to reach out to take advantage of our location to embrace the Atlantic world and beyond. This theme opens up further possibilities of interchange — not only between places and peoples but also of ideas. In addition, ‘Coasts and Continents’ suggests the far-reaching potential of the humanities and social sciences for understanding the complexities of our expanding world and for challenging arbitrary borders and boundaries through interdisciplinarity.

The Congress theme of ‘Coasts and Continents: Exploring Peoples and Places’ resonates with many recent emphases in theology, such as:

• ‘globalization’, shifting cultural and religious frontiers and borderlands, new opportunities for dialogue across historic gaps and barriers;
• the emergence of post-Eurocentric Christianity age as the demographic centre of gravity shifts from North to South;
• shifting scholarly landscapes as historically marginalized voices and traditions join global dialogues;
• challenges to familiar readings of the bible, church traditions, and authority;
• fears about ‘syncretism;’ but also creative processes of religious / cultural ‘deconstruction’ and ‘reconstruction, new experiences of ‘inculturation,’ ‘hybridity,’ mestizaje;
• and recognition of theological diversity in an emerging theological pluriverse, so powerfully echoing the ancient symbol of Pentecost for a new world.

We invite papers on these and related themes, or on any topic of theology.

The specific reason for gathering as a Society is to promote discussion, debate, exchange, and collaboration among members.  To this end, the CTS/STC Executive has reconfigured the format of the “Regular Paper.”  The CTS/STC Executive also encourages all presenters to participate in as much of the program as possible.  Please remember that the CTS/STC has an inclusive language policy.

We invite proposals in one of the following three types:

Regular Paper: Presentation of 20 minutes, plus 20 minutes for discussion. Typically the presentation will be an account of a larger research project.  This format offers an opportunity to make a presentation—sketching an area of scholarly debate, key issue(s), and contribution(s) to advancing discussions—and to engage in extended dialogue with participants.  Since CTS members work in a variety of fields and specializations, attention should be given to presenting advanced work in an accessible way.

Special Paper: a formal presentation of 40 minutes, plus a 15 minute prepared response and 30 minutes for discussion.  The proposal must include the name and affiliation of the respondent.

Workshops, Panels, and Seminars: formal presentations and responses and general discussion, lasting 1½ hours. The person organizing such a session is responsible for setting the topic and enlisting participants (including moderator).

Please insure that the abstract does not include identifying information. Proposals will be reviewed anonymously, though exceptions may be made for some panels.

Proposals must have the following:

• presenter’s name, institutional affiliation, and contact information;
• title;
• type of session (regular paper, special paper, workshop, panel, or seminar);
• abstract of 200-250 words, including reference to theological dimensions and/or implications of the project;
• request for audio-visual equipment.

For all types of presentations, please submit proposal (in a Word or .rtf file by email attachment) by Friday, January 14, 2011 to:

Jeremy Bergen, CTS Program Chair
Conrad Grebel University College

e-mail: < email hidden; JavaScript is required >

*If you do not receive such an email confirmation of receipt within 3 days of submitting your proposal, call Jeremy Bergen at 519-885-0220 ext 24234.  It is your responsibility to ensure that your proposal has been received.

The CTS/STC Executive will meet in February 2011 to establish the program.

Studies in Religion is now available online

The CTS’ shared journal, Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses is now available online. Over the past year the journal has moved to a new publisher, SAGE Publications. The archives have been scanned and are available back to volume 1, no. 2 (Fall 1971).

Subscriptions to SR, as the journal is known by the religious scholars in Canada, is included in the membership fees for CTS. With the development of the new online access to the journal, each CTS full member will continue to receive a print version of the journal as well as online access to the complete archive. Articles will be available online as soon as they are prepared for publication, with the print version arriving as soon as the contents are complete.  It is hoped that this will make articles available on a more timely basis.

In addition to the journal, CTS also participates in the publication series of the CCSR. There continue to be published by the Wilfrid Laurier University Press and Les Presses de l’Université Laval. We encourage CTS members to contribute to all of these publications.

NOTE: Fully-paid members of the CTS should have received an email directly from SAGE regarding online access to the journal. If you have not received your access instructions, please check your membership status with the CTS Secretary at < email hidden; JavaScript is required >. Once you have established your username and password with SAGE, you can access the journal directly from the CTS website (see the link on the menu).