Annual Meeting of the
North American Association for the Study of Religion
(NAASR)
November 6th – 7th 2009
Montréal, Québec, Canada

The North American Association for the Study of Religion (NAASR) was formed in 1985 to encourage theoretical reflection on the various approaches to the study of religion among North American scholars; to represent North American scholars of religion internationally; and to sustain communication between North American scholars and their international colleagues.

NAASR has a global perspective and is committed to examining any intellectual practices in the field regardless of geographical location or disciplinary boundaries. Our central concerns are with the intellectual and theoretical foundations of the study of religion, with the historical, social, and political conditions that shape the intellectual orientations and practices of the field, and with the place of criticism, experimentation, and theorizing of religion in relation to scientific theories.

We invite proposals for individual papers and for panels that engage important theoretical issues in the academic study of religion (both historical and contemporary), and are particularly interested in the following topics:

• Frameworks and interdisciplinary connections that might be particularly productive for the future of a critical study of religion. (For example, why do certain works, authors, and frameworks concerning religion and its study command more authority and attention than others? What kinds of works are being neglected, and what benefit might be gained by fostering interaction between the variety of authors and frameworks?).
• The history of the study of religion. Sessions might examine the formation of categories such as ritual, myth, religion, and secularity. Do these categories have cross-cultural currency, utility, or heuristic value?
• The relation between/among/within the science of religion, biblical studies, and theology in current practices of the study of religion.

Panels of three papers with a respondent are preferred but alternative formats are welcome.
Individual Paper Proposals should include the title of the paper, an abstract, and the author’s affiliation and contact information.

Panel Proposals should include the title of the panel and the names, affiliations, and contact information of the organizer and panelists or paper presenters. A chair and/or respondent may be proposed, or NAASR will assist in arranging them, as appropriate. A title and abstract for each paper should also be supplied. Please keep in mind that a typical duration of a session is two and a half hours, and sufficient time should be reserved for public discussion.

Please send inquiries and proposals to:
Bryan Rennie
NAASR Vice President and Program Chair
Vira I. Heinz Professor of Religion
Westminster College
Market Street
New Wilmington, PA 16172
Phone: 724-946-7151
FAX: 724-946-7256
Email: brennie@westminster.edu

E–mail submissions are preferred and will be accepted until April 20, 2009

www.naasr.com