The Midwest Region of the American Academy of Religion invites paper and panel proposals that engage material and sensory cultures of religion from any historical, geographical, or theoretical specialization. This section of the MAAR welcomes submissions that investigate religious art and iconography, embodiment, commonplace artifacts, music and aural cultures, sensoria, architecture, media and technology, food studies, and museums, among other relevant topics, as primary modes of inquiry and analysis from scholars in the Midwest and beyond who will contribute to this growing conversation. This year we are especially interested in proposals that engage the conference theme of "Religion in Higher Education," including but not limited to the intersection of digital humanities and material culture studies of religion. Proposals may approach material, visual, and/or sensory cultures of religion from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including, but not limited to, religious studies, history, anthropology, fine art, theology, museum studies, and American Studies. Papers and panels organized around books, films, museum exhibits, archival collections, teaching projects, and digital humanities projects are also encouraged. Upload 250-450 word proposals to https://sites.google.com/site/aarmidwestregion/call-for-papers by January 10, 2017. Graduate and advanced undergraduate students are encouraged to submit their work.
Rachel McBride Lindsey, Material and Sensory Cultures of Religion Section Chair