Middle Eastern Christianity Unit

The Middle Eastern Christianity unit welcomes proposals on the following topics from all academic fields of study (sociology, ethnography, history, theology, literary theory, ritual studies, etc.) as they are applied to Middle Eastern Christians in any of their communities throughout history, whether in their native lands, or as immigrants throughout the world.

Successful proposals must present a clear thesis, explain the theoretical and methodological approaches of the research, and identify a specific body of evidence that the research will interpret. Please make good use of the allowed word count to submit a well developed proposal. The Middle Eastern Christianity Unit encourages and promotes the inclusion of all scholarly voices and invites proposals from scholars of all ethnic/national backgrounds, genders, professional ranks, disciplinary perspectives, and life circumstances.

Liberation Theologies of the Middle East (co-sponsored with the Liberation Theologies Unit)

A growing number of Christian theologians in the Middle East have deployed liberation theology as a means of understanding their fraught political, social, and economic contexts across the region. We invite contributions addressing the strengths and difficulties in such theological engagement and engaging specific social, political, and economic contexts in the region. Proposals from scholars and theologians of/from the Middle East are especially encouraged. This will be the second of two sessions the Middle Eastern Christianity Unit is sponsoring this year focusing on Middle Eastern theologies, the first being held virtually in June. Panelists are encouraged, but not required, to attend the virtual session to attend especially to the theological work being produced by Middle Eastern-based scholars for whom travel to the US in November may be difficult.

How do we teach about the Middle East?

The Middle Eastern Christianity unit invites proposals for a round-table discussion answering the question: How do we, as scholars of religion, teach about the Middle East? This question recalls the deep historical roots of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions in the region and the contemporary diversity of those communities. This question is also pressing in light of the Israel-Hamas war and the requests for information that many of us are receiving from other scholars, students, and members of our broader communities. What pedagogical approaches should we consider for courses focusing specifically on the Middle East, for courses that can only touch briefly on the region, or for other venues in which we may be asked to teach about the Middle East? What resources are available – including textbooks, audio/visual sources, and digital tools – for teaching and understanding the region and its religious communities?

Middle Eastern Christianity and the Politics of Archeology

The Middle Eastern Christianity unit invites paper proposals on Middle Eastern Christianity and the politics of archaeology in the region. The panel aims to explore the multifaceted dynamics of violence and destructive acts on material culture, particularly in the context of manuscripts, the manuscript trade, and cultural heritage management. We encourage submissions that delve into historical, sociopolitical, and theological perspectives, offering critical insights into how these elements intersect with the preservation and destruction of cultural heritage.