This Unit will examine the range of topics, disciplines, and methodologies that can be brought into dialogue with Mormonism as studied in an academic environment. It is interested in exploring strategies for teaching about Mormonism, both as the main focus of a class or as a unit within a survey course. It seeks to identify the best resources available for teaching and understanding the tradition and provide encouragement for scholars to fill gaps in what is currently available. The Unit encourages significant comparative studies and interdisciplinary cross-fertilization and hopes to explore intersections between Mormonism and ethics, theology, philosophy, ecclesiology, missiology, spirituality, arts and literature, sociology, scripture, and liberation studies.
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Mormon Studies Unit
Call for Proposals for November Meeting
The Mormon Studies Unit welcomes papers and/or panels on a variety of themes and topics relating to the Mormon tradition, broadly defined. The proposals should analyze the material in terms of the academic study of religion. For the 2024 conference, we propose a few themes:
- Mormonism and Activism-We seek proposals that explore the history and practices of various social, political and religious activism in Mormon contexts.
- Mormonism and Sexuality-We seek proposals that examine Mormonism and sexuality from a historical, ethnographic, or sociological lens.
- Mormonism and Borderlands-In recognition of being near the US/Mexico border for the San Diego conference, we seek proposals and examine Mormonism's role in borderlands, physical and metaphorical.
Open Call: Other papers or panels dealing with aspects of Mormonism not mentioned in the previous call will also be considered. Papers may be selected for their relevance to themes which emerge among other submissions.
Panel proposals welcome.
Call for Proposals for Online June Meeting
The Mormon Studies Unit welcomes papers and/or panels on a variety of themes and topics relating to the Mormon tradition, broadly defined. The proposals should analyze the material in terms of the academic study of religion. For the online session, we propose a few themes:
Global Mormonism- We seek proposals that examine Mormonism in global context, as well as those that explore the methodologies and frameworks for such a project.
Mormonism and Indigeneity- We seek proposals that consider the interrelationship between Mormonism and Indigeneity in a variety of contexts.
Panel proposals welcome.
Statement of Purpose
Chairs
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Sara Patterson, Hanover College1/1/2019 - 12/31/2024
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Jana Riess, Religion News Service1/1/2024 - 12/31/2029
Steering Committee Members
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Esiteli Hafoka, Stanford University1/1/2022 - 12/31/2027
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Max Mueller, University of Nebraska1/1/2019 - 12/31/2024
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Benjamin Park,1/1/2023 - 12/31/2028
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Benjamin Park, Sam Houston State University1/1/2024 - 12/31/2029
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Taylor Petrey, Kalamazoo College1/1/2024 - 12/31/2029