CALL FOR PAPERS
FOR THE 2008
JOINT MEETING
OF
THE MIDWEST REGION OF THE
SOCIETY OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE
THE MIDDLE WEST BRANCH OF
THE AMERICAN ORIENTAL SOCIETY
THE AMERICAN SCHOOLS OF
ORIENTAL RESEARCH – MIDWEST
February 15-17, 2008
Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL
The theme of the conference is “The Body, Healing, and Medicine,” and we welcome proposals on topics related to this theme, as well as other topics. Plenary speakers and their topics are currently being invited.
Please note that you must be registered to read a paper at the conference. The deadline for abstracts is EARLY this year: January 8 by post, January 10 by e-mail. SBL abstracts should be sent by email to the sections online.
Conference information will be posted on the Midwest SBL site (http://www.midwestsbl.org/) as it is finalized.
Please direct AOS/ASOR abstract and inquiries to Matt Waters, Dep’t of Foreign Languages, 358 Hibbard Hall, UW-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004 watersmw@uwec.edu
Please send SBL proposals by email directly to section leaders listed online. If further information is needed, please contact Mark Whitters, Dept of History & Philosophy, 701 Pray-Harrold, E. Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 markwhitters@yahoo.com
Dear Colleagues:
The 2008 Annual Meeting of the Midwest Region of the SBL, AOS, and ASOR is scheduled for 15-17 February, 2008, at the Weber Center of Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL, about one hour south of Chicago.
The officers of the societies invite you as members to submit paper proposals related to your research interests. Please download from this website the Abstract Form. (See button on webpage.) Send SBL proposals to section leaders listed online and AOS/ASOR proposals to Matt Waters, whose address appears on the Abstract Form and below.
We are pleased to be able to offer onsite our second annual “Student Religious Studies Conference” during the day, 15 February. It was a great success last year with over 50 participants. Our regular meeting last year attracted more interest last year and we hope to continue this trend. This year we will also offer two new sections: “Apocrypha and Cognate Literature” and “Gender Studies and the Bible.”
Major Themes for the 2008 Meeting:
The Friday evening plenary session speakers for “The Body, Healing, and Medicine” have yet to be confirmed. Currently we have lined up Joann Scurlock of Elmhurst College and Hector Avalos of Iowa State University. Both are renowned for their work in the areas of ancient Mediterranean and Mesopotamian medical care.
Troy Martin (St. Xavier University; Midwest SBL President) will deliver his presidential address, on the theme of “The Battle of Blood and Breath: Biblical Breathing,” at the Saturday evening banquet.
Please note the instructions for the Graduate Student Paper Competition. (See the button on the website.) Qualifying papers should be submitted to Dr. Ritva Williams by 15 December, 2007.
Also, we are inviting nominations for the Midwest SBL Regional Scholar Award. (Please see button on the webpage.) Nominations should be submitted to Prof. Troy W. Martin by 1 December, 2007.
Lodging is available at a number of hotels in Bourbonnais, IL, each a few minutes car ride to Olivet Nazarene University. Blocks of rooms at a conference rate have been reserved at the following hotels. Prices do not include 10% room tax. Reservations should be made by 15 January 2008, under the name “SBL” or “Conference at Nazarene University.”
Holiday Inn Express (815-932-4411; 888-HOLIDAY); conference rate = $72 (single or double)
Reservations direct link:
Fairfield Inn (815-935-1334; 888-236-2427); conference rate = $85.99 (single or double)
Web site:
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/CHIKK
Hampton Inn (815-932-8369; 800-HAMPTON); conference rate = $75 (single or double)
Hotel web site:
http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=IKKILHX
Lees Inn (815-932-8080); conference rate = $59. Registration code: SBL. Hotel web site:
http://www.leesinn.com/kankakee.htm
Quality Inn (815-939-3501); conference rate = $69. Hotel chain site: http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HomePage?sid=QBgRg.0N7dMgVDM.8
Please download and mail the Registration Form (see button on the webpage) with payment to Midwest Region of the Society of Biblical Literature, c/o Mark F. Whitters, Dept. of History & Philosophy, 701 Pray-Harrold; Eastern Michigan University; Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Please note that you must be registered to read a paper at the conference. The abstract deadline is EARLY this year: 8 January by post (AOS/ASOR), 10 January by email (SBL; all other AOS/ASOR).
Please direct SBL inquiries to Mark Whitters (email: MarkWhitters@yahoo.com) and AOS/ASOR inquiries to Matt Waters (e-mail: watersmw@uwec.edu).
The joint annual meeting offers a wonderful opportunity to meet new colleagues, see old friends, try out research ideas, and enjoy a lively exchange in a friendly environment. All students, teachers, and interested individuals who are involved with religion and the Bible are welcome. Especially this year the topics discussed promise to be diverse and stimulating. We hope you will be able to join us in February.
Sincerely,
Mark Whitters, Coordinator, Midwest SBL
Matt Waters, Secretary/Treasurer, Midwest AOS