It's that time of year again... time for the Salt Lake Sunstone call for papers! Those of you who have never been to a Symposium before really ought to check it out. It's loads of fun. Those of you who have attended but never presented a paper before need to get over the stage fright and submit an abstract or a panel proposal. It's easier than it sounds, I promise. Got some interesting stories to share? A devotional? A unique perspective on faith? Want to talk about how green jello is really an archetypal symbol with some arcane spiritual meaning? Want to get a panel of message board participants to talk about how the boards have (or haven't) changed their outlook on the Mormon faith? Make your abstract sound at least passingly intelligent, and they'll probably let you present. The more (and the more unique) the merrier, I say.
Here's the skinny. The Symposium takes place on 12-15 August 2009 at the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel. There are special conference rates, just over a hundred bucks a night. The conference theme is Zion's Sisterhood: Celebrating Mormon Women's Contributions to Church and Culture. But you can submit an abstract on any subject, as long as it's Mormon-related. Act quickly, though. The deadline for submitting proposals is 20 May 2009. (Short notice, I know. Sorry about that. I just received the announcement in the mail today.)
All proposals must include:
A session title
A 100-word abstract
Name, brief bio/vita, and contact information for all proposed participants/presenters
A list of any audio/visual equipment needs
A brief summary of the topic's relevance to Mormon Studies
If possible, please include a preliminary draft.
Late or incomplete proposals will be considered on a time and space-available basis.
Send email proposals to MARY dot ELLEN at SUNSTONEMAGAZINE dot COM or mail proposals to 343 N Third West, Salt Lake City, UT 84103.
Here are the ideas I'm bandying around right now. I'll probably submit an abstract on one of these topics.
A source-critical analysis of the Book of Abraham
A response to alleged ancient parallels to the Book of Abraham
Mormon dispensationalism in the context of 19th-century evangelicalism
Mormon elements in the novels of Orson Scott Card
A reflection on my personal faith journey, and in particular how it has been influenced by my obsession with Mormonism and Mormon history
Feel free to vote for your favorite. ;-)
4 comments:
Totally unrelated to this post Chris, but is this you presenting at SMPT this weekend?
If so, good luck! It sounds like an interesting presentation and I wish I could be there to hear it.
Yup, that's me alright!! Thanks!
Of the topics you've listed, I'd be most interested in "Mormon dispensationalism in the context of 19th-century evangelicalism." The belief in a series of "dispensations" is pretty central to the Mormon worldview, and I'd be curious to know more about the history and context of this idea.
I wouldn't present on the Book of Abraham. That whole thing is such an obvious mess for Mormons that picking at it almost seems gratuitously mean. As far as OSC is concerned, I think a lot of people would be interested in a discussion of the Mormon themes in his work, but I wouldn't be among them since I've never read any of his stuff. That leaves your faith journey, which would be my second choice after the dispensationalism idea.
lol @ your Book of Abraham comment.
I already submitted the Orson Scott Card abstract. I still intend to eventually write something on Mormon dispensationalism, though, maybe as part of my dissertation research. So, I'll have to let you know when I get around to it!
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