In perusing the preliminary schedule for ASCH’s annual conference in San Diego, January 7-10, 2010, I came across a number of Mormon-themed presentations along with a host of other very interesting looking presentations:
The panel on Theologians, Preachers, and Prophets features a paper by Christopher Blythe, “Joseph Being Dead Yet Speaketh: The Ascension of a Martyred Prophet in Nineteenth-Century Mormonism.”
The panel, “Changing Attitudes Toward Women” features a paper by Quincy Newell, “Black Jane/Aunt Jane: Negotiating Race and Gender in the Nineteenth Century LDS Church.”
Finally, there is a whole panel entitled “Joseph Smith, Mormon Scripture, and Textual Criticism: A Roundtable on the Book of Commandments and Revelations” featuring Steve Harper, Dean Jessee, Jan Shipps and Grant Underwood with Stephen J. Stein commenting.
I haven’t checked the schedule for past conferences to compare, (maybe someone knows off the top of their head), but it seems like a good showing. Anyone planning on being there? Any thoughts on ASCH and Mormonism?
The papers this year on Mormonism look solid. The only disappointment is that the session of the JSP got stuck in the late Sunday morning time slot, which is probably not a good sign. My impression is that just about every year there is at least a paper or two at ASCH treating Mormonism. Stan and I each presented on Mormon topics at the spring meeting earlier this year (in a session that also included a paper by Matt B. on a topic not dealing with Mormonism), and it was actually pretty well attended. It’s also worth noting that the 2007 annual meeting was held in SLC, and Mormonism was prominently included in the program.
Based on my experience at the Spring meeting, I’d recommend it as a venue to present research on Mormonism that speaks to larger issues. It attracts big names in the field of Am. Religious History, and thus is an important place to network. The Spring meeting, which is much smaller than the Winter meeting (held in conjunction with AHA each year), was very intimate and folks were very friendly.
Comment by Christopher — November 11, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
Chris, thank you for that perspective. I had forgotten your report on the 2007 ASCH here.
It’s also worth noting that the ASCH has cut back on its Spring conferences to every odd numbered year.
Comment by Jared T — November 11, 2009 @ 3:46 pm
The AHA itself will have more than typical coverage of Mormonism, partly due to the conference’s focus on Proposition 8 and partly — perhaps — because of the current AHA president, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.
Comment by John Turner — November 11, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
I just added it to MormonConferences.org. Thanks!
Comment by Kent (MC) — November 12, 2009 @ 2:24 pm