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June 3-6
Saint Vincent College (Pennsylvania)
Mary, Seat of Wisdom: Refuge and Rabble-Rouser
Xavier M. Montecel, St. Mary's University (TX)
Nicole L. Reibe, Creighton University
Sandra Yocum, University of Dayton
Conveners
In the past 15 years, there has been a reemergence of Marian theology and study of popular religious devotion to Mary in unexpected places. As the North American theological academy is rightly becoming more diverse and international, students and scholars are exploring Mary from a rich variety of perspectives. Theologians are examining Mary as refuge for those experiencing human trafficking, physical and sexual abuse, and other forms of violence. Systematicians and ethicists are employing new lenses – political theology, queer theology, ecological theology, and trauma theory – to reveal new dimensions in Mariology and how devotion to Mary shapes the life of marginalized communities. Historical theologians are unearthing Marian devotional practices that have been buried by colonial and patriarchal powers, including practices that often challenge such destructive powers. In biblical studies, scholars are contributing new works on Mary, placing her in dialogue with traditions that ordain women. Mary has also inspired a flourishing of art and material culture. At the same time, Mary serves as a rallying figure for conservative Catholic piety and theology. To be devoted to Mary is to wear a badge of “traditional” Catholicism. The Mother of God is many things to many people.
The 2027 Annual Meeting of the College Theology Society will focus on Mary in the 21st century, and the attending Annual Volume will provide a space for new voices and approaches. The goal of the convention theme and plenary speakers is to bring together lay and religious, ecumenical and interfaith, multicultural and popular traditions around the figure of Mary, Seat of Wisdom, the patroness of the College Theology Society. The Society invites contributions from a wide range of disciplines and methods in theology and related fields, including the social sciences and the arts. Work that investigates Mary from the more traditional vantage points of Mariology as well as work examining Mary from newer perspectives – social, political, ecological – are all welcome.
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Scholars who are invited to present their work at a national convention of the College Theology Society must be current members of the CTS in order to appear in the program. No person may submit more than one proposal for consideration nor will submissions to multiple sections be considered. Failure to observe these policies may result in the scholar's disqualification to present a paper at the Annual Convention.
The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion (NABPR) will once again be joining us this year.
Further questions about our 2027 Annual Convention can be submitted by email to Katherine Greiner, kgreiner@carroll.edu.
If you would like to propose a host site for a future annual meeting of the College Theology Society, please fill out this form and submit it to the Secretary, President, and Director of Conventions by emailing to secretary@collegetheology.org.
The College Theology Society is a registered, non-profit professional society and a Related Scholarly Organization of the American Academy of Religion. |
