The One Hundred Forty-Eighth Meeting
THE AMERICAN THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Midwest Division
The One Hundred Forty-Eighth Meeting
Friday, October 26, 2001
Swift Hall, The Divinity School
The University of Chicago
1025 East 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
THEOLOGICAL TABLE TALK 1:00 – 3:00 P.M.
Third Floor Lecture Hall
Political Issues in Religion Courses
What’s a professor to do?
Discussion Leader: David L. Weddle
Professor of Religion, Colorado College
President, ATS (Midwest Division)
Registration and Afternoon Refreshments 3:00 – 3:15 P.M.
Third Floor Lecture Hall
AFTERNOON PROGRAM 3:15 – 5:15 P.M.
Third Floor Lecture Hall
Religion in a Dangerous World: Terrorism, Patriarchy, and Other Faith-Based Initiatives
Kathleen Sands
Associate Professor in the Study of Religion
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Reception, Dinner, and Business Meeting 5:15 – 7:00 P.M.
Swift Hall Commons Room
EVENING PROGRAM 7:00 – 8:45 P.M.
Third Floor Lecture Hall
Jesus: Political Philosopher?
Larry L. Greenfield
Senior Scholar, The Martin Marty Center
Principle Investigator, “Faith & Healthy Sexuality Project,” Planned Parenthood
ATS Officers (Midwest Division)
Edgar A. Towne, Member-at-Large
Carol Rausch Albright, Vice President
Paul P. Parker, Secretary-Treasurer
The Program: If politics can be spoken of as the art and science of persons living together, individuals and nation-states alike would be well advised to pay more attention to political concerns. To this end, the American Theological Society (Midwest Division) will focus on the theme of Theology, Politics, and Public Life at the University of Chicago’s Divinity School on Friday afternoon and evening, October 26, 2001.
The Society’s meeting will begin with Theological Table Talk, a round-table discussion about the presence of politics in courses on religion. Education can liberate or enslave, undermine a society or support it, empower critical thought or propagandize, address current political topics or avoid them, but education is always political. ATS President, David Weddle, will moderate the conversation drawing upon participants’ experiences, commitments, pedagogical practices, and philosophies of education. Following the panel discussion, the Society will hear and discuss Kathleen Sands’ provocative paper on Religion in a Dangerous World: Terrorism, Patriarchy, and Other Faith-Based Initiatives. Kathleen writes extensively and speaks across the country on issues such as politics, sex, and religion in the public sphere. She is currently at the Radcliffe Bunting Institute where she is working on a book about the Constitution and religious language. In the last paper of the day, Larry Greenfield will explore the nature of Jesus’ political involvement. And sandwiched between the presentations and discussions, the Society has carved out a time and a place for you to share your ideas and projects with your colleagues.
If you are unable to attend the full meeting, you should feel free to participate in whichever segment of the program is available to you. The Executive Committee designs each program for critical professional engagement and collegial relaxation. Why not take a break from your routine and commune with your colleagues over good food and drink for mind, body, and soul? For further information, contact Paul Parker at the addresses below.
Registration and Dinner Reservations: Every fall and spring meeting our colleagues of the host institutions will find their workload greatly eased if we register for the meeting and make reservations for the dinner. Registration and reservations could not be simpler. Call, write, or email Paul Parker through your medium of choice and declare your intentions: office phone (630) 617-3559; paulp@elmhurst.edu; or Department of Theology and Religion, Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126. Dinner is $12.00. Because ATS meetings are supported by the host institution, registration is without charge for which we are deeply appreciative.
Dues: Annual membership dues (to cover the costs of printing, mail, and other incidentals) are $15 for members and $10 for associate members to be remitted to the Secretary Treasurer, Paul Parker, each year at the fall meeting. Attention to this is appreciated. Also, the Society’s membership role remains strong only as we invite our eligible colleagues to join us and sponsor them for membership. Advocacy for the Society is important.
Directions and Parking: Swift Hall of The Divinity School is near the center of the University’s Main Quadrangle between East 57th and East 59th Streets, and between Ellis Avenue and University Avenue. Parking is available at the University of Chicago Hospitals’ parking garage for a fee (enter from Maryland off 58th or 59th). Otherwise, parking may be found (with persistence) on nearby streets. A map and specific directions for those arriving by air, car, or train can be found by following the prompts at The University’s website, www.uchicago.edu.