The Art and Practice of Teaching Theology

2025 Call for Papers

Julia Brumbaugh, Regis University (CO)

jbrumbau@regis.edu

Dana Dillon, Providence College (RI)

ddillon@providence.edu

Alessandro Rovati, Belmont Abbey College (NC)

alessandrorovati@bac.edu

 

The Art and Practice of Teaching Theology section of the CTS invites paper and panel proposals that address any and all pedagogical issues related to the teaching of theology, with particular interest in those that address the conference theme: “The Locus of the Theological Vocation.” This year invites attention to the changing loci of the practice of theology. As our institutions of higher education shift and as the identities and needs of our students change, how does the vocation of the theological educator change? What are the new skills, arts, and practices needed? What are the new communities of support and challenge that are required? What are the concerns and opportunities that emerge as theological core requirements disappear, shift, or are maintained but offered in contexts with less support for both liberal arts core requirements and religious belief and practice? What other communities, besides those found in higher education, might be supported by/support theological education? What places do seminaries and seminary professors have in this shifting landscape? 

 

Proposals may include, but are not limited to: 

• What are the key changes in our student populations and how might they shift our understanding of the role of theology and the vocation of the theologian? 

• What crucial shifts are happening in our institutions (colleges, seminaries, universities, parishes, hospitals and other apostolates) that alter the place and function of required (or no longer required?) courses in theology? 

• How do emerging technologies (especially generative AI) shift our students’ needs and change how we should approach the task of teaching theology? 

• What is the place (if any) of what has been traditionally called catechesis in college classrooms, particularly in contexts where students bring little or no knowledge of Christian faith or practice (or of other religious traditions)? 

 

Preference will be given to collaborative and interdisciplinary papers and presentations. Proposals for pedagogically creative formats are welcome as are proposals for traditional paper presentations.  

 

Proposals should be 250-500 words in length and include: 

• one’s current institutional affiliation and position (though unaffiliated scholars are welcome). 

• a working title 

• a brief description of the topic and methodology 

• a selected bibliography 

• anticipated AV needs  

 

Proposals should be emailed to all three conveners by December 15, 2024. Scholars will be notified of the status of their proposals by mid-January.