CALL FOR PAPERS

Toronto School of Theology Graduate Students’ Association (TGSA) Conference
Spring 2022

Traversing Schemas of Normativity: Methodological Concerns in Theology
Friday, June 10th, 2022

Discussions on the effectiveness and potential limitations of critical theories in theological discourse have begun to receive an increasing amount of attention. These theories, which may seek to recontextualize, supplant, or dispel normative and archaic structures of thought, present new motivations, possibilities, and potential conclusions to the theological project. Normative claims can be defined as a specified judgment of value that acts as a controlling standard in a larger structure of thought typically enforced as a hegemonic ideal. “Traversing Schemas of Normativity: Methodological Concerns in Theology” seeks to be a forum where graduate researchers can present their work regarding the use and reception of normativizing and hegemonic claims regarding scripture, spirituality, and/or theological understanding. Presentations may demonstrate the pragmatic need for normative schemas or illustrate their cognitive and affective limitations. Normative schemas are laden in all forms of knowing; however, what we wish to ask is, how can recognition and critical engagement with normative structures/claims in the theological context inspire new methods for theological contemplation? The conference will also set out to examine how emerging critical perspectives (decolonial, feminist, contextualist, ecological, et al.) can engage with and recontextualize normative claims.

Papers might explore themes such as:

– Normative notions found in Theological Anthropology
– Prior structures of thought that have imposed hegemonic standards of a particular culture
– How differing methodologies impact Scriptural exegesis
– The use of critical perspectives in the flourishing of theological reflection
– The dimension between theoretical and practical theology
– Interreligious and multicultural considerations to theological reflection

Graduate students are invited to propose 20-minute presentations by submitting a title and abstract of no more than 400 words in an MS Word document and sent to tgsaconferences@gmail.com no later than Monday, April 11th. Selected proposals will be presented on Friday, June 10th, 2022, in an online format in accordance with current health and safety precautions. All inquiries can be directed to tgsaconferences@gmail.com.

Graduate students of theology anywhere in the world are invited to submit a paper proposal.

The Toronto School of Theology is an ecumenical consortium of theological schools affiliated with the University of Toronto.