There will be about six (6) open places on the convention program for sessions initiated by CTSA members beyond the 18 Topic Sessions, 7 consultations, and 8 Interest Groups which are already in progress. The CTSA Program Committee of the Board of Directors invites proposals for such “Selected Sessions.”  These Selected Sessions may be structured as the presentation of a paper or papers, a panel discussion, or as a workshop.  Each Selected Session should have a Convener (who is responsible for planning and organizing the session) and a Moderator (who calls the session to order, introduces participants, keeps time, and prepares a report of the session for the Proceedings).

PROPOSALS SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION, IN THIS ORDER:

1. Convener’s name, address, telephone number, fax, and e-mail address.

2. General topic.

3. Precise title of the session (brief, as it is to be listed in the program).

4. Format of the session. Examples:
     • paper and open discussion
     • paper, response, and open discussion
     • two papers and open discussion
     • panel of three presenters (15 minutes of input from each) and open discussion.  Time for robust
       discussion and exchange with those in attendance must be structured into the proposal.

5. Names of the moderator, presenters or panelists, and respondents, along with their institutional affiliation.  CTSA membership in good standing is normally presumed for participation.  Justification for exceptions should be explained in the proposal.  Please list full names as they are to appear on the program.

6. A 200-500 word description of the content, rationale, and relevance of the session.  Indicate in a general way the background literature to which the session will refer, or the key themes, figures, and texts to be discussed.  Applicants are encouraged to take the theme into consideration in designing their proposals, though attention to the convention theme is not at all a requirement for submission.

Keep in mind the following CTSA policies:

• Ordinarily there may be no more than three presenters in a session. Exceptions must be justified in the proposal, and require the approval of the Program Committee (chaired by the President-Elect).
• With the exception of underrepresented groups, no one may have more than one speaking role (as presenter or respondent) on the program.
  

Proposals should be sent to:

John Thiel
President-Elect
Catholic Theological Society of America
Dept. of Religious Studies
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06824

Proposals may also be submitted by e-mail attachment (Microsoft Word or PDF format) to jthiel@fairfield.edu.Deadline for proposals: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2010

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Guidelines for Selected Session Proposals for 2011 Convention (pdf file, doc file)