“Constructing Christianity” A mini-­‐conference at the University of South Carolina Sat. Nov. 5, 2011, 9am -­4pm, Close-­Hipp Building (BA) 401 Assembling scholars from across the region, this gathering features papers and discussions on the shaping of early Christian teachings, rituals, sacred spaces, and communities; on the meaning of “Christian” for people ancient and modern; and on methods that scholars use to study religion. All people interested in the academic study of religion are welcome. Speakers include: H. Gregory Snyder (Davidson College) On the labeling of things as “Christian” Erin Roberts (University of South Carolina) On early Christian concepts of sin Jeremy Schott (University of North Carolina at Charlotte) On reading early Christian theological texts Derek Krueger (University of North Carolina at Greensboro) On the interpretation of early Christian liturgy as ritual Adam M. Schor (University of South Carolina) On the social networks of early Christian clergymen Christina Shepardson (University of Tennessee at Knoxville) On struggles over control of early Christian sacred spaces Katja Vehlow (University of South Carolina) On Christianity as portrayed by medieval-­‐era Jews Sponsored by the USC History Center, for info, See: www.cas.sc.edu/hist/ hc/events/nov.html “Constructing Christianity,” A USC History Center Mini-Conference
Saturday November 5, 2011, University of South Carolina
9:00 am
Coffee, sweet tea and welcome
9:30 am:
“Armadillos and Ancient Christians: What Do They Have in Common?”
H. Gregory Snyder (Davidson College)
Comment: Benjamin White (Clemson University)
10:10 am:
“Constructing a Christian Concept of Sin”
Erin Roberts (University of South Carolina)
Comment: Heike Sefrin-Weis (University of South Carolina)
10:50 am:
More coffee and sweet tea
11:00 am:
“Bakhtin and the Fathers: The Ethics of the (Written) Word”
Jeremy Schott (University of North Carolina at Charlotte)
Comment: James Cutsinger (University of South Carolina)
11:40 am:
“Liturgy and the Production of Penance: Towards an Early Byzantine
Theory of Ritual”
Derek Krueger (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)
Comment: Judith Kalb (University of South Carolina)
12:20 pm:
Lunch break
1:50 pm:
“Constructing the Christian Clergy: Letter Collections and Social
Networks”
Adam M. Schor (University of South Carolina)
Comment: Carol Harrison (University of South Carolina)
2:30 pm:
“Controlling Contested Places: Constructing Religious Orthodoxy in
Fourth-Century Antioch”
Tina Shepardson (University of Tennessee at Knoxville)
Comment: Saskia Coenen-Snyder (University of South Carolina)
3:10 pm:
“The Emergence of Christianity in the Jewish Middle Ages”
Katja Vehlow (University of South Carolina)
Comment: Dan Littlefield (University of South Carolina)