We are a vibrant community of regional scholars and educators, part of the premier professional organization for professors in Theology, Religion, and Sacred Texts.

This site provides up-to-date information on Regional activities, including the annual Regional Conference, as well as numerous other useful services. Use the navigation bar at the top of the page to learn about the Region and to page through the archives of past conferences, and much more.

The PROGRAM for UMWAAR and the Iowa Interfaith conferences on april 12-14, 2024, is posted under conference 2024

We are pleased with the nature and variety of papers being presented and glad to join our meeting with the events of the iowa interfaith conference (see program). we also look forward to presentations by PRof. douglas kries (aar) and dr. sarah mccammon (Interfaith)

those presenting, as well as students and visitors, need to register. there are different categories of registration for faculty, adjunct faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and visitors. the fees differ.

Regional conference 2024

Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13, 2024

Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa

Guest Speaker of the Conference

Professor Douglas Kries

Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington

Topic: “Religions and their Communities: Is Philosophy Friend of Foe?”

ABSTRACT

     Both philosophy and religion make claims about the highest things, including the highest things most important for political life. Beginning with some selected passages from Plato and Augustine, this presentation will first outline the predominant position on the relationship between religion, politics, and philosophy as it was understood within “ancient” philosophy. The second task of the talk will be to consider some of the main lines of “modern” philosophy’s view of the relationship between the three, treating especially Francis Bacon and Immanuel Kant, as well as the “historicists.” The talk will treat the questions involved especially from the point of view of philosophy, asking in particular whether philosophy must understand itself principally as a “foe” or a “friend” of religion and the communities religion gives rise to. 

Hotel Information 

• For those planning to attend the events and site visits of the Iowa Interfaith Conference (from Friday-Sunday), please contact Timothy Knepper (tim.knepper@drake.edu) for hotel accommodations. (Up to three rooms will be supplied free of charge for the first ten schools/cohorts.) 

• For those attending the UMWAAR conference only, hotel accommodations are available for $119/night (+ 12% sales tax) at the Downtown/Mercy Holiday Inn (1050 6th Ave, Des Moines). Reservations can be made by calling 515-283-0151 or clicking here: American Academy of Religion Booking Link. In either case, request the group block for the “American Academy of Religion – Drake University.” Please also note that this group block will be released on 03/29/2024. There is a free shuttle service between Downtown/Mercy Holiday Inn and Drake University.

Conference Registration Information Under Menu Tab (top right) 

About

Did you know that the Upper Midwest Region covers an area of over 2 million square miles? Learn even more about our region and the organizations that sponsor us here.

Learn More →