http://www.aarweb.org/Meetings/Annual_Meeting/Program_Units/Resources_for_Chairs/newunit.asp
Proposing a New Program Unit
The Program Committee is actively seeking proposals for new program units, especially proposals that address (1) areas of pent-up demand, (2) scholarly fields that are weakened or threatened by the separation of the AAR and SBL annual meetings, and (3) new and emerging fields.
Send proposals to annualmeeting@aarweb.org by November 29, 2007. The Program Committee meets each December to review and approve any proposals. Check out the Annual Meeting Task Force Report for some suggested areas where new proposals are especially needed.
If you would like some help with your proposal, call or e-mail Jack Fitzmier at 404-727-3049 or jfitzmier@aarweb.org. Samples of successful proposals are available from Aislinn Jones at ajones@aarweb.org.
How To Make a Proposal
The proposal is your opportunity to make the case for the new program unit by presenting a clear rationale, analytical focus, approaches, and objectives of the unit.
In two-to-four typewritten pages:
- Give the title of the new unit.
- Identify & define/describe the scholarly field the unit addresses, making an intellectual argument for the new unit..
- State the need & the unit’s purpose.
- Note the scope, directions, and approaches the unit might take.
- Distinguish this unit from other existing program units.
- Additional information:
- List the AAR members who will chair the unit (1-2) & serve on the steering committee (3-5).
- Provide a bibliography of published works on the topic.
- List AAR members who are interested in, and support the work of, the proposed unit.
Which Type of Program Unit To Propose?
Consultations are the most common type of new unit. A Consultation provides a platform for a group of members to announce a line of inquiry new to the AAR program and to seek out others interested in pursuing it further. While some consultations pursue a limited agenda and end after three or fewer years, others develop a constituency interested in exploring a topic for a longer period and eventually apply for group status.
Groups are appropriate for a scholarly conversation that has already identified its constituency and that needs more program space to do its work.
Seminars are for an already-identified group of up to 20 members who want to work together on a defined research project with a view to publication.