The “Israelite Religion in its West Asian Environment” Section provides a forum for advanced discussion of topics pertinent to the study of religion in ancient Israel and its environment. This program unit encourages research that utilizes a wide variety of methodologies.
For 2011, "Israelite Religion in Its West Asian Environment" seeks papers dealing with the religions of Israel and neighboring lands, as expressed through multiple disciplinary studies. These include textual, epigraphic and archaeological studies, gender studies, iconographic and art historical analyses, studies in comparative religions, ethnographic comparanda and more. Attention can be paid to the religion of the home and family, city and state, commoners, and royal and priestly elites. Graduate students must submit a completed paper, and include the name of university and program, faculty advisor and degree being sought.
The section also invites papers for a joint open session with the Sacrifice, Cult, and Atonement section. Entitled “Ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean Expulsion and Purgation Rituals,” this session will feature four papers followed by a five-minute discussion each. A general discussion panel concludes the session.