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.

Our conference for THIS SPRING will be on april 25-26, 2025. The LOCation IS AT augsburg university, minneapolis, minnesota.

iN ORDER TO ACCESS THE CALL FOR PAPERS, CHECK UNDER THE 2025 REGIONAL CONFERENCE TAB. SINCE scholarly units are UPDATED EVERY YEAR, check through this year’s options AS YOU PREPARE YOUR PROPOSAL.

As a Reminder: those presenting, as well as students and visitors, need to register. there are different categories of registration for faculty, adjunct or contingent faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and visitors. the fees differ. THE REGISTRATION LINK IS now AVAILABLE. The registration fee will cover coffee and light snacks on friday and saturday and lunch on saturday. If you have questions, please contact Terry Kleven, chief regional officer, at klevent@central.edu

hotel reservations are according to a specific rate for the umwaar. Please identify yourself when you reserve your room. see hotels below.

Schedule is posted under 2025 Conference tab. See you at Augsburg University on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Schedule updated April 24th

[Please bring a copy of the schedule]

agenda for Business meeting and the unapproved minutes from last year’s meeting at drake are available.

Faculty Abstracts available under tab.

Unfortunately, our guest speaker, Prof. Donner will not be able to present in-person because, due to health considerations, it has become impossible for him to fly. He will present his lecture online at the conference in the lecture hall designated on the schedule.

Regional conference 2025

Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, 2025

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Professor Fred M. Donner

Peter B. Ritzma Professor Emeritus of Near Eastern History, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, The Institute for the Study of Ancient Culture at The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

The title of his presentation is:

"Rediscovering Early Islam from Literary and Documentary Sources"

Professor Donner is known for the publication of the following, as well as other, books:

 Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam, Belknap Press, 2012.

Narratives of Islamic Origins: The Beginnings of Islamic Historical Writing, Gerlach Press, 2021.

The Early Islamic Conquests, Princeton University Press, 1981.

hotels:

Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis University Area (one mile from Augsburg University). Rate: $135 plus taxes. Parking $17.00 per day. No shuttle to Augsburg. Link to hotel for booking will be added soon. Book directly. Call desk: 612-504-3000. For online booking, use the following link: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/msputgi-117-e10d597b-3443-46dc-a832-d0a7c76f9b24/

Courtyard Downtown Minneapolis (half a mile from Augsburg University). Rate: $139 plus taxes ($159.88 total). Overnight parking is $28. There is free parking available on the Augsburg campus and a free round-trip LYFT complementary of the hotel. Call 877-699-3216 and identify the group name as ‘Upper Midwest AAR Conference’. Or here is the link: Book your group rate for Upper Midwest AAR Conference . The room block and rate will be held until April 4.

Learn More →

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.