Call for Submissions: Study of Communication, Language, and Gender (OSCLG) Conference

Join us at the 2025 OSCLG conference (October 22-26, 2025), which will convene at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN. The conference will feature interdisciplinary scholarship, performances, and activism around the theme of Muddy Waters. Being a few blocks away from the Mississippi River, this theme reminds us that our feminist work is not easy. Our next steps forward are not always clear. But our conviction keeps us moving. So, we find a way through even still.

Leaving the reenergizing springs of the feminist frontier, we wade out into the deep. With every step, we see the ripples of our hard work flow into the waters of scholarship. Just like Farias and Chuang (2014), we know that “it is because those waters are changed through our actions that we must continue accepting new and challenging opportunities. In doing so, we accept the expectations that our changes open new and hopefully more just ways of moving through these complex social systems” (p. 77).

Through the theme of Muddy Waters, we will explore the messiness of scholarly inquiry, the ebbs and flows of engaging in social change, the murkiness of the current political climate on feminist scholarship, and more. We invite submissions of papers, extended abstracts, panel sessions, roundtable discussions, creative projects, and performances that address any aspect of communication, language, and gender, and especially those based in intersectionality, trans-inclusivity, transnational feminism, and advocacy. We ask that individuals not exceed being included on more than two submissions. All submissions are due June 15, 2025, with decisions about acceptance expected by the end of July.

Farias, S. K., & Chuang, H.-Y. (S.) (2014). Special issue introduction: Coming to terms in the muddy waters of qualitative inquiry in communication studies. Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research, 13, Article 6. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/kaleidoscope/vol13/iss1/6

You can submit to the conference here.

Please send any questions to Janine Armstrong, Ivy Fofie, and Natonya Listach at osclgsubmissions@gmail.com.

Call for Papers: Works in Progress Symposium

The Center for the Study of Rhetoric, Race, and Religion invites submissions for its virtual Works in Progress Summer Symposium on July 29, 2025. This interdisciplinary symposium aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among scholars exploring the intersections of rhetoric, race, and religion. This symposium will offer a supportive space for researchers at any stage of their project, from initial ideas to emerging findings, to share, receive feedback, and refine their work in a collegial setting.

Symposium Focus

We welcome submissions that engage with the complex interplay of rhetoric, race, and religion in historical or contemporary contexts. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Rhetorical strategies in religious and racial justice movements
• The role of race and religion in political discourse
• Rhetorical analyses of sermons, sacred texts, or religious performances
• Intersections of faith, identity, and activism
• The influence of rhetoric on religious communities
• Explorations of ideology, nationalism, and religious rhetoric
• Indigenous, Black, and non-Western perspectives on rhetoric and religion

Submission Guidelines

Eligibility: Open to faculty, graduate students, and independent scholars.
Format: Submit a 250-word abstract outlining the project’s central questions, methods, and current stage. Works in progress may include early conceptualizations, ongoing research, or recently completed studies that are not yet fully developed.
Panel Proposals: Proposals for panels (5-6 speakers) are also welcome and should be limited to 500 words, including each speaker’s name, email, and institutional affiliation.
Presentation: Accepted works will be presented in brief (7–10 minute) sessions, followed by facilitated feedback and discussion.
Deadline: Submit abstracts by June 30, 2025.

Registration for the one-day symposium: 

$25 for CSR3 members

$50 for non-members

*Registration includes membership in CSR3

To submit your abstract and register, click here.

We encourage submissions that are experimental, interdisciplinary, or challenge traditional boundaries. Join us in advancing scholarship and building community in these vital areas of study.

For questions, contact the Center for the Study of Rhetoric, Race, and Religion at rhetoric raceandreligion@gmail.com

We look forward to your contributions!

Special Issue on the Art of Black Preaching

We are pleased to announce that our Director, Andre E. Johnson, and Courtney V Buggs guest-edited a special issue of the Sermon Studies journal, The Art of Black Preaching. For this special issue, they invited essays that addressed the rhetorical nature of Black preaching and Black sermon production. They were interested in scholarship that saw rhetoric as part of the homiletical process, opening additional avenues for sermon preparation and reflection. This was also the journal's first special issue.

Essays:

 
Introduction: Black Preaching and the Black Sermon as a Rhetorical Artifact
Andre E. Johnson

“Jesus is Integrated”: The Black Sermon as Rhetorical Exercise in Radical Worldmaking
Theon E. Hill and Tyran Laws

Black Preaching as a Public Address to Cultural Trauma: The Eulogy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Nicole Danielle McDonald

From Decay to Redemption: Exploring the Theological and Rhetorical Dimensions of C.A.W. Clark’s “The Worms Got Him”
Daylan Woodall

A Case for Homiletical Aesthetics: The Adorned Rhetoric of Martin Luther King Jr.
Timothy Y. Rhee

Rhetoric of Freedom: The Black Church and Jamal Bryant’s Sermon “Am I Ever Going to Get Out of This?”
Konysha Wade

“True Disciple”: Minister Louis Farrakhan's Eulogy of Pastor Clay Evans and the Emergence of the Son of Abraham Rhetoric
Eugene L Gibson, Jr.

Womanist Pedagogy and Teaching Preaching: Black Women Preachers as Sources for Pedagogical Reflection
Courtney V Buggs

Call for Submissions: Meeting at the Crossroads: Understanding the Intersection of Rhetoric, Race, and Religion

Meeting at the Crossroads: Understanding the Intersection of Rhetoric, Race, and Religion

Laurent Pernot wrote, “Religion is intimately linked with words. Everyone knows that the spoken and written word plays an essential role in religion, as language is necessarily used to address the gods or God, to speak about the divine or the sacred, and to express religious feeling or awareness”. Thus, Pernot called for an understanding of the role rhetoric plays in our expression and performance of religion.

One compelling reason for his deep understanding of the subject lies in rhetoric’s unique transdisciplinary role. This role allows rhetoric to inhabit an intriguing space that intertwines various fields, such as the sciences, the arts, and other branches of the humanities. Within this dynamic context, rhetoric contributes to these disciplines and offers critical reflections that challenge their fundamental principles.

In exploring the intricate study of religion, we often encounter a significant oversight: the way we engage with and communicate our beliefs, the manner in which we construct persuasive arguments, and even our strategies for defending our religious viewpoints can lead us to undervalue the profound influence rhetoric has on our comprehension of religion and the discussions that arise from it.

Moreover, when we delve into the complexities of religion and its myriad functions, we frequently neglect to consider the critical role that race plays in shaping our perceptions. This oversight affects our understanding of religion and dictates the nuances of the language and rhetoric we choose to express our views. The interplay of race and rhetoric can fundamentally alter the discourse surrounding religious beliefs, underscoring the need for a more nuanced examination of these interconnected themes.

We invite scholars to contribute original research that explores the complex interplay between rhetorical practices and the dynamics of race and religion. This call for submissions welcomes a diverse range of approaches, enabling the examination of both historical and contemporary contexts. We are particularly interested in how these practices influence and are influenced by racial and religious factors, providing a nuanced understanding of these essential societal elements. We are especially eager for interdisciplinary perspectives that connect the study of rhetoric with fields such as theology, philosophy, political theory, cultural studies, and media studies, enriching our comprehension of how religious discourse shapes and is shaped by these varied contexts.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

• Rhetorical analysis of sacred texts and sermons
• Evangelism, proselytizing, and conversion narratives
• The rhetoric of religious extremism or fundamentalism
• Ritual and performance as rhetorical acts
• Intersections of religion, rhetoric, and identity (race, gender, sexuality, etc.)
• Visual rhetoric in religious iconography and media
• Rhetorical strategies in racial and religious justice movements
• Analysis of religious discourse in racial identity formation
• The role of race and religion in political rhetoric
• Intersections of race, religion, and gender in rhetorical practices
• Digital media and the dissemination of religious and racial rhetorics
• Comparative studies of racial and religious rhetorics across cultures
• Critical examinations of the rhetoric surrounding religious racism and xenophobia
• Prophetic rhetoric

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editors or to the Religions editorial office (religions@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the special issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

Read the rest of the call here.

Johnson Wins Prestigious Award

Congratulations to our Director, Andre E. Johnson, for winning the prestigious 2024 Douglas W. Ehninger Distinguished Rhetorical Scholar Award from the National Communication Association. The press release from the National Communication Association is below.

Dr. Andre E. Johnson, PhD, Professor of Communication at the Department of Communication and Film at the University of Memphis, was awarded the Douglas W. Ehninger Distinguished Rhetorical Scholar Award on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the National Communication Association 110th Annual Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dr. Johnson has a noticeable and convincing impact on rhetorical studies, largely felt through his presence and encouragement beyond conventional academic networks. His work is adventurous, groundbreaking, and trailblazing. He examines oratory with an eye toward religious discourse, rhetorical appeals, and worldmaking. Apart from prolific scholarship, he also mentors his students through various means, including but not limited to co-authorship. Moreover, his work with the Colored Conventions Project and his public-facing appearances and research distinguish his undeniable influence on rhetorical studies.

“NCA is proud to recognize Dr. Johnson’s significant contributions to the Communication discipline with this prestigious award,” said NCA Executive Director Justin Danowski. “Through his years of service to NCA and as a leader in the field of rhetorical studies, Dr. Johnson personifies what it means to be a recipient of the Ehninger Award.”

Call for RCA 2025 Awards Nominations

The Religious Communication Association (RCA) invites nominations for the following annual awards to be presented at its 2025 Annual Conference, which will be held in Denver, Colorado, November 19-23 in conjunction with the National Communication Association Annual Convention: 

Book of the Year 

Article of the Year 

Dissertation of the Year 

Edited Volume of the Year 

Book Chapter of the Year 

JCR Article of the Year 

Mentor of the Year 

The deadline for submission of nominations and materials for all awards is Friday, June 27, 2025. 

The RCA Book Award is given for the outstanding scholarly book on religious communication published between January 2024 and May 2025. Those wishing to nominate a book for the award should send four copies of the book (e-books are acceptable), a one-page letter of nomination outlining the value of the book in its area of study, and a short synopsis of the book (3-5 double-spaced pages).

The RCA Article Award is given for the outstanding article on religious communication published between January 2024 and May 2025. Nominators should send a copy of the article as a PDF file along with a one-page letter of nomination (a PDF attachment is acceptable) outlining the significance of the article. 

The RCA Dissertation Award is given for the outstanding dissertation on the topic of religious communication successfully defended during the prior academic year. To be eligible the author must have successfully defended the dissertation during the period between January 2024 and May 2025. Dissertation advisors or department chairs should submit a one- to two-page letter of nomination as a supporting document to accompany the nomination. The award committee requires that the nominee or the nominator make available an electronic version (PDF or MS Word format) of the completed dissertation. (A URL address where there is open, online access to the dissertation is preferred). 

The RCA Edited Volume Award is given for the outstanding edited book on religious communication published between January 2024 and May 2025. Those wishing to nominate a book for the award should send four copies of the book and a one-page letter of nomination outlining the value of the edited book in its area of study. For consideration, please include a short synopsis of the book (3-5 double-spaced pages; a PDF attachment is acceptable). 

The RCA Book Chapter Award is given for the outstanding book chapter on religious communication published between January 2024 and May 2025. Nominators should send a copy of the chapter as a PDF file along with a one-page letter of nomination (a PDF attachment is acceptable) outlining the significance of the chapter. 

The RCA Journal of Communication and Religion (JCR) Article of the Year Award is given for the JCR article published between January 2024 and May 2025, recognized for exceptional insight, rigor, and relevance to the field. Nominators should send a copy of the article as a PDF file along with a one-page letter of nomination (a PDF attachment is acceptable) outlining the significance of the article. 

The RCA Mentor Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to nurturing the next generation of scholars and professionals in the field of religious communication. Recipients of this award embody the highest ideals of mentorship, providing invaluable support, guidance, and encouragement to their mentees. Outstanding mentors go above and beyond in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for learning and growth. They generously share their expertise, wisdom, and resources while also advocating for the needs and aspirations of their mentees. To nominate an individual, send a letter of nomination (a PDF attachment is acceptable) along with the names (with contact information) of 2-4 additional individuals who can speak to the nominee’s qualifications. 

Deadline: Friday, June 27, 2025, is the deadline for submitting nominations and materials for all awards. 

RCA encourages self-nominations for each category of awards. Individuals may make one submission per category, but they may submit to multiple categories. Past annual RCA Scholarship Awards winners may be viewed on the association’s website. 

Recognition: RCA will recognize award recipients at the RCA 2025 Annual Awards Banquet on Wednesday, November 19, during the association's Annual Conference. Each award category carries a cash award. 

Inquiries: Jim Vining, RCA 2nd Vice President, jvining@govst.edu 

Send letters of nomination and materials to: 

James Vining 

Associate Professor Communication Studies 

Division of Arts and Letters 

Governors State University 

1 University Parkway University Park, IL 60484 

jvining@govst.edu 

(708) 534-4580 (o)

Johnson Named Alumni of the Year

Memphis Theological Seminary is proud to honor our esteemed Director, Dr. Andre E. Johnson, by presenting him with the prestigious Henry Logan Starks Outstanding African American Alumni Award.

The Starks Dinner and Awards Ceremony is a celebrated event that pays tribute to the lasting impact of Dr. Henry Logan Starks, a highly respected professor from the Memphis Theological Seminary and a passionate advocate for community engagement and civil rights. This annual gathering not only honors Dr. Starks’ remarkable legacy but also recognizes the outstanding achievements of scholarship recipients who embody his ideals. Additionally, the ceremony acknowledges the significant contributions of individuals who have made a positive difference in their communities, reflecting the principles and values that Dr. Starks championed throughout his life. This heartfelt occasion brings together a diverse group of individuals committed to uplifting the spirit of service and advocacy that Dr. Starks exemplified.

"I owe much of who I am to Memphis Theological Seminary," said Dr. Johnson. "At MTS, I started to grasp the essence of loving God with my head, heart, and hands. My experience at MTS deepened my faith, clarified my role within the church and community, and equipped me for my PhD studies at the University of Memphis. I express my profound gratitude to MTS; being awarded this esteemed recognition is an honor that I do not take lightly. I appreciate the House of Black Church Studies and MTS for recognizing me and awarding me this honor."

This significant recognition will take place during the 38th Annual Dr. Henry Logan Starks Dinner & Awards Ceremony. Join us for this memorable evening on Thursday, February 13, at 7:00 PM, held at the Holiday Inn (3700 Central) adjacent to the University of Memphis. It promises to be an inspiring event celebrating excellence and achievement in our community. For more information, call Brenda Jones at 901-334-5812.