This is our third year of THATCamp at the AAR & SBL conferences. In 2013 and 2014, the participants of THATCamp were predominantly from the AAR side of the conference as were the organizers. However, with THATCamp 2015, the organizers are from both the AAR and SBL. We felt it would be more inclusive and further the conversations facilitated by THATCamp to include the SBL side of the conference. Thus, we are asking and encouraging everyone to use the hashtag #thatcampaarsbl in place of the previous one. This does not mean we cannot combine the multi-year posts as stream aggregators can pull together many hashtags into one stream. Instead it affirms that while scholars of religion may have different methodologies and perspectives in approaching the study of religion, there is a shared interest and opportunity to explore the ways technology can enhance humanities scholarship. We look forward to seeing members of both the AAR and SBL and participating in these joint conversations.

Proposal by Ken Chitwood, U of Florida.

Augmented Reality Criticisms (ARCs) present a compelling opportunity for scholars in the humanities to harness mobile computing technology, specifically Augmented Reality (AR) apps, to create and circulate public discourse and critique. This proposal seeks to discuss the why, what, and how of ARCs. Pointedly, it will include how overlaying physical objects or locations with digital content available through mobile device applications can encourage positive political and cultural exchange on specific social issues. The “Religion@UF” project will be offered as an example to explore ARCs. Created in collaboration between the UF Religion & English Departments, the “Relgion@UF” ARC is a mobile AR application that reveals the hidden religious history in and around the University of Florida campus through exploration of some of its physical locations and sites of interest. Once completed, users will be able to look at specific buildings and signs through their phone or tablet camera and view multimedia overlays informing them of the religious history related to different locations around campus. For instance, users will be able to view the engravings located on Heavener Hall and receive information about this ongoing religious controversy.