External Events


APRA CONFERENCE 2012

2012 Conference of the Australasian Philosophy of Religion Association (APRA)

Keynote speakers:

  • Richard Kearney (Boston College)
  • Marilyn McCord Adams (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
  • Kevin Hart (University of Virginia & Australian Catholic University)
  • Constant Mews (Monash University)

Dates: Friday June 22 - Sunday June 24, 2012
Venue: Australian Catholic University, Melbourne campus (Victoria Parade, Fitzroy)
Conference theme: Religious Diversity and Its Philosophical Significance

The Australasian Philosophy of Religion Association (www.apra.org.au) aims to encourage, publicise and circulate scholarly work within the field of philosophy of religion. Italso hopes to foster greater ties between scholars working in the field by providing a forum for a constructive and critical analysis of religion.
If you would like to present a paper, please submit a title, a short abstract (of up to 200 words), and a brief bio to Nick.Trakakis@acu.edu.au. Proposals relating to the above conference theme are particularly welcome, though the organising committee also welcomes papers on any topic in the philosophy of religion or philosophical theology.

Abstracts are due 10 February 2012.

Enquiries may be directed to: Nick.Trakakis@acu.edu.au, or phone: (03) 9953 3263.

 

BIENNIAL CONFERENCE IN PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION AND CULTURE - CALL FOR PAPERS

Conference Theme: "The Expressible and the Inexpressible"

The theme is to be interpreted broadly and from the disciplines of philosophy, theology, social science, literature and the arts. Topics that might be investigated include: ways of knowing in science, ethics, aesthetics and religion; the unconscious and the subconscious; art and expression; the ineffable in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism; mystery and mediation; the meaning of art; language and the emotions.

The Conference specifically aims to foster ineraction between scholars in the universities and scholars in theological colleges. It also encourages young scholars.

Keynote Speaker: Timothy Chappell, The Open University UK
4pm Friday 5th till 5pm Sunday 7th October 2012
Catholic Institute of Sydney, 99 Albert Rd, Strathfield NSW 2135

Convenors: Stephen Buckle (ACU), William Emilsen (UTC/CSU), Peter Forrest (UNE),?John McDowell (Newcastle), Shane Mackinlay (CTC/MCD), Andrew Murray (CIS/SCD)
 
For further details, contact Andrew Murray at Catholic Institute of Sydney, 99 Albert Road, Strathfield, NSW 2135, Australia. Ph: +612 9752 9514; Email: Click Here

Click here to visit the conference website


Call for Papers examining Religion and Doctor Who

Doctor Who is a cultural phenomenon in both the UK and the United States, continuing to go from strength-to-strength as it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2013. Over the show's long history on television-and in various spin-off TV shows, audio adventures, novels and comic books-religion and religious themes have consistently been a subject of interest. In recent years the show has attracted everything from Church of England conferences dedicated to its use in preaching to guest appearances by Richard Dawkins. 

Abstracts of 300 words are therefore invited for a proposed edited collection examining Religion and Doctor Who. The collection will consider the subject in its widest sense, examining portrayals of religion on the show, in spin-off media (including TV, audio, internet, comic books and video games); fan cultures, and the use of Doctor Who in religious debates. The book will be aimed at popular-academic readership. Possible subjects include, but are not limited to:

  • Religious or mythic themes (salvation, return, ritual etc.) in the series.
  • Critiques and deconstructions of religion in Doctor Who.
  • The use of Doctor Who to chart British religious history from 1963 to the present.
  • Death and the afterlife in Doctor Who and Torchwood.
  • The Doctor as a Christ figure.
  • Portrayals of non-Christian religion in the classic series or BBC revival.
  • Fan response to "religious" episodes.
  • The use of Doctor Who by religious organisations.
  • Religion in audio adventures, comic books and video games.
  • Canonicity and Doctor Who as a surrogate religion.
  • Doctor Who as a tool for theological reflection.
  • Using Doctor Who to teach Religious Studies.

Abstracts should be 300 words in length, and include a short biography of the author. Abstracts should be sent to DrWhoReligion@gmail.com. Deadline for receipt of abstracts: 20th April 2012.