The Chair of Christian Thought Bentall Lecture in Education and Theology

The Chair of Christian Thought Bentall Lecture in Education and Theology
A Panel Discussion on Teaching Global Religious Traditions in Higher Education
Date: Friday, February 7, 2025
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, Calgary Public Library
To celebrate the United Nations’ World Interfaith Harmony Week, the Calgary Interfaith Council and the Chair of Christian Thought (University of Calgary) are hosting a panel discussion to spark dialogue regarding the teaching of diverse religious traditions. The panel will feature distinguished University of Calgary faculty members: Professors Wendi Adamek, George Ferzoco, Joy Palacios, Elizabeth Rohlman, and Tinu Ruparell. Each will bring their unique expertise to discuss how their specialisms approach religion in historical, methodological, and contemporary contexts. The discussion will also include student perspectives from Adam Bedford, a PhD candidate, and Chris Schmitz, an undergraduate student in Religious Studies.

In alignment with the goals of Interfaith Harmony Week, this panel will emphasize the role of academic scholarship in encouraging interfaith dialogue and pluralism. By examining how religion is taught and studied in higher education, the discussion will highlight how religious studies facilitates a better understanding of our global community. Following the panel presentations, there will be a question-and-answer session to engage further with the audience.

Dr Wendi Adamek (Buddhist Studies) specializes in East Asian Buddhism and explores topics such as living systems theory, process philosophy, and phenomenology.

Prof George Ferzoco (History of Christianity) is a specialist in medieval Christianity. He has taught study abroad programs focusing on Christianity in Italy.

Dr Joy Palacios (History of Christianity) researches the history of Christianity, focusing on religion and performance through liturgy, preaching, antitheatricality, and the interplay between church and theater, drawing on performance and ritual theory.

Dr Elizabeth Rohlman (Hindu Studies) researches Puranas, regionally produced Sanskrit literature, and regional and sectarian religious movements. Her work delves into South Asian religious history and religious geography.

Dr Tinu Ruparell (Philosophy of Religion) has interests spanning philosophical hermeneutics, cross-cultural interpretation, and religion in healthcare and science. He explores religious pluralism, secularity, inter-religious dialogue, and comparative philosophy, with a focus on Indian and European religious thought, including Vedanta and Paul Ricoeur.

Adam Bedford, a PhD candidate in Religious Studies at the University of Calgary, examines the intersections of religion, medicine, and mental health, focusing on how medicine and religion act as competing sources of meaning in patients’ lives.

Chris Schmitz, an undergraduate student in Religious Studies at the University of Calgary, has academic interests focused on Asian religions.

Presented in Partnership with The Univeristy of Calgary Department of Classics and Religion.

Any queries? Contact the Chair of Christian Thought, Dr Carolyn Muessig ([email protected]).

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall - Central Library, 800 3rd Street Southeast, Calgary, Canada