U of T New from Religion in the Public Sphere - 6 November 2009

RPS LUNCHTIME READING GROUP
Thursday 19 November (note date change): "Why I Am Not a Secularist", by William E. Connolly.
Discussion facilitator: Prof. Melissa Williams (Political Science/Director, Centre for Ethics)
Noon-1.30pm, Room 318, Jackman Humanities Building, 170 St. George Street – Pizza lunch provided
Many liberal secularists reject any interaction between politics and religion. Connolly argues that secularism’s pursuit of freedom and diversity too often undercuts these goals through its narrow and intolerant understandings of public reason. [More details…] [Download poster]

RPS SERVICE-LEARNING INTERNSHIP COURSE (RLG492H, WINTER 2010) – PLACEMENT SUGGESTIONS SOUGHT
We currently have ten students enrolled for this innovative course for upper-year undergraduates that combines a 40-hour community service placement with theory and critical thought to analyse the experience. We are following up on a number of placement opportunities, but are always open to new suggestions that will benefit diverse organizations and expand students’ experiences. Feel free to get in touch with suggestions or contacts whom we could approach. [See the RPS potential placements info sheet…] [Download course poster]

RPS ADVISORY BOARD
The Advisory Board met on 22 October to discuss the development of the RPS. We are delighted to welcome new members Senator Vivienne Poy, Professors Andrea Most (Religion/English, U of T), Ruth Marshall (Religion/Political Science, U of T), and Kevin O’Neill (Religion, U of T), and Nicholas Dion (Religion PhD candidate, representing the RPS Student Steering Committee). [Full list of Advisory Board members…]

SAVE THE DATE! Friday 26 March 2010 – THE RPS PUBLIC FORUM, “Art and the Public Contestation of Religion”
This extremely popular forum will take place from 3:00-5:00pm at the Munk Centre, and focuses on how the arts, both ancient and modern, have made a space for the public contestation of religious aesthetics, heretical expressions, and secular critique. Guest speakers are being finalized – more information to follow soon…

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