Violence in the Name of Religion: Australian Catholic University

The Australian Catholic University invites you to participate in:

The Annual Conference of the Colloquium on Violence and Religion | 6th Annual Conference of the Australian Girard Seminar 

Date: Wednesday 13 July 2016 to Sunday 17 July 2016
Location: Australian Catholic University, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia

In this conference, we aim to bring together the insights of the 20th century’s premier theorist of violence and religion, René Girard, with the latest scholarship on religion and violence. The conference will critically analyse the link made between religion and violence, and explore contemporary topics of signi cance, such as

• Islamist terrorism and radicalization in its various political, economic, religious, military and technological dimensions.
• The religious and political rhetoric of Western and Middle Eastern nations regarding the use of force in military or domestic contexts.
• Analyses of religious violence throughout history, and its representations and reactions in literature and culture.

The conference is open to academics, professionals, religious practitioners, military, police, and anyone interested in engaging this topic in respectful dialogue. The format of the conference will include evening keynote addresses, followed by morning panel sessions on the same topic as the keynote. The morning sessions will have extended time for discussion and questions to explore the key conference themes, such as the relationship between religion and violence, and analysis of contemporary religious violence. The conference will also feature a panel on violence and religion in Australian-Indigenous history.

The Call for Papers is currently open.

Registration includes catering, and optional field-trips introducing Australian wildlife, history, and cuisine (at extra cost). There will also be a tribute dinner in honour of Girard (1923-2015).

For more information and to register: www.acu.edu.au/covr2016 Email: covr2016.FTP@acu.edu.au