Difficult Dialogues Initiative

Projects / University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

 
News and Events  

Difficult Dialogues Events Calendar

For more information or to submit an item for consideration, please email Danielle Doughman at dd@email.unc.edu .

Spring 2007 Events

Lecture :  "Academe at War"  March 30, 3:00 PM, 116 Murphey -  A Critical look at David Horowitz's Campaign Against Academic Freedom.  Kurt Smith of University of Pennsylvania lecturing. 

Lecture : "The End of Education" March 30, 7:00 PM, FedEx Global Eduction Center, UNC-Chapel Hill -  Cary Nelson, longtime scholar-activist and the recently elected president of the AUUP, will speak on the critical issues facing faculty, contingent faculty, and graduate students in higher education.

Workshop : "Unity Conference Workshop:  Facing Fundamentalism" March 31,  5:30 PM, Union 3206 A&B - The 2007 Unity Conference will examine the movements for sexual rights and sexual pleasure - that is, the right to determine if, when, and with whom one decides to pursue sexual pleasure.  Of the many workshops to be offered, Facing Fundamentalism may be of particular interest:  Facing Fundamentalism, led by Jakob Hero, What does it mean to be an activist concerned about issues of sexuality and gender in a country that deeply values the voice of Christian Fundamentalism in its political arenas?  In this workshop we will explore the history and nature of fundamentalist rhetoric, including its impact on various forms of religious expression, for instance the emergence of the "ex-gay" movement.  We will then discuss practical ways for activists to respond to fundamentalism.  The workshop is about exposing ideological inconsistencies in theological discourse, personal attacks against anyone's religious viewpoints and/or sexual/gender orientations are not acceptable.  All are welcome.

Conference :  "IARR Race and Environment International Scholars Conference" April 2-3 - The Institute of African American Research (IARR) at UNC-Chapel Hill will host its annual International Scholars Conference.  The Conference will provide a forum for scholars to examine environmental dilemmas through racial contexts, to the extent that minority communities bear a disproportionate burden.  Day One will feature general environmental issues such as toxic waste, deforestation, hog farming, activism, and water quality.  Day Two will explore various aspects of the environmental impact of Hurricane Katrina, specifically federal response, disaster management, rebuilding efforts and racial disparities therein.  For more information and to register contact Demetria Howard-Watkins or call 919-962-0977.

Event :  "The Evolution-Creation Controversy:  A Very American Story" April 10, 7:00 PM, Hanes Art Center Auditorium - Dr. Michael Ruse will take on the assumptions of all sides in the evolution vs. creation controversy and offer a new and productive way of understanding it, for the Michael Polanyi Lecture in the History and Philosophy of Natural Science.  Ruse, a distinguished philosopher and director of the program in the history and philosophy of sciences at Florida State University, has published more than 30 books, including The Evolution-Creation Struggle, which New York magazine names the Best Academic Book of 2005, and Darwinism and Its Discontents (2006).  Ruse is a philosopher, comfortably at home with the biology, and sensitive to the religious controversies.  The Polanyi lecture series in the College of Arts and Sciences honors the late chemist and author who explored the groundwork of knowledge and the psychology of perception.  Dialogue co-leaders are sought for follow up discussion on the lecture.  If interested, email dd@email.unc.edu.  Must be able to attend the lecture and lead a small dialogue group at your convenience between April 11 and 17.  Training provided.

Global Pentecostalism:  The New Face of Christian Social Engagement,  April 11, 7:30 PM 116 Murphey  - Donald E. Miller, University of Southern California speaks as a part of the College of Arts and Sciences Christianity and Culture Series.  Last year Pentecostalism celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Azusa Street revivals, which gave birth to the fastest-growing religious movement in the world.  Professor Miller traveled to 20 different countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to document the global expansion of charismatic Christianity. To his surprise, many Pentecostal churches are not "other-worldly" but instead are addressing social problems within their communities.  Using video clips from his research, Dr. Miller will illustrate the variety of different expressions of worship and social engagement by Pentecostals in the developing world

Conference :  "Sisters Beneath the Skin 2007" April 15,  2-6 PM   - This conference is designed for all-persons who have experience exploring diversity on an advanced level and those who are just beginning this dialogue.  The cost is $35 for faculty and $20 for students, including break service.  For further information regarding the conference, please contact Chimi Boyd at chimib@email.und.edu.  Registration due March 30, 2007.  Registration form.

Difficult Dialogues in the News

The View from Chapel Hill
Addressing the Underlying Conflicts between Faith and Reason in the Wake of Violence.
By Judith Welch Wegner, 7/06
Difficult dialogues” and “Chapel Hill.” Are these words synonymous? It has surely seemed so in recent days. At noon on March 3, a recent Chapel Hill graduate drove a sport-utility vehicle through the center of campus. Revving his car to thirty-five miles per hour, he drove through the free-speech zone near the student union (known as the “Pit”), deliberately striking nine people before speeding away. For full text.

Grant to Improve In-Class Dialogue
Faculty Council Reviews Initiative
By: Nate Hubbard, 1/06
Professors were presented with a new way to approach sensitive topics in the classroom Friday at the Faculty Council meeting.  Known as the Difficult Dialogues Initiative, the proposal will be partially funded beginning in March by a $100,000 grant obtained from the Ford Foundation. For full text.

University receives one of 27 $100,000 Ford Foundation Grants
National Initiative Promotes Academic Freedom and Dialogue
1/06
The Ford Foundation recently selected Carolina as one of 27 higher education institutions to receive $100,000 grants for projects that promote academic freedom and constructive dialogue on campus. For full text.