Profs Present Papers at Conference

The religion department was well represented at the Midwest American Academy of Religion (MAAR) annual meeting in Rock Island, Ill.

Rev. Dr. Sue Dickson presented a paper titled “'Christian-Muslim Dialogue: Using Technology to Connect Students Internationally and Inter-religiously”  The paper explored the use of SKYPE or SKYPE equivalent technology to connect students from across the globe. It reviewed some of the research done in the past sixty years on the impact that technology and the media have had- and could have- on individuals and society; described the Soliya Connect Program, as one way to use media in a socially responsible way in the classroom; and evaluated the fall 2010 AU Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar which participated in the Soliya Connect Program to link students across national and religious boundaries.

Dr. Craig Hovey presented a paper titled "Is There a Christian Ethic for Emperors?" His paper was part of a panel responding to Peter Leithart's book, Defending Constantine, to which Leithart, in turn, responded. The essay is forthcoming in the Mennonite Quarterly Review.