1. Conversations about American History: Alternate Narratives –
from Native American Voices.
Brief description: What do we know about how this continent was
settled? How do we, even today, balance narratives of immigrant settlement with
the impact on indigenous residents? We will look at the foundations of our
democracy and nation building through an encounter with the conflicting
ideologies represented in the “Christian settlement of North America.”
Presenters: Thom White Wolf Fassett (RWC Alumnus, Emeritus
General Secretary of the international rights organization of the United
Methodist Church) and Scott Caton (Professor of History, RWC)
Faculty Facilitator:
Room: Hastings 117
2. Conversations about Art and Faith: What makes Art Holy?
Brief description: What constitutes the sacred and the secular
when it comes to artistic expression? Where do the sacred and the secular meet?
What role do the arts play in the expression of faith? Is specific content
required for “religious” art? We will engage in conversation around questions
that continue to challenge both creators of the arts and participants in
artistic experience.
Presenters: Bruce Herman (Lothlorien Distinguished Chair in the
Fine Arts, Gordon College) and Paul Berry (Professor of Music, RWC)
Faculty Facilitator:
Room: PMC 134
3. Conversations about Criminal Justice: What does Justice Require?
Brief description: Who defines justice in relationship to crime
and criminal offenders? What purposes should be served – punishment?
retribution? rehabilitation? restoration? Who decides? We will address
similarities and differences among models of justice, especially concerning the
extent to which various models focus on offenders and victims, as well as
punitive and restorative approaches.
Presenters: John Connell (Monroe County Court Judge) and Sue
Klassen (President, Partners in Restorative Initiatives)
Faculty Facilitator: Ronald Hallman (Assoc
Prof Criminal Justice, Dir Criminal Justice Program)
Room: SSC 319
4. Conversations about Doubt: What do we do with our Uncertainties?
Brief description: Is there a place for doubt in Christian
experience? How do people who take their faith seriously come to terms with
unanswerable questions? Can taking doubt seriously help us grow in our faith? We
will explore alternative responses to questions of faith, interpretation, and
doubt.
Presenters: Dane Gordon (Emeritus Professor of Philosophy,
Rochester Institute of Technology) and Richard Middleton (Professor of Biblical
Studies, RWC)
Faculty Facilitator:
Roomo: SSC 317
5. Conversations about Economics: Is there a Christian Economic
System?
Brief description: This session will feature a panel and open
dialogue on economics from various Christian perspectives. We will discuss
pressing issues that face people of faith today, including the care of the poor,
the creation of wealth, and the stewardship of material resources.
Presenters: Douglas Cullum (Academic Dean and Professor of
Historical and Pastoral Theology, NES), Carrie Starr (Hoselton Chair of
Ethics and Free Enterprise, RWC) and Kent Gardner(Economist and President of the Center for Governmental Research)
Faculty Facilitator:
Room: PMC 80
6. Conversations about the Environment: Perspectives on Stewardship –
What is our responsibility to care for the earth?
Brief description: This session will discuss some of the
challenges facing the global community in terms of environmental health,
industrialization, and the politics of climate change. Discussion will center
around the myths and realities of environmental stewardship, including the
nature of the problems we face, our capacity to reverse current trends, latest
technological/scientific developments, and the rich variety of Christian
perspectives on these issues.
Presenters: Peter LaCelle (Assistant Professor of Biology, RWC)
and Ronald J. Stansbury (Associate Professor of History, RWC)
Faculty Facilitator:
Room: PMC 81
7. Conversations about Gender Roles: Who's in Charge?
Brief description: This session will be a psychological,
sociological, theological discussion of the roles women and men play in various
areas of life. After sharing different (Christian) perspectives, we will talk
about how to have constructive dialogue around this important component of human
experience.
Presenters: Timothy Chaddock (Professor of Social Work, RWC) and
Linda Quinlan (Assistant Professor of Written Communication and Literature, RWC)
Faculty Facilitator:
Room: SSC 116/201
8. Conversations about Human Genetic Engineering: Playing God?
Brief description: Human genetic engineering is the modification
of a person’s genetic structure before birth to better control traits possessed
after birth. This session will note some current and potential uses of genetic
engineering, identify various Christian perspectives on whether such genetic
manipulation is “playing God” in ways we should not, and explore how Christians
can dialog constructively with those with whom they disagree, including other
Christians.
Presenters: Donna Alder (Associate Professor of Biology, RWC) and
David Basinger (Professor of Philosophy and Ethics)
Faculty Facilitator:
Room: SSC 318
9. Conversations about Politics and Religion: Democrat, Republican,
or Independent – How would Jesus Vote?
Brief description: This session explores how Christians come to
very different and sometimes contradictory conclusions about political issues,
including different perspectives about whether and how to be politically active.
How does Scripture inform and shape political stances and political involvement?
How can Christians who read the same Bible come to such different conclusions
about political issues?
Presenters: Alfred Krober (Director of Library Services, RWC) and
Robert Zwier (Provost, RWC)
Faculty Facilitator:
Room: PMC 82
10. Conversations about Race: Why is it so Hard to Talk About?
Brief description: How do people typically respond to racial
diversity? Some would suggest that race is no longer an issue in mainstream
America, while others insist that race-based tensions and deep-seated biases
still govern many of our interactions with people from racial and ethnic
communities different from our own. We will discuss issues related to the
saliency of race in modern America and its impact on interpersonal and
professional relationships.
Presenters: Matilda Casler (Chair of Division of Social Work,
RWC) and Sonia James-Wilson (Director Urban Teachers for Tomorrow program, RWC)
Faculty Facilitator:
Room: CLC Hale Aud
11. Conversations about Sexual Orientation: Is there a Single
Christian Answer?
Brief description: This session will focus on some of the ways
Christians currently think about sexual orientation. Various terms such as same
sex attraction, same sex behavior and sexual orientation will be defined along
with relevant research that has been conducted on this topic. A variety of
Christian frameworks will also be explored so participants can gain an
understanding of the diverse perspectives that currently exist around this
topic. Time for questions, answers and open discussion will also be allotted so
participants have an opportunity to respectfully share their viewpoints and or
experiences.
Presenters: Rodney Bassett (Professor of Psychology, RWC) and
Joyce Wagner (Director of Counseling Center, RWC)
Faculty Facilitator:
Room: CLC Shewan
12. Conversations about Success: The Purchase-Driven Life
Brief description: How do we define success—as Americans? As
Christians? What constitutes failure? What does it mean to live the “greatest
commandment” in a world that begs to be fed, employed, educated, healthy, and
sheltered? We will discuss the challenges and implications of such questions as
we attempt to examine our beliefs and our actions.
Presenters: Eileen Button (Writer, Columnist and Adjunct
Professor, RWC alumna) and Paul Stewart (Associate Professor of Communication,
RWC)
Faculty Facilitator:
Room: CLC 219 |