The Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies will launch the following two books in the Liu Institute Series in Chinese Christianities published by Notre Dame Press. Join us  for a discussion with Justin Tse, Singapore Management University, author of "Sheets of Scattered Sand: Cantonese Protestants and the Secular Dream of the Pacific Rim," (November 2024) and Jin Lu, Purdue University Northwest, author of "Translingual Catholics: Chinese Theologians before Vatican II," (February 2025). Liu Institute faculty fellow Xueying Wang, assistant professor of theology, will moderate the event. Christianity is the fastest-growing religion in mainland China and a large, linguistically and culturally diverse Chinese diaspora, which encompasses more than a fifth of the world’s population. Still, the academic world has been slow to take into account the role of Chinese Christians and their distinctly Chinese interpretation of Christianity in examining world Christianity. The Liu Institute Series in Chinese  Christianities features titles that offer new perspectives on the vast and expanding field of Chinese Christianities in all their diverse forms, providing a forum for cross-disciplinary conversation. The event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, Notre Dame Press, Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion, and the Department of Theology. Originally published at asia.nd.edu.

Sponsored by the History of Philosophy Forum In this first roundtable in the series "Dialogues between Eastern Philosophy and Western Traditions," participants will discuss the topic of "The Good Life with Responsibility and Freedom." Speakers:Michael Puett, the Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology, Harvard UniversityMeghan Sullivan, the Wilsey Family College Professor of Philosophy; director of the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good, University of Notre DameThe speakers in the first roundtable, Michael Puett and Meghan Sullivan, are leading scholars of Eastern and Western ethical traditions, respectively. Both professors have crafted phenomenally successful undergraduate courses. Prof. Puett's "Classical Chinese Ethical and Political Theory" is Harvard's third most popular undergraduate course, inviting students to reevaluate contemporary assumptions about ethics in light of classical Chinese thought. Prof. Sullivan's "God and the Good Life" at Notre Dame introduces philosophy to students as a "way of life," drawing upon such figures as Plato, Aristotle , and Descartes to present different ways of engaging with questions of ultimate meaning. Organizer: Liang Cai, associate professor of history, University of Notre Dame Series Description: This series of roundtables is designed to foster meaningful exchanges between Eastern and Western philosophers on the themes of responsibility, rights, and virtue. These dialogues aim to inspire thoughtful solutions to contemporary social and international challenges. In the early 20th century, Chinese intellectuals and politicians, confronted with Western imperialism and colonialism, critiqued their own traditions, particularly Confucianism, for a perceived lack of emphasis on freedom and rights. They argued that the focus on responsibility and virtue stifled humanity, individual freedom, and creativity, leading to slower economic and technological development. In 1992, the American political scientist Francis Fukuyama argued that the rise of Western liberal democracy signified the "end of history" and the final form of human government. However, in the 21st century, we have seen that societies prioritizing freedom and individual rights can become polarized and divided, both internally and internationally. Echoing the 2024–25 Notre Dame Forum Theme, "What Do We Owe Each Other," this roundtable series aims to create a platform for Eastern and Western philosophers to discuss different philosophical traditions’ perspectives on responsibility, rights, and virtue. Through these dialogues, we hope to bridge social divides and foster healing amidst suffering, division, and injustice.Cosponsored by the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good, the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Originally published at historyofphilosophy.nd.edu.

In this first roundtable in the series "Dialogues between Eastern Philosophy and Western Traditions," participants will discuss the topic of "The Good Life with Responsibility and Freedom." This event is sponsored by the History of Philosophy Forum and co-sponsored by the  Institute for Ethics and the Common Good, the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Speakers:Michael Puett, the Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology, Harvard UniversityMeghan Sullivan, the Wilsey Family College Professor of Philosophy; Director of the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good, University of Notre DameThe speakers in the first roundtable, Michael Puett and Meghan Sullivan, are leading scholars of Eastern and Western ethical traditions, respectively. Both professors have crafted phenomenally successful undergraduate courses. Prof. Puett's "Classical Chinese Ethical and Political Theory" is Harvard's third most popular undergraduate course, inviting students to reevaluate contemporary assumptions about ethics in light of classical Chinese thought. Prof. Sullivan's "God and the Good Life" at Notre Dame introduces philosophy to students as a "way of life," drawing upon such figures as Plato, Aristotle , and Descartes to present different ways of engaging with questions of ultimate meaning. Organizer: Liang Cai, Associate Professor of History, University of Notre Dame Series Description: This series of roundtables is designed to foster meaningful exchanges between Eastern and Western philosophers on the themes of responsibility, rights, and virtue. These dialogues aim to inspire thoughtful solutions to contemporary social and international challenges. In the early 20th century, Chinese intellectuals and politicians, confronted with Western imperialism and colonialism, critiqued their own traditions, particularly Confucianism, for a perceived lack of emphasis on freedom and rights. They argued that the focus on responsibility and virtue stifled humanity, individual freedom, and creativity, leading to slower economic and technological development. In 1992, the American political scientist Francis Fukuyama argued that the rise of Western liberal democracy signified the "end of history" and the final form of human government. However, in the 21st century, we have seen that societies prioritizing freedom and individual rights can become polarized and divided, both internally and internationally. Echoing the 2024-25 Notre Dame Forum Theme, "What Do We Owe Each Other," this roundtable series aims to create a platform for Eastern and Western philosophers to discuss different philosophical traditions’ perspectives on responsibility, rights, and virtue. Through these dialogues, we hope to bridge social divides and foster healing amidst suffering, division, and injustice.Originally published at historyofphilosophy.nd.edu.

Victims sometimes forgive the perpetrators of past wrongdoings, either to repair a relationship or simply to move on. After forgiving, however, victims typically still remember what happened. Yet, the memory of the wrongdoing does not elicit the same affective and reactive attitudes it once did. How does forgiveness interact with memory to bring about this emotional change? In this talk, Felipe De Brigard, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience and associate of the Duke Initiative for Science Society at Duke University, will offer conceptual and empirical reasons to think of forgiveness as mollifying the affective contents of retrieved memories of past wrongdoings via a process of emotional reappraisal. He will also show how this research, which is being conducted with victims of political violence in Colombia, can have implications for peace and reconciliation strategies in post-conflict societies. Laura Miller-Graff, professor of psychology and peace studies, will moderate this discussion. Originally published at kroc.nd.edu.

Scholars have been thinking about the Roman empire for a long time, offering a variety of theories and explanations for Roman imperialism. Too often, however, they have taken the writings of the ancient historians simply at face value. The object of this conference is to examine the attitudes toward Roman imperialism on the part of Greek historians writing under the Roman empire, and to compare these views and their evolution over time with those found in Latin historical writing. The conference offers an innovative approach by integrating historiography with the study of Roman imperialism. Organizers: Christopher Baron (University of Notre Dame)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen) List of speakers: Sulochana Asirvatham (Montclair State University)Christopher Burden-Strevens (University of Kent)Jessica Clark (Florida State University)Cynthia Damon (University of Pennsylvania)Jon Davies (University of Copenhagen)Jennifer Gerrish (College of Charleston)Caitlin Gillespie (Brandeis University)Kyle Khellaf (UC Riverside)Mads Ortving Lindholmer (Danish Institute in Rome)Regina Loehr (Washington University in St. Louis)Jesper Majbom Madsen (University of Southern Denmark)Kit Morrell (University of Queensland)Josiah Osgood (Georgetown University)Antonio Pistellato (Università Ca’Foscari Venezia)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen)Andrew Scott (Villanova University)Kathryn Welch (University of Sydney)Liv Mariah Yarrow (Brooklyn College) Sponsors: Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts, Notre Dame Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) Department of Classics, Notre Dame Department of History, Notre Dame Originally published at classics.nd.edu.

Mariela Noles CotitoProfessor of Discrimination and Public PolicyUniversidad del Pacífico (Lima, Peru) The formulation of legislation aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of racial and ethnic minorities in Andean countries is a very recent phenomenon. Indeed, it is not until the end of the 1980s that said countries embarked on a consistent effort to move away from legal colorblindness and the denial of racial discrimination to begin the process of affirming the citizenship of their citizens of African descent in a way that considers, protects, and respects their ethno-racial identity. This lecture will reconstruct some of the elements that allowed for this transition in Latin America at large, and what is the current state of black citizenship in Andean countries.Mariela Noles Cotito is a professor of discrimination and public policy at the Universidad del Pacífico in Lima, Peru. Her research portfolio spans gender equality, social inclusion policies within the Peruvian context, and the intricate intersections of various systems of oppression. She holds a law degree from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, an LLM from the University of Pennsylvania, and dual MA degrees in Latin American studies and in political science from the University of South Florida.   More information here  

The Office of Institutional Transformation, in partnership with the Initiative on Race and Resilience, invites students, faculty, and staff to gather weekly for support and fellowship. Wellsprings: A Time for Connection and Care provides a safe space for members of the campus community to discuss fears and concerns related to social divisiveness. Some sessions may feature presentations or information from campus resources. To suggest a topic, please contact Eve Kelly at ekelly11@nd.edu. Originally published at diversity.nd.edu.

As part of the Keough-Naughton Institute's fall 2024 speaker series, Professor Peter Shirlow will deliver a lecture titled “The Failings of Irish Republicans and the National Question in Ireland.” Lecture Abstract This lecture will explore how, despite post-Brexit Referendum predictions of a united Ireland by as early as 2021, there has been, at best, limited growth in recorded support for ending partition between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Growth of Northern Ireland’s Catholic population has been less dramatic than predicted and the region now has the fastest growing economy in the UK. Peter Shirlow asserts that in this context, pro-united Ireland campaigns and republican activism, especially via civic fora and social media, have failed to significantly close the gap between Irish unity and pro-union proponents. In this lecture, Shirlow will consider how Irish Republican arguments for unity contain internal contractions: underscoring the economic successes of the South while also indicating its structural deficiencies, or pointing to socio-economic deficiencies of Northern Ireland even while Republicans are co-authors of its new found economic growth. Ultimately, Shirlow argues, the shortcomings of Irish republicanism lie in its inability to read and understand the new sociology of Northern Ireland– particularly temporal and social shifts that potentially render the inevitability thesis of Irish unification inconsistent, if not ineffective, in the short to medium term. Speaker Biography Professor Peter Shirlow (FaCSS) is the director at the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies. He was formerly the deputy director of the Institute for Conflict Transformation and Social Justice, QUB. He is the independent chair of the Executive Office's Employers' Guidance on Recruiting People with Conflict-Related Convictions Working Group and a board member of the mental health charity Threshold. He is a visiting research professor at the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. He sits on the editorial boards of Irish Political Studies and International Planning Studies. Professor Shirlow has undertaken conflict transformation work in Northern Ireland and has used that knowledge in exchanges with governments, former combatants and NGOs in the former Yugoslavia, Moldova, Bahrain and Iraq. He has also presented talks to members of the US Senate and House of Representatives and is a regular media contributor. Originally published at irishstudies.nd.edu.

The Most Reverand Erik Varden, bishop of Trondheim, Norway, will present “Living with Wounds: The Passion in Theology and in Our Lives,” with an introduction by the Most Reverand Kevin Rhoades, bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Originally published at mcgrath.nd.edu.

Ray Gindroz, co-founder and principal emeritus of Urban Design Associates, will explore innovative approaches to revitalizing inner cities through the transformation of public housing projects into vibrant, mixed-income neighborhoods. Drawing on more than five decades of experience in urban design, affordable housing, and participatory planning, Gindroz will discuss the role of architectural pattern books, traditional neighborhood design, and policies that support sustainable urban development. This lecture will highlight case studies from his extensive work with Urban Design Associates, showcasing strategies for fostering economic growth, social equity, and community resilience in urban environments. AIA CE credit available. Register Here Originally published at architecture.nd.edu.

Scholars have been thinking about the Roman empire for a long time, offering a variety of theories and explanations for Roman imperialism. Too often, however, they have taken the writings of the ancient historians simply at face value. The object of this conference is to examine the attitudes toward Roman imperialism on the part of Greek historians writing under the Roman empire, and to compare these views and their evolution over time with those found in Latin historical writing. The conference offers an innovative approach by integrating historiography with the study of Roman imperialism. Organizers: Christopher Baron (University of Notre Dame)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen) List of speakers: Sulochana Asirvatham (Montclair State University)Christopher Burden-Strevens (University of Kent)Jessica Clark (Florida State University)Cynthia Damon (University of Pennsylvania)Jon Davies (University of Copenhagen)Jennifer Gerrish (College of Charleston)Caitlin Gillespie (Brandeis University)Kyle Khellaf (UC Riverside)Mads Ortving Lindholmer (Danish Institute in Rome)Regina Loehr (Washington University in St. Louis)Jesper Majbom Madsen (University of Southern Denmark)Kit Morrell (University of Queensland)Josiah Osgood (Georgetown University)Antonio Pistellato (Università Ca’Foscari Venezia)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen)Andrew Scott (Villanova University)Kathryn Welch (University of Sydney)Liv Mariah Yarrow (Brooklyn College) Sponsors: Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts, Notre Dame Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) Department of Classics, Notre Dame Department of History, Notre Dame Originally published at classics.nd.edu.

Register here Join us for an engaging discussion on the groundbreaking Abraham Accords and their implications for national security, regional order, and popular representation in the Middle East. Signed on September 15, 2020, the accords normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and later Morocco, marking a major shift in regional dynamics. In this event, co-authors of The Abraham Accords: National Security, Regional Order, and Popular Representation (Lexington Books, 2025) will explore the motivations and impacts of this historic agreement. They will analyze how political consolidation, pluralism, and regional alliances have shaped normalization trends with Israel and could influence future developments, especially amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Moderated by Asher Kaufman, John M. Regan, Jr. Director of the Kroc Institute for International Studies, the panel will provide key insights into Israel's relationships with the six Gulf Cooperation Council states—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and the UAE—as well as Iran. Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the evolving dynamics of Middle Eastern politics and diplomacy. Panelists: Banafsheh Keynoush, scholar in residence, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre DameGuy Burton, visiting fellow, Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianisation Project, Lancaster University  Register here Originally published at kroc.nd.edu.

A professor of music theory at Florida State University and recent past president of the Society for Music Theory, Michael Buchler will discuss the 1959 musical Gypsy (Styne and Sondheim) though an examination of Momma Rose’s music and how it reflects her increasing obsessiveness and decreasing relationship with reality. Originally published at music.nd.edu.

In this final teaching conference of the Organs and Origins series co-sponsored by the College of Science and the McGrath Institute for Church Life, scientists, philosophers and theologians will come together to consider the question of purpose and meaning in the universe. Is it merely a projection of human striving onto the cosmos? Or is there something more about it which can contribute to our understanding and to the dialogue between the sciences, philosophy and theology? Through generous funding from the John Templeton Foundation, 29 stipended fellowships are available for faculty and graduate students from across the disciplines who seek to enrich their teaching and research through this learning experience. Click here for more information and to register   Originally published at mcgrath.nd.edu.

Scholars have been thinking about the Roman empire for a long time, offering a variety of theories and explanations for Roman imperialism. Too often, however, they have taken the writings of the ancient historians simply at face value. The object of this conference is to examine the attitudes toward Roman imperialism on the part of Greek historians writing under the Roman empire, and to compare these views and their evolution over time with those found in Latin historical writing. The conference offers an innovative approach by integrating historiography with the study of Roman imperialism. Organizers: Christopher Baron (University of Notre Dame)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen) List of speakers: Sulochana Asirvatham (Montclair State University)Christopher Burden-Strevens (University of Kent)Jessica Clark (Florida State University)Cynthia Damon (University of Pennsylvania)Jon Davies (University of Copenhagen)Jennifer Gerrish (College of Charleston)Caitlin Gillespie (Brandeis University)Kyle Khellaf (UC Riverside)Mads Ortving Lindholmer (Danish Institute in Rome)Regina Loehr (Washington University in St. Louis)Jesper Majbom Madsen (University of Southern Denmark)Kit Morrell (University of Queensland)Josiah Osgood (Georgetown University)Antonio Pistellato (Università Ca’Foscari Venezia)Anders Holm Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen)Andrew Scott (Villanova University)Kathryn Welch (University of Sydney)Liv Mariah Yarrow (Brooklyn College) Sponsors: Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts, Notre Dame Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) Department of Classics, Notre Dame Department of History, Notre Dame Originally published at classics.nd.edu.

As part of the Keough-Naughton Institute's spring 2025 speaker series, Professor John Morrison will deliver a lecture titled "Presbyterian Martyr John Brown of Priesthill and the Disruption." Lecture Abstract  In 1843 the presbyterian Church of Scotland split along ideological lines. The dispute centered on the question of 'patronage,' or who had the power to appoint any given individual minister: the congregation of the church he was being appointed to, or the principal local landowner. Around forty percent of all incumbent ministers walked out of the Church of Scotland over the issue and established the Free Church. This arcane piece of exclusively Scottish history was a major event in Scotland but not hugely significant (or, apparently, terribly interesting) However, it is more thought provoking than it initially appears. At the time, the 'Disruption' of the Kirk occasioned much literature and painting on and around the event, and the 1844 painting in the Raclin Murphy collection, Thomas Duncan’s sketch for The Death of John Brown of Priesthill relates directly, if metaphorically. Duncan’s subject is historical: depicting an event in the late 17th century, it is about sometimes extremist presbyterian belief, political power and revolution. In this lecture, Professor John Morrison will consider the painting, its 17th century subject, its relevance to its 19th century context, and its relationship to Ireland, Scotland and Notre Dame. Speaker Biography John Morrison took a Ph.D. in Art History at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Following a period at the Yale Center for British Art in Connecticut working on the success of the ‘Glasgow Boys’ in the USA in the late nineteenth century, Professor Morrison joined the Art History Department at the University of Aberdeen in 1992. He went on to be Head of the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy and Director of teaching and learning for Arts and Social Sciences. From July 2019 he became Head of the School of History and Heritage at the University of Lincoln. He has appeared regularly on radio and television and published several monographs on Scottish art and cultural history, including Painting the Nation (EUP), Painting Labour in Scotland and Europe 1850-1900 (Ashgate) and Land and Landscape (Sansom). He is currently working on a volume of historical sources for nineteenth-century Scottish painting for Routledge. This event is co-sponsored by the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. Originally published at irishstudies.nd.edu.

In this final teaching conference of the Organs and Origins series co-sponsored by the College of Science and the McGrath Institute for Church Life, scientists, philosophers and theologians will come together to consider the question of purpose and meaning in the universe. Is it merely a projection of human striving onto the cosmos? Or is there something more about it which can contribute to our understanding and to the dialogue between the sciences, philosophy and theology? Through generous funding from the John Templeton Foundation, 29 stipended fellowships are available for faculty and graduate students from across the disciplines who seek to enrich their teaching and research through this learning experience. Click here for more information and to register   Originally published at mcgrath.nd.edu.

Classics in the BrowningDirected by Terrence MalickWith Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Sean PennRated PG-13, 139 minutes, DCPPanel discussion to follow!Terrence Malick took home the Palme d'Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival for this impressionistic story of a Midwestern family in the 1950's. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt). Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn) finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith. Through Malick's signature imagery, we see how both brute nature and spiritual grace shape not only our lives as individuals and families, but all life. GET TICKETS

This event is part of the Kroc Institute’s series on intersectionality and justice as a beneficial framework and methodology paired with peace studies. The series is led by Ashley Bohrer, assistant professor of gender and peace studies, and features a variety of guest presenters who address the potential of intersectional analysis to transform timely global conversations and issues. Since the new millennium, Rwanda has been celebrated as a prosperous country with the highest number of women (61% in 2018) in its Parliament. Yet, President Paul Kagame has been winning Rwandan elections since 2003, and in 2024 was elected to a fourth term with 99.15% vote. Led by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), the government has been criticized as an authoritarian state for its repression of political dissidents. Dr. Xianan Jin, lecturer in politics at the University of Exeter, will discuss her book project, "Selective Capital in Women’s Political Participation: Neoliberal Authoritarianism in Rwanda," which investigates the paradox between liberal political inclusion of women and oppressive state control. Originally published at kroc.nd.edu.

“Vocation as a Principle of Natural Law: A Book Launch and Discussion of Ethics, Politics and Natural Law." Melissa Moschella serves as a Professor of the Practice at the McGrath Institute. We hope you will join us to celebrate the launch of her newest book, published through University of Notre Dame Press. This event will include comments from Danial Philpott and David Cloutier. Originally published at mcgrath.nd.edu.