This Faculty Convivium will feature Calum Lister Matheson (Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication at the University of Pittsburgh)!
American society seems to have fractured. Common touchpoints of authority have receded and beliefs that were once taboo are now openly shared, from neo-Nazism to occultism to conspiracy thinking. In this book, Calum Lister Matheson goes beyond the fraying of contemporary American culture to ask how splinter communities form in our current media environment, what keeps them together, and what they build from the ruins of shared language.
Matheson examines far-flung groups that have departed the mainstream—Sandy Hook deniers, Appalachian serpent handlers, pro-anorexia bloggers, incels, and more—and finds unexpected similarities among their many differences. Key among their parallels is the insistence that the symbols shared by each community represent a hidden truth that cannot be questioned or interpreted but is revealed through signs—words, images, videos, and texts. In this talk, Matheson will highlight the implications of these movements for those committed to the study of religion and detail how Christian thought influenced his writing in sometimes unexpected ways.
The Christian Faculty Convivium creates a space for faculty to meet, collaborate, and foster intellectual friendships. Twice a semester, Beatrice Institute Faculty Fellows host an evening of refreshments and a short talk. Consonant with Beatrice Institute's mission, these gatherings are animated by intellectual friendship and allow area faculty to explore interdisciplinary collaborations and enjoy the company of those who pursue the Beautiful, the Good, and the True.
Spouses and significant others are welcome! Childcare and pizza will be available for little ones in an adjacent room.
This is an open event, so feel free to pass this information along to any local faculty member who might be interested in attending or learning more about Beatrice Institute.