Events 2023-2024

“Contextualizing the Conflict” Conversations About the Middle East

Wednesday, October 18, 12:15-1:45 pm, McKinnon Hall

Over 200 Elon students, faculty and staff gathered in McKinnon Hall for the event aimed to engage the university community on the historical context and current conflict between Israel and Palestine. More than 20 faculty members from a broad range of disciplines held discussions on their specific areas of expertise and how those areas relate to the ongoing conflict — from political science, religious studies, journalism, history, and law. After 15 minutes of open discussion, participants rotated to another table with another topic. “Elon has long had a commitment to providing educational opportunities after major breaking news events. As a higher education institution, we value bringing our students together with our faculty who have expertise,” Jason Husser, associate professor of political science and one of the event’s organizers said. “I hope those who attend get a deeper sense of the context of a very complex situation and understand the issues can be approached from many different angles.”

Forms of Worship: the Construction of Africa’s Most Popular Traditional Religion

Tuesday, October 31, 4:30 pm, McBride Gathering Space

Dr. Ayodeji Ogunnaike is this year’s Powell Lecturer in Religious Studies Dr. Ogunnaike earned his PhD in African Studies from Harvard University and is now a faculty member at The Carter G. Woodson Institute for African and African American Studies at the University of Virginia. His lecture, stemming from his ongoing book project, will discuss how forms of Oriṣa worship in Yoruba traditions became reclassified as “religion” in Nigeria and Brazil in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Walking the Land: Hiking, Environment and National Identity in Israel

Tuesday, November 7, 5:30 pm, LaRose Student Commons 200

Shay Rabineau, associate professor of Israel studies and associate director of the Center for Israel Studies at Binghamton University, gave his lecture titled, “Walking the Land: Hiking, Environment and National Identity in Israel.” Based on the speaker’s recently published book, “Walking the Land: A History of Israeli Hiking Trails,” the presentation illuminated the importance of Israel’s hiking trails and the development of a thriving recreational culture among locals and visitors alike to the country’s history, national identity and conservation efforts in a variety of ways. Using a seemingly superficial topic – hiking trails – the lecture also explored their profound impact on Zionist thought, Israeli society and Palestinian national aspirations.

Imam W.D. Mohammed Symposium

Thursday, November 14, McBride Gathering Space

Students, faculty, and staff gathered on Nov. 14 for a symposium to honor the legacy of Imam W.D. Mohammed, the son of the Nation of Islam leader, Elijah Muhammed, in the McBride Gathering Space of the Numen Lumen Pavilion. For the third year in a row, Muslim Life at Elon, The Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, and the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society co-sponsored this event, which provides space for education and engagement around the legacy of W.D. Mohammed.

Panel Discussion: The Wisdom Commentary on Revelation by Lynn R. Huber

Thursday, February 8, 5:30-6:45 pm, McBride Gathering Space

Maude Sharpe Powell Professor of Religious Studies, Lynn Huber, recently completed work on the field’s newest commentary on the biblical Book of Revelation, the first feminist commentary on the deeply influential text. We are happy to welcome Anathea Portier-Young (Duke Divinity School), Katherine Shaner (Wake Forest University), and Jennifer Knust (Duke University) to offer their reflections on this major scholarly contribution. Lynn Huber will discuss her work with the late Gail O’Day in the early phases of the project and share her own thoughts on its place in feminist biblical criticism.

Identity, Trauma, Justice: The War Between Israel and Hamas

Thursday, March 14, 4:30 pm, LaRose Theatre, Koury Business Center

Is Peace Possible in Palestine/Israel?

Monday, April 8, McBride Gathering Space, Numen Lumen Pavillion