CIRCA News from the University of Chicago Divinity School

Found In Translation At Wednesday lunch on February 18, 2015 in the Common Room we held a Dean’s Forum on Professor Anthony C. Yu’s four-volume tome, The Journey to the West (University of Chicago Press, 2012), which comprises an extended introduction and thoroughly revised translation of the classic sixteenth-century Chinese novel.

Professor Yu’s work is a masterpiece of wrong (human) prey or Cinderella-like motifs translation, history of religions analysis, one is dealing with “always available, never and deft and keen literary criticism; indeed, copyrighted folklore.” it is a work of Religion and Literature— In the second response, Professor Brook the signature field of the Divinity School in Letter Ziporyn, translator of the Zhuangzi and which Professor Yu received his PhD and other Chinese texts, noted the monumental served as distinguished professor—at its scholarly achievement this revision finest. When the original four-volume set from the constitutes, and its “sleekness of tone, was completed, in a review in 1983 in the briskness of rhythm” and proximity to the New York Times, Professor David Lattimore “comic allegro of the original.” The Journey of Brown University said the work completes Dean to the West, Ziporyn echoed with Yu, “one of the great ventures of our time in emphasizes the paradoxes of the public humanistic translation and publication.” and private, the obedient and rebellious, How can one improve on that? the attempt to use language and culture to In his opening remarks, Professor Yu seek the truth, and the ultimate acceptance described some of the challenges facing that the truth will always transcend them. any translator of this work, which in Here Ziporyn brought in the saying from the satirizing Daoist, Buddhist and Confucian Chan Buddhist tradition, “officially not religious practice, often inculcates at even a needle is allowed to pass, but least three levels of linguistic meaning privately even chariots can pass through,” simultaneously, fashioning “a patterned to illustrate how the novel, The Journey to tapestry of captivated narration.” But, the West, through “carnivalesque border he emphasized, this form of expressing crossings” of its little band of human and pregnant multi-valence does not just animal pilgrims encapsulates both how substitute one meaning for another; it historical reality is intertwined with poetic challenges the very power of signs to license and how ultimate truth is inexorably signify securely. His task as a translator and of knowledge. “Without translation,” combined with conventional truth (those then as the reviser of his own translation she said, “there cannot be culture or huge and unwieldy things that appear seeking to make it all the better (for no knowledge.” She praised Yu’s extensive everywhere). So it is with the border- translation is ever complete) was to new introduction to The Journey to the crossing that is translation—that work of communicate in English in a way that tries West as a major piece of scholarship in its intellect and art, of cultural knowledge to retain the hermeneutical promiscuity own right, even without the translation. and humanistic optimism at the possibility of the original. This is crucial, Professor Yu A skilled translator of the Rig Veda, the of cross-linguistic, cross-temporal and intoned so powerfully at the end of the Kamasutra and other Sanskrit works cross-regional communication. hour, because there is no singular or (including the Hinduism volume of the Five years ago I wrote my first Dean’s homogenous Chinese religious, cultural, newly appeared Norton Anthology of World column, on the threshold of becoming Dean political or literary tradition, but a great Religions), Doniger explored some of the of the Divinity School July 1, 2010, and now variety. And, he warned, “you will never remarkable episodes in The Journey to the I write my last, on my translation back into understand Chinese religions if you do not West and the perennial questions of full-time scholarship and teaching effective pay close attention to the fiction.” whether the direction of influence went July 1, 2015, literally via a Guggenheim grant In the first response, Professor Wendy from India to China or China to India or awarded in 2010 but deferred until academic Doniger began with an encomium to whether at some point, when dealing with year 2015–2016 when I shall have a full translation itself, as one of the cornerstones talking monkeys, hunters shooting the Continued on page 10

SPRING 2015 | NUMBER 42

83511_Circa_a1.indd 1 7/6/15 1:35 PM Faculty News and Notes

of church-state power and Christian-Muslim difference on an everyday basis. Ultimately, her study tracks the materialities of imaginary practice to analyze the making of religion in public theaters of revolution, national- sectarianism and communal authoritarianism. Her second book project shifts gears to Evangelical South Korea to consider the confluence of late capitalist development and anti-communist ideology in Cold War Asia. Of special interest are the transnational linkages between religious enterprise and political conservatism. Dr. Heo is also nourishing broader interests in American and German Protestant mission history abroad, the emergence of ‘third world’ theologies and the role of religion in post-1965 US immigrant communities. Professor Heo will be offering “Anthropology of Religion” and “Spirits of Capitalism” in the Autumn Quarter, and “Comparative and Global Christianities” and “Religion and the Cold War” in Winter 2016. tay up-to-date with news at the Divinity School: bookmark Continued on page 3 our website at divinity.uchicago.edu, find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for our weekly email Son public events in Swift Hall.

Heo and Fredericks Join Faculty

We welcome two new faculty members Asian Pacific Rim. She is interested in the study to Swift Hall in July of 2015. of comparative and global Christianities in the modern world, with particular focus on Eastern Angie Heo will join the faculty as Assistant Orthodox and Evangelical Protestant traditions. Professor of the Anthropology and Sociology Dr. Heo’s first book (under review) examines of Religion. holy images in Egypt to approach the social, Dr. Angie Heo is an anthropologist focusing religious and political dynamics of Coptic on public and political cultures of religion, Orthodoxy in Egypt. Grounded in thirty months media, and economy. Her geographic areas of of fieldwork carried out over a momentous research include the Arab Middle East and the decade (2004-2014), her ethnography African Mediterranean, Northeast Asia and the scrutinizes the visual technological mediation

Willemien Otten named a Luce Fellow

innovative theological research, Fellows engage John Scottus Eriugena and modern Ralph Waldo in yearlong research in various areas of theologi- Emerson. The project will also draw on the cal inquiry. The six new Fellows constitute the thought of Maximus Confessor, Augustine, twenty-second class of scholars to be appointed Schleiermacher, and William James. A second since the inception of the program in 1993. goal of the project is to deconstruct the modern Willemien Otten studies the history of notion of pantheism and reinstate nature as Christianity and Christian thought with a focus on conduit of the divine in the West. She will do the Western medieval and the early Christian so with the aid of the medieval notion of the intellectual tradition, including the continuity of parallelism of nature and Scripture by which, Platonic themes. Her project as a Luce Fellow will through a kind of communicatio idiomatum, be “Natura Educans: The Psychology of Pantheism nature can speak if and when in a secular and from Eriugena to Emerson.” Otten’s aim is to global world Scripture stands to lose some recalibrate the Christian tradition on nature of its force. By taking nature out of a state of through a deconstruction of pantheism. The result environmental victimhood, Otten intends will be a dynamic sense of nature that is animated to rehabilitate it as a source for theological by the divine without canceling out the human reflection not unlike how it is used for self. Her reconfiguration of the Christian natural philosophical reflection, varying from deep tradition will take shape in a book project with ecology to moral perfectionism. Willemien Otten, Professor of Theology and the the title, Natura Educans: The Psychology of The Luce Fellows program is supported by a History of Christianity, has been named a Pantheism from Eriugena to Emerson. grant from The Henry Luce Foundation, honoring 2015–2016 Luce Fellow by the Association of In her project, Otten seeks to develop a the late Henry Luce III. The Henry Luce Foundation, Theological Schools in the United States and revised history of nature, allowing for a deeper established in 1936, builds upon the vision and Canada (ATS) and The Henry Luce Foundation, Inc. sense of nature in which the divine is inherent values of four generations of the Luce family: Selected on the basis of the strength of and lends nature a voice of its own. She will broadening knowledge and encouraging the their proposals to conduct creative and dialogue with two central authors, premodern highest standards of service and leadership.

2 CIRCA

83511_Circa_a1.indd 2 7/6/15 1:35 PM

Faculty News and Notes

Continued from page 2

Sarah E. Fredericks will join the faculty as Professor Fredericks Assistant Professor of Environmental Ethics. will be offering Profesor Fredericks joins us from the University “Introduction to of North Texas, where she was Associate Professor Environmental Ethics” in the Department of Philosophy and Religion. and “Sustainability” She is the author of Measuring and in the Autumn Quarter Evaluating Sustainability: Ethics in Sustainability and “The Place of Indexes (Routledge, 2013), and articles in Science in Religious Journal for the Study of Religion; Nature and Environmental Ethics” Culture; International Journal of Sustainable and “Environmental Development and World Ecology; Environmental Guilt and Shame” in Ethics; and Ethics, Policy, and Environment. Winter 2016. Her research focuses on sustainability, sustainable energy, environmental guilt and shame, and environmental justice. Professor Fredericks holds a PhD in Science, Philosophy and Religion from Boston University.

In Memoriam

Martin Riesebrodt, 1948–2014 greatest contributions to his field was “the in mentoring me so that I could become a Riesebrodt, professor emeritus of the sociology re-assertion of the relevance of the Weberian rigorous thinker.” of religion in the Divinity School and Department approach,” explained Andreas Glaeser, His mentorship extended beyond the of Sociology, died December 6, 2014 of cancer professor in sociology. academic—Riesebrodt and his wife Brigitte in Berlin. He was 66. “He re-introduced a generation of [American] were always willing to open their homes to “Martin Riesebrodt was a marvelous scholar scholars to Max Weber and the importance of graduate students, inviting them to social and human being; his work on comparative the Weberian perspective for an understanding events and reminding them that family life was fundamentalisms and on definitions of religion of religion,” agreed Lincoln, the Caroline E. as important as academic work. and their social mechanisms will stand the test Haskell Distinguished Service Professor in the Riesebrodt continued to look out for his of time for their cogency, sanity and critical Divinity School. students well beyond their time at the bite,” said Margaret M. Mitchell, the Shailer Riesebrodt’s views and social scientific University, even contacting colleagues at other Mathews Professor of New Testament and Early approach sometimes set him apart from other institutions on their behalf as they searched Christian Literature and dean of the Divinity thinkers in the field of religious studies. Yet for jobs. School. “His death is a great loss to us at the colleagues say he exuded a quiet confidence in After he had finished his graduate work, University and to the academy.” his own work—a confidence he instilled in the Lybarger continued to seek Riesebrodt’s Colleagues say Riesebrodt’s work offered an students whom he mentored. feedback on his works in progress. “He would important counterpoint to religious studies “He left a cadre of really beautifully trained, invariably respond very thoughtfully,” says scholarship that de-emphasized the value of very intelligent and energetic students who Lybarger, who helped to organize a conference comparing different traditions. Riesebrodt, by are continuing the kind of work he tutored in 2011 at the Divinity School in Riesebrodt’s contrast, believed that looking across many them in,” said Lincoln. “I don’t think I’ve seen honor. “I trusted his intellectual support.” religions and the behavior of their practitioners anybody take better care of his advisees At the same time, Riesebrodt never tried to yielded deeper, more meaningful discoveries. than Martin.” force his own ideas onto his graduate students. In Pious Passion: The Emergence of Modern Loren Lybarger, PhD’02, now a senior “What I admired most in his mentoring was Fundamentalism in the United States and Iran fellow at the Martin Marty Center, experienced the latitude he gave his students, his pushing (University of California Press, 1993; German firsthand the gentle care and high expectations us to find our own voices, to be the best original, 1990), which his colleague Bruce Riesebrodt had for his students. He could be scholars we could, in our own styles,” remem- Lincoln calls “the best study of fundamentalism tough-minded, but always in a constructive bers Geneviève Zubrzycki, PhD’02, who is now that’s ever been produced,” Riesebrodt argued way, Lybarger recalls: “He was very interested an associate professor of sociology at the that American Protestant and Iranian Shi’ite University of Michigan. fundamentalism were motivated in part by “He insisted that the best way to get a

a desire to reassert patriarchal structures job was not to mold ourselves to the of authority. market’s expectations, whatever the fad of Riesebrodt took on an even more the day might be, but to do what we love ambitious project in The Promise of and do it brilliantly so that others would be Salvation: A Theory of Religion (University of convinced of the work’s importance.” Chicago Press, 2010; German original, Riesebrodt studied anthropology at 2007). By looking at why and how religion the University of Heidelberg and sociology is practiced—and how religions talk at the University of Munich. He taught in about their own beliefs and the beliefs his native Germany until he joined the of other faiths—Riesebrodt sought to define University of Chicago faculty in 1990. In and understand religion as a universal his retirement, he returned to Europe and human concept. taught at the Graduate Institute in Geneva Riesebrodt was an internationally where he held the Yves Oltramare Chair for recognized expert on the work of the Religion and Politics. influential German sociologist Max Weber. Riesebrodt is survived by his wife, He was an associate director of the Max artist Brigitte Riesebrodt, and their son, Weber Archives and one of the editors of Max, both of Berlin. A University memorial a German critical edition of Weber’s work, service was held on Thursday, March 12, Max Weber-Gesamtausgabe. Among his in Swift Hall.

SPRING 2015 | 3

83511_Circa_a2.indd 3 7/6/15 5:34 PM

Faculty News and Notes

Schweiker to Direct Applications came from many countries, discipline of comparative literature; fields may from Argentina to Egypt to Taiwan, and from include literary or cultural theory or history, or Enhancing Life Project many disciplines (Christian and Islamic any other field of comparative literature. Theology, Philosophy of Law, Murrin is the Raymond W. and Martha Hilpert Media Studies, Philosophy of Gruner Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus Biology, Philosophy of in the Humanities and Professor of Religion and Technology, Cognitive Literature in the Divinity School. His research Science, et al.). “We are interests lie in the history of criticism, with a proud of having received specialty in the history of allegorical interpretation, applications from seventeen and the study of the genres of romance and countries and from many epic. His publications include The Veil of disciplines necessary to Allegory; The Allegorical Epic; and History and establish a new field of Warfare in Renaissance Epic. Enhancing Life Studies. Trade and Romance examines the complex We are very positive we relations between the expansion of trade in will build a strong, multi- Asia and the production of heroic romance in national team. Such a team Europe from the second half of the thirteenth can explore the driving century through the late seventeenth century. Springhart forces for enhancing, but Heike also for endangering, Françoise Meltzer elected to life,” said Thomas. William Schweiker, Professor of Theological The interdisciplinary work will start with 2015 class of American Ethics, and Günter Thomas of Ruhr-University a two-week summer residency seminar in Academy of Arts and Sciences Bochum / Germany have been named Banff, Canada, followed by residency seminars co-Leaders of The Enhancing Life Project, in Berlin and Chicago. The Chicago residency The newly elected class of a $4.6M three-year grant from the John seminar ends with a two-day capstone members of the American Templeton Foundation. conference, open to the public. Schweiker Academy of Arts and The project will explore essential aspirations noted that, “the Project strives to communicate Sciences includes five of human beings that move persons and the academic findings to wider publics in UChicago faculty members, communities into the future. Given the profound society and media. It thus actively engages including the Divinity expansion of human power through technology ‘public interlocutors’ from different societal School’s Françoise Meltzer. as well as advances in genetics, ecology, and realms including religious studies, law, One of the nation’s other fields, the vulnerability and endangerment media, and the arts; it supports media most prestigious honorary as well as the enhancement of life are dominant coverage of the conference; and it will societies, the American themes in the global age. But because human video-stream key discussions among scholars Academy is also a leading center for indepen- aspirations are often implicit in a society’s via the Project’s website.” dent policy research. Members contribute culture and are intertwined with, for example, Scholars will also teach two courses on to Academy publications and studies of media narratives, political symbols, or religious enhancing life topics within their field and write science and technology policy, global security rituals, it is not surprising that the desire to a major manuscript during the course of the and international affairs, social policy and enhance life is as pervasive as it is overlooked in grant. The Enhancing Life Project website will American institutions, and the humanities, the academy and even in public life. The Project eventually feature project descriptions, course arts and education. explores this rich but widely unexamined syllabi, and publications in various forms Françoise Meltzer, Professor of the dimension of human aspiration and social life. (essays, articles, blog posts). Philosophy of Religions and Edward Carson “We live in an age in which there is the Thomas said, “the Project lays the foundation Waller Distinguished Service Professor in the challenge and also the responsibility to orient for a new field of inquiry, Enhancing Life Studies, Humanities, studies contemporary critical the many means of altering forms of life so that which will show the interrelation between the theory and 19th-century French, English and we actually enhance life,” said Schweiker. “This humanities and the natural and social sciences. It German literature. Meltzer’s publications is a question that reaches in scope from the will also define the necessary interaction of forms include Hot Property: The Stakes and Claims whole planetary system to the human genome. of inquiry with the purpose of enhancing life.” of Literary Originality (1994), For Fear of The Enhancing Life Project is an exciting The John Templeton Foundation serves the Fire: Joan of Arc and the Limits of Subjectivity international and cross-disciplinary undertaking as a philanthropic catalyst for discoveries (2001) and Seeing Double: Baudelaire’s to understand and to address this challenge.” relating to the Big Questions of human purpose Modernity (2011). With Ja´s Elsner (Visiting The key components of the Enhancing Life and ultimate reality, and encourages civil, Professor of Art and Religion), she edited Project are two types of research fellowships informed dialogue among scientists, philoso- Saints: Faith Without Borders (2011). She has and three two-week summer residency phers, and theologians and between such edited Critical Inquiry since 1982. In 2006, seminars. In order to expand the academic experts and the public at large, for the purposes Meltzer received the Chevalier dans l’Ordre understanding of the dynamics of enhancing of definitional clarity and new insights. des Palmes Académiques (Knight in the Order life, the Project will support approximately Interested parties are encouraged to visit of the Academic Palms) from the French fifteen research projects of advanced career enhancinglife.uchicago.edu. government, the highest honor for academics scholars with $100,000 each and approxi- in France. She began teaching at UChicago mately twenty research projects of early career in 1975. scholars with $50,000 each, for a period Murrin Awarded Members of the 2015 class include of two years. Scholars will be announced on Rene Wellek Prize recipients of the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes; June 1, 2015. MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships; and Advanced Career Scholars are experts in The latest book by Grammy, Emmy, Oscar and Tony awards. their fields, teaching at accredited colleges and Michael Murrin, Trade “We are honored to elect a new class of universities, with proven track records of and Romance (University extraordinary women and men to join our successfully carrying out ambitious research of Chicago Press, 2013), distinguished membership,” said Don Randel, projects. Early Career Scholars have all earned has been awarded the chair of the Academy’s Board of Directors. PhDs or their equivalent, are teaching at 2015 René Wellek Prize “Each new member is a leader in his or her field accredited colleges and universities, and have from the American and has made a distinct contribution to the done research which shows outstanding Comparative Literature nation and the world. We look forward to academic promise. All are excellent in their own Association. engaging them in the intellectual life of this disciplines and are committed to interdisciplinary The René Wellek vibrant institution.” work on the topic of enhancing life. Prize recognizes an outstanding book in the

4 CIRCA

83511_Circa_a1.indd 4 7/6/15 1:35 PM In Memoriam

Anthony C. Yu, 1938–2015 Anthony C. Yu, a scholar of religion and On February 18, 2015, Our Wednesday Lunch program was a Dean’s Forum on the new literature best known for his landmark translation of the Chinese epic The Journey to edition of The Journey To The West, featuring Professor Yu and colleagues Wendy Doniger, the West, died May 12, 2015, after a brief Mircea Eliade Distinguished Service Professor of History of Religions, and Brook A. Ziporyn, illness. He was 76. Professor of Chinese Religion, Philosophy, and Comparative Thought. The video of that forum Yu, the Carl Darling Buck Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in the Humanities is available online (visit divinity.uchicago.edu/multimedia). and the Divinity School, introduced a comparative approach to the study of religion and literature that drew on both Eastern and Western traditions. Over his distinguished Yu, PhD’69, rediscovered Journey to the and a man of wide reading and deep insight,” career, he made contributions on figures as West as a young scholar at the University of said Bruce Lincoln, the Caroline E. Haskell wide-ranging as Aeschylus, Dante, Milton and Chicago. At the time, only one abridged English Distinguished Service Professor of the History William Faulkner. His work engages Chinese edition was available. of Religions in the Divinity School. religions as well as classic texts of Christianity, Yu’s colleagues Herrlee Creel in East The field of religion and literature perfectly Buddhism and Hinduism. Asian Languages and Civilizations, and suited Yu’s far-reaching interests and “Professor Anthony C. Yu was an outstanding Joseph Mitsuo Kitagawa, then dean of the expertise. He wrote influential articles arguing scholar, whose work was marked by uncommon Divinity School, encouraged him to undertake for the importance of studying religion and erudition, range of reference and interpretive a fresh translation. literature together. sophistication. He embodied the highest virtues With more than 100 chapters containing “He theorized [the study of religion and of the University of Chicago, his alma mater and both prose and verse, as well as complex literature] as well as exemplified it,” said his academic home as a professor for 46 years, religious and literary allusions, Journey to Wendy Doniger, the Mircea Eliade Distinguished with an appointment spanning five departments the West posed enormous challenges to a Service Professor of the History of Religions in of the University. Tony was also a person of modern translator. Yu chased down every the Divinity School. inimitable elegance, dignity, passion and the poem, song and piece of scripture referenced Doniger, who co-taught a course on the highest standards for everything he did,” said in the sprawling novel. Yet he also wanted mythology of evil with Yu, recalled an agile and Margaret M. Mitchell, the Shailer Mathews to balance scholarly thoroughness with a text energetic teacher who rarely even glanced at Professor of New Testament and Early Christian that would appeal to a broad audience. his prepared notes. Literature and dean of the Divinity School. “The most important thing is to make the “Studying with him was a tremendous Yu was born on Oct. 6, 1938 in Hong Kong. text available,” he told the University of privilege,” said Yu’s former student Eric The outbreak of World War II forced his family Chicago Chronicle. Ziolkowski, who now teaches at Lafayette to flee to mainland China in 1941. To distract Yu’s translation of Journey to the West College. “He exuded a passion and an intensity him from the fear and danger of the conflict, appeared to wide acclaim in 1983. “While his that were contagious to anyone fortunate Yu’s grandfather began to tell him fantastical translation does full justice to the adventure, enough to be his student.” stories of a wise monk and his companions lyricism and buffoonery of the Journey to the Yu was a demanding teacher, but he paired Monkey and Pig. West, it is completely sensitive to the spiritual his high expectations with generosity and These stories were drawn from Journey content of the text as well,” David Lattimore attentiveness. Yu regularly hosted dinners at to the West, a 16th-century novel that is wrote in The New York Times. The book received his home and invited students to attend the considered a classic in China. The novel the Laing Prize from the University of Chicago opera or symphony. He maintained warm follows the monk’s adventures as he travels Press in 1984. relationships with many of his advisees long across China in search of Buddhist scriptures But Yu still wasn’t done with Journey to the after they graduated. from India. West: He published an abridged translation, As a colleague, Yu was “a warm presence “I was crazy about the stories and would The Monkey and the Monk in 2006. He also in the life of the Divinity School, even after badger my grandpa all the time, whether we updated and revised the unabridged text. his retirement. He was invariably the first would be in air-raid shelters or fleeing from A second edition of Journey to the West to congratulate colleagues on their scholarly some terrible dangers,” recalled Yu. appeared in 2012. achievements. Indeed, he took a genuine Edward Shaughnessy, the interest in our work,” said Paul Mendes-Flohr, Lorraine J. and Herrlee G. Creel the Dorothy Grant Maclear Professor of Modern Distinguished Service Professor Jewish History and Thought in the Divinity in Early Chinese Studies and School. “He was an embodiment of the collegial the College, taught The Monkey and academic ethos of the Divinity School.” and the Monk in his Readings Yu was an elected member of the American and World Literature Core Academy of the Arts & Sciences, the American course. Yu visited the class and Council of Learned Societies and Academia delighted students with the Sinica. Among other appointments he was a story of the novel and its board member of the Modern Language translation. Association, and he received Guggenheim, “Tony was not only a great ACLS, Mellon and other prestigious fellowships translator of literature, but to support his research. someone who personified the A pianist and lover of classical music, Yu translation of culture in his and his wife Priscilla regularly attended the urbanity and in his ability Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera. to speak with everyone,” Yu organized small chamber ensembles with Shaughnessy said. his colleagues at the University. Yu’s expertise went far Friends and colleagues recalled Yu’s beyond Journey to the West and excellent taste in wine and fondness for Chinese literature. His gourmet cooking. “That was one of the great under­graduate studies at pleasures of knowing Tony—you ate very well,” Houghton College and his Doniger said. They also remembered him as a graduate training at the devoted husband and father. University of Chicago gave him For his student Ziolkowski, Yu “was living command of the Western proof that beneath every truly great humanist classics as well. is a great human being.” “He was really a com­ Yu is survived by his wife Priscilla and parativist in the truest sense, son Christopher.

SPRING 2015 | 5

83511_Circa_a1.indd 5 7/6/15 1:35 PM An Interview with Karin Krause

arin Krause is Assistant Professor of Byzantine Theology and Visual Culture K and Affiliate Faculty in the Department of Art History. She spoke with us about her work and finding her place in Swift Hall.

CIRCA: You are originally from Germany, and has with colleagues or students over a cup of you’ve studied and worked across Europe, coffee. People here are willing to share their from Greece to Finland—how are you finding insight and offer support, for which I am most the transition to the American higher- grateful. Also, I am impressed with the rich education system? scholarly resources provided by the Regenstein KK: I have always found it very enriching to Library and by the readiness of its staff to experience different cultural and intellectual facilitate our research in every possible way. environments. It is precisely the international During my first quarter of teaching here I have exchange that is so characteristic of academia already been using the collections of Byzantine which I find stimulating for my work. This is manuscripts and facsimiles quite extensively. why I always encourage my students to spend I had been to Chicago several times before some time abroad. Before joining the faculty joining the faculty, and it is clearly one of the of the University of Chicago I had also spent most fascinating places I have seen. Obviously, Jasmine some time in the U.S., for instance as a the city holds many assets for anyone

doctoral student when I had a Junior Fellowship interested in art and architecture and I became Kwong in Byzantine Studies at Dumbarton Oaks in a member of both the Art Institute and the Washington, D.C. Over the years I have had Chicago Architecture Foundation upon my considerable interaction with colleagues and arrival. Also, I saw it as a nice welcome that the friends from various academic institutions in exhibit of Byzantine art, Heaven and Earth, instructors, including Professor Horst this country, so America’s system of higher opened its doors at the Art Institute last fall. Hallensleben, an exceptionally gifted teacher education was not entirely foreign to me. After It is a fine display that provides a unique of Byzantine and Medieval Italian art history. more than ten years of active teaching and opportunity to explore with my students Many of the questions that guide my research research at different universities in Europe, and original works of art from Byzantium without today go back to when I was a student myself, now here at the University of Chicago, I have having to travel far. for instance matters of iconography or the seen that educational systems differ to some interrelation of art and text. Throughout its CIRCA: You are our first scholar dedicated to degree from one country to the other. European history Byzantium was very influential for Byzantine Theology and Visual Culture. Tell us universities have recently been subject to major Christian culture as a whole, and in many ways a little bit about how you came to this field curricular reforms—and reforms of reforms. this holds true up to today. Among the of research and what you find most intriguing Having experienced these, I am familiar with phenomena I have long been interested in are about it. many different approaches to higher education. the repercussions of Byzantine art and thought KK: “Things past” have always fascinated me. Ultimately, what matters most is to have a clear in the West. This is the context of a current As a teen I first had a strong interest in Classical idea about the standards of one’s own research book project dedicated to artifacts that were Archaeology, read a lot of books and spent my and teaching. My impression is that the Divinity transferred from Byzantium to Venice in the summers at the archaeological excavations of School and the University of Chicago at large later Middle Ages. I trace their early history in Roman sites in Xanten in the Lower Rhine area, welcomes individual approaches to pedagogy, Byzantium and critically investigate the impact where I grew up. It was largely through museum and I believe that my international experience these objects had at different times following visits and travel in the Mediterranean area that is regarded as fruitful. their arrival in the West, on art, religion, politics I was exposed to art of the Early Christian and and emerging scholarship. What I find CIRCA: How are you finding the University of Medieval periods as well. What attracted me in enthralling, too, is the pivotal role that images Chicago and the city as a place to work and live? the first place was the aesthetic appeal of many played at all levels of Byzantine society. The KK: Given the interdisciplinary scope of my buildings and artifacts and also the fact that relevance of visual culture is perhaps most interests, I greatly appreciate the lively they are early representatives of the culture that evident in the complex debates conducted exchange among people from different shaped me. I remember being intrigued, for over the course of several centuries by leading departments and research areas, which is instance, by the splendid mosaics in Ravenna intellectuals of the Byzantine Empire in order encouraged so strongly here at the University and the painted cave churches of Cappadocia, to define and defend religious images. In fact, of Chicago. The many workshops and lectures which aroused my interest in Byzantine art. in Byzantine culture art cannot possibly offer ample opportunity for intellectual exchange I enrolled as an Art History major at the be separated from religion and theology, across disciplines, however, what I find University of Bonn, where my fields of interest which is just one of the many reasons why equally inspiring are those more spontaneous were strongly represented in the curriculum. I am enthusiastic about teaching at a conversations about research, the kind one I was fortunate to work with stimulating Divinity School.

Faculty News and Notes

Miller appointed Laura and practical ethics. Modern Medicine (Indiana He is the author of University Press, 2003), Spelman Rockefeller Professor Interpretations of Conflict: and Terror, Religion, and Ethics, Pacifism, and the Liberal Thought (Columbia Richard B. Miller has been appointed the Laura Just-War Tradition University Press, 2010). Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Religious (University of Chicago He is currently at work on two Ethics in the Divinity School, effective July 1, Press, 1991); Casuistry projects: a collection of 2015. Professor Miller (PhD’85) joined the and Modern Ethics: papers on religion, ethics, Divinity School faculty in 2014. A Poetics of Practical and culture; the other a His research interests include religion and Reasoning (University of critical monograph on theory public life, political and social ethics, theory Chicago Press, 1996); and method in the academic and method in religious thought and ethics, Children, Ethics, and study of religion.

6 CIRCA

83511_Circa_a1.indd 6 7/6/15 1:35 PM Craft of Teaching in the Academic Study of Religion

[email protected] at any time for an up-to-date PDF cataloguing their attended workshops and remaining requirements. Brandon Cline, the inaugural coordinator for this program, has recently stepped down from the position. Brandon’s leadership of and commitment to the Craft of Teaching over these past three years have set a remarkable benchmark for designing and implementing a program that has already changed how scholars of religion are cultivated at the University of Chicago. Beyond Swift Hall, the Craft of Teaching Program continues to become known and appreciated in the academic community. This year, fourteen faculty members (including nine Divinity School alumni) from universities around the country have facilitated CoT workshops and returned to their institutions with a renewed sense of the Divinity School’s vigor in the preparation of teachers. We are working toward developing the Craft of Teaching website as a forum and online resource for teachers and scholars throughout the professional community. We launched a Kwong pedagogy blog, craftofteachingreligion. wordpress.com, which has run in tandem with Jasmine and offered external commentary on our programs, under the cursor of our inaugural blogger in digital residence, Professor Rebecca he heart of the Craft of Teaching (CoT) remains its public programming. Raphael of Texas State University. The quarterly Dean’s Seminar, where an eminent member of the alumni Stay tuned for further updates on all these community returns to present a unique take on the relation between course dimensions of CoT’s reach beyond Chicago in the coming months. If this year has prioritized striking Tdesign and institutional context remains our flagship program. Area-specific clubs a balance between critical reflection on teaching and interdisciplinary workshops continue to co-host pedagogy electives geared challenges and sustained practice of teaching toward the specific challenges of teaching in those arenas, and the Workshop for skills, next year will up the ante on training for the profession of teaching in its complex, interper- Teaching in the College remains an important component of our cultivation. sonal and institutional wholeness—with classroom pedagogy remaining the beating heart But a new category of program and a new program progress and for broad analysis of the program as of the program but not the limit of its reach. requirement have served to reorient CoT’s offerings a whole. At the end of this quarter, an email will in a more consistently applied direction. Arts of be sent to every active student with CoT credit, ­—Aaron Hollander, Program Coordinator Teaching events bring into focus the how of our updating each of them on his or her progress in profession, drawing on targeted preparation and the program; students may also send an email to in-workshop practice to cultivate the skills necessary to carry out the craft of teaching effectively. This year, Arts events include a Workshop on Public Speaking, workshops on assignment design and feedback, microteaching MA Student Chosen for Community Programs Accelerator workshops to practice ten-minute segments of a particular style of teaching, and a workshop on The Community Programs Accelerator at the Public Schools, other experiential and service learning. The new University of Chicago has selected four South coding programs, capstone requirement for CoT certification, a Side nonprofits to participate in the first round college-level computer Philosophy of Teaching Statement submitted for of its incubation program, which aims to science departments, feedback from the Divinity School’s Teaching Task strengthen organizations near the University’s and technology Force, serves to reinforce this practical emphasis campus. The inaugural group includes companies. The goal is with the opportunity to practice presenting one’s CoderSpace, which teaches South Side youth to build a broad base of emerging pedagogy in a coherent and professional how to write website code. tech talent throughout way. An annual workshop and resources on the CoderSpace is a project of Demond Drummer, the city. website will aid participants in learning this genre an MA student at the Divinity School. Drummer is “These four of specialized prose, and this Arts of Teaching track also a founding member of the Resident nonprofits are will continue to develop in the coming year. Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) and a spearheading Our programming has also grown in diversity long-time member of Chicago’s open government promising programs that of conversation partners and collaborators. In movement. He was previously an Organizing are making a difference in the communities addition to our ongoing relationship with the Fellow with the New Organizing Institute and a field around our campus,” said Derek Douglas, Vice Chicago Center for Teaching, we have established organizer for Barack Obama’s primary campaign President for Civic Engagement. “The Commu- new partnerships with The Regenstein Library in South Carolina. In 2013 he spearheaded the nity Programs Accelerator will provide access to and the Writing Center, drawing on their crowdfunding and launch of Englewood Codes, a comprehensive set of resources, including expertise and more fully integrating with which teaches local teens to code; CoderSpace UChicago students and campus and profes- conversations around teaching strategy and grew out of that project. In addition, he facilitates sional partners, that will help strengthen their practice already taking place in the University. digital leadership trainings with block club organizations and expand their impact for Meanwhile, behind the scenes, we have been members, parent leaders and business owners in the long-term.” building a database in which all CoT participation Chicago’s Englewood community. Visit divinity.uchicago.edu/multimedia to is recorded and automatically categorized, Drummer’s five-year plan for CoderSpace is see Mr. Drummer speaking at a Winter 2015 allowing for rapid reporting on single students’ to develop deep relationships with Chicago Wednesday Lunch.

SPRING 2015 | 7

83511_Circa_a1.indd 7 7/6/15 1:35 PM Recent and Upcoming Faculty Books

Hans Dieter Betz Jean-Luc Marion Studies in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians Courbet ou la peinture à l’oeil Mohr Siebeck, February, 2015 Flammarion, 2014

Simeon Chavel Bernard McGinn Oracular Law and Priestly Historiography in the Torah Thomas Aquinas’s Summa theologiae: Mohr Siebeck, 2014 a Biography Princeton University Press, 2014 Ryan Coyne Paul Mendes-Flohr, ed. Heidegger’s Confessions: the Remains of Saint Augustine in “Being and Time” and Beyond Dialogue as a Trans-Disciplinary Concept: University of Chicago Press, March, 2015 Martin Buber’s Philosophy of Dialogue and Its Contemporary Reception Arnold Davidson, ed., Graham Burchell, trans., de Gruyter, 2015 Michel Foucault Paul Mendes-Flohr and Anya Mali, eds. On The Government of the Living: Lectures at the Collège de France, 1979-1980 Gustav Landauer: Anarchist and Jew Palgrave Macmillan, 2014 de Gruyter, 2014

Arnold Davidson Richard B. Miller Religión, razón y espiritualidad (Alpha, Bet & Gimmel) Friends and Other Strangers Ediciones Alpha Decay, June, 2015 Columbia University Press, 2015

Wendy Doniger Michael Murrin On Hinduism Trade and Romance Oxford University Press, 2014 University of Chicago Press, 2014

Wendy Doniger, ed., Hinduism section Willemien Otten and Michael Allen, eds. Norton Anthology of World Religions Eriugena and Creation: Proceedings of the Eleventh Norton, 2014 International Conference on Eriugenian Studies, held in honor of Edouard Jeauneau, Chicago, Michael Fishbane and Joanna Weinberg, eds. 9–12 November 2011 Brepols, 2014 Midrash Unbound: Transformations and Innovation Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2013 Lucy K. Pick

Michael Fishbane Pilgrimage Cuidono Press, 2014 The JPS Bible Commentary: Song of Songs Jewish Publication Society, March, 2015 James T. Robinson

W. Clark Gilpin The Arabic Translation and Commentary of Yefet ben ‘Eli the Karaite on the Book of Joshua Religion around Emily Dickinson Brill, 2014 Penn State University Press, 2014 Jeffrey Stackert Kevin Hector A Prophet Like Moses: Prophecy, Law, and The Theological Project of Modernism: Faith and Israelite Religion the Conditions of Mineness Oxford University Press, 2014 Oxford University Press, August, 2015 Daniel Sulmasy and Joanne Schatzlein

Matthew Kapstein Francis the Leper: Faith, Medicine, Theology, and Science Tibetan Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction Tau Publishing, 2014 Oxford University Press, 2013 Daniel Sulmasy, et al., eds. Bruce Lincoln Safe Passage: A Global Spiritual Sourcebook Between History and Myth: Stories of Harald for Care at the End of Life Fairhair and the Founding of the State Oxford University Press, 2014 University of Chicago Press, 2014 Anthony C. Yu Bruce Lincoln The Journey to the West, 4 vols. Discourse and the Construction of Society: Comparative revised edition; University of Chicago Press, Studies of Myth, Ritual and Classification 2010-2013 [original 1983] 2nd edition; Oxford University Press, 2014 [original 1989] Brook Ziporyn Beyond Oneness and Difference: Li and Coherence in Chinese Buddhist Thought and Its Antecedents SUNY University Press, 2013

8 CIRCA

83511_Circa_a1.indd 8 7/6/15 1:35 PM Ministry Program Update

A Div School that Changes the World

In February, the Divinity School was once again named one of the “Seminaries that Change the World.” Honored now for the second year in a row, the Div School is recognized not only for its outstanding commitment to ministry and ELCA Campus Ministry at UW Madison after the study of public religion, but for its robust field education and community dinner and conversation by the lake. engagement programs.

Within the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree as both organizer and administrator, as the tour about the vocational pursuits of our graduates. program, contextual learning begins in the very now includes more schools and more New Faces The tour seeks to promote and learn from young first year. In tandem with the Introduction to the from around the country. “We’re excited to make adults through the lives of current seminary and Study of Ministry course, students examine the the Tour bigger and better this year,” said Erika. divinity students. Like their students, the divinity fine art of listening, conversation, and chaplaincy “Last year was a blast, travelling and talking with schools and seminaries that change the world within interfaith field sites on the South Side of all sorts of folks about why I went to the Div have their own characteristics, but are all working Chicago. Currently, students are engaged with the School, and how I see this kind of education toward thoughtful public engagement in Spiritual Care department at Jackson Park Hospital playing out not just in my future, but in the work communities’ religious life. and also with a team of volunteer chaplains at of these young adults and organizations.” “Lydia’s story is a compelling one.” Erika Cook County Jail. During their site visits, students This year, rising second-year Lydia Gajdel will said. “It’s unique, but connects with the other explore not only the skills of pastoral care, but represent the school as a New Face of Ministry. New Faces and the wider ethos of the Tour. also grapple with issues of poverty, health care, She will traverse the upper Midwest, visiting We’re really excited and pleased for her to incarceration, and social justice. places like volunteer corps houses in Milwaukee represent the Div School.” This first-year field-education sequence and campus ministries at UW Madison, and For more on the “Seminaries that change the introduces students to their rich and complex will also spend time in Oregon, Illinois, home world” program, visit http://stctw.faith3.org/. context of their learning for the next three years— to three faith-based camps—one of which is the South Side of Chicago. These field sites add to in a castle! During her travels, Lydia will also —Wesley Sun, Director of Field Education the classroom experience by providing an connect with recent Div School alums, helping to and Community Engagement and extended library, a research laboratory, a host of promote our Ministry Program and learning more Erika Dornfeld (MDiv’15) conversation partners and guides, as well as an opportunity to provide direct service through hands-on learning and training with ministry professionals. Their work with hospital patients, families, staff workers, jail detainees, guards, and social workers culminate in a better understanding of the nebulous field of “ministry”—a vocation and practice students are asked to define as they prepare for their second year of study. This first year sequence, combined with the Congregational Placement and Field Work requirements, and laid alongside such opportunities as the International Ministry Study Grant program, the Community Engagement Internship all contribute to the Divinity School being recognized as one of the “Seminaries that Change the World.” As a part of this group, the Div School is participating with a joint program called the New Faces of Ministry Tour. Each school selects an ambassador to both listen to young adults, and share about the ways in which theological education is engaging in service. Last year, recent alumna Erika Dornfeld travelled for three weeks visiting summer camps, colleges, service corps, and non-profit organizations. This year, she serves Midwest regional gathering of the Capuchin Franciscan (CAP) Volunteer Corps in Milwaukee.

For more on the “Seminaries that Change the World” program, visit stctw.faith3.org/

Ecumenical campus ministry, The Crossing, at UW Madison.

SPRING 2015 | 9

83511_Circa_a1.indd 9 7/6/15 1:35 PM Alumnus of the Year

Peter Iver Kaufman Named Divinity School Alumnus of the Year, 2016

Dean Margaret M. Mitchell has announced that, upon recommendation from the Divinity School’s Alumni Council, the Board of Trustees of the Baptist Theological Union has named Peter Iver Kaufman, (MA 1973, PhD 1975, History of Christianity) the Divinity School Alumnus of the Year for 2016.

Kaufman is George Matthews and Virginia and director of the Program in the Brinkley Modlin Professor of Leadership Study of Christianity and Culture. Studies in the Jepson School of Leadership During that time he won seven awards Studies at the University of Richmond, a for teaching excellence and, in 2002, position he has held since 2008. Previously he founded the Scholars Latino Initiative taught at the University of North Carolina at (SLI), which has chapters in North Chapel Hill, where he is Professor Emeritus. Carolina and two in the Shenandoah Dr. Kaufman’s scholarly work focuses on the Valley of Virginia. For twelve years political cultures of late antique, medieval, Kaufman taught early college classes in of charisma to others on leadership and and early modern Europe and North Africa; he the high schools and directed college Elizabethan culture. teaches leadership studies courses as well placement for undocumented youngsters. Professor Kaufman’s most recent book as advanced courses on political, cultural and His ninth book will appear later this year. is Religion Around Shakespeare (Penn State religious leaders in late antiquity and early The previous eight include Redeeming Politics University Press, 2013). This volume represents the modern Europe. (Princeton 1990) and Incorrectly Political: launch for a series of books, for which Kaufman is Of the award, Dean Mitchell said “Professor Augustine and Thomas More (University of Notre the general editor, on the ‘religion around’ major Peter Kaufman’s integration of scholarly work Dame, 2007). Over forty articles on authority, literary and cultural figures from Dante through and passion for social justice exemplify the religious conflict, and literary history have Bob Dylan. Also in 2013, at the University of highest values of the University of Chicago appeared in journals including The Journal of Richmond, he won both the Richmond College’s Divinity School. His work exploring the intersection Late Antiquity, Journal of Early Christian “Outstanding Teacher” award (nominated and of religion, culture, politics, leadership, and Studies, Harvard refereed by student colleagues) and the University’s educational systems and ideals from antiquity Theological Review, Distinguished Educator award (nominated and through the early modern period has led to Archiv für Reforma­ refereed by faculty colleagues). outstanding pedagogy and prolific, and tionsgeschichte, Journal influential research. In addition, Professor of the American Kaufman’s work to ensure access to education Academy of Religion, Alumnus of the Year Address for underrepresented minorities demonstrates Church History, and Kaufman will deliver the 2016 Alumnus a seasoned, mature, and reflective mind moved Journal of Religion. He of the Year address on April 21, 2016, by compassion.” has also co-edited two as well as the Dean’s Craft of Teaching Kaufman taught at Chapel Hill for thirty books and edited four, seminar for The Craft of Teaching in the years (1978–2008), and was the co-founder ranging from studies Academic Study of Religion Program.

Dean’s Letter

Continued from the front cover These texts have accompanied me on whether, when it comes to the New Testa- airplanes and elsewhere on my iPad these ment, there is anything new under the sun last five years, as I have snatched moments (John—and I!—have some views on that). to engage them, taught a seminar on them It has been my honor to represent the and gave a few conference papers on topics Divinity School faculty, students, staff and like the “hypocrisy” of Peter and Paul, and alumni as Dean these last five years, and I the relationship between the particular and thank you for the many ways in which you have the universal in interpretation of a text like supported me and your School in that time, in the Letter to the Romans. Now I return to ways that have moved and inspired me every them in earnest and with the kind of day. I am tremendously grateful. Please sustained and focused attention and continue to stay connected and involved in the precision that are so well characterized by life of this School that has a unique identity Kwong one of John’s favorite Greek terms, akribeia. and ethos and makes a critically important

Jasmine I am very lucky to have this opportunity, and contribution, not only in our lives, but on the I hope that via the translation volume John’s landscape of higher education in this country year’s research leave. Although I am a fascinating, pugnacious (at times), exagger- and internationally. To the Divinity School scholar of religion, my award was granted ated (at other times) and ingenious exegetical and its future! in the Guggenheim category of Translation, and rhetorical feats will become accessible to to complete a project long in the works broader audiences interested in the process to publish a text and translation volume of Christianization in the late antique cities of This Dean’s column was in press when of eighteen Greek homilies by John the east in the fourth century, to others who Professor Yu died after a short illness on Chrysostom on problem texts (or texts study the arts and fancies of biblical May 12 (please see page 5). We have he turns into problem texts) within the interpretation, and to others who wonder decided to print it as originally written. corpus Paulinum.

10 CIRCA

83511_Circa_a1.indd 10 7/6/15 1:35 PM The Martin Marty Center’s Religion and Culture Marty Web Forum continues to feature exciting new areas of research and theoretical thinking about religion, Center bringing together scholars from an array of academic disciplines for lively and informed conversation about the manifestations of News and religion in societies and cultures, past and present. Events Priorities and Possibilities at the Martin Marty Center

From 1996 to 1998, when plans were developing for the Divinity School’s Martin Marty Center, a broad consensus among faculty, students, alumni/ae, and friends supported a center that would fully engage scholarship in religion with both interdisciplinary conversations across the university and public conversations (sometimes heated) about the roles of religion in civic life. But, of course, this broad consensus is now nearly twenty years old. As interim director of the Marty Center for the 2014-15 academic year, I have puzzled over the priorities for the Marty Center’s future development. Even if we continue to agree on these initial premises, we still have the question of how to implement them appropriately today.

public conferences. But further thinking about innovative ways in which the Marty Center can assist students in discovering their inter­- disciplinary and public “voice” remains a crucial next step in the center’s development. This is an auspicious moment at the University of Chicago, for engaging in inter­ disciplinary and public conversations about religion. Research centers are proliferating across the humanities and social sciences, ranging from the well-established Franke Institute for the Humanities to the recently created Institute of Politics, and center directors have begun meeting together on a regular basis. Meanwhile, the university has decisively invested in funding and institutional support for interdisciplinary research that is in its initial stages. The Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society was created to expand the boundaries of humanistic inquiry beyond any single discipline or method, and it currently The contemporary university is not ordered priorities are reciprocally related to the supports more that thirty research projects led around a conceptual center that would readily surrounding culture, it behooves such a by University of Chicago faculty. Arete, the identify the Divinity School’s appropriate “situated” enterprise to understand itself by University’s “research accelerator,” is designed to dialogue partners in other disciplines. Creating thoughtfully engaging public interlocutors from launch innovative ideas in the early stages of the intersections at which productive inter­ other professions and social institutions. I would development, which have the potential to grow disciplinary dialogue may occur therefore say that it is only as a consequence of such into major new research programs. Similarly, the represents a whole series of decisions about the public dialogue that scholars are prepared to university’s Community Programs Accelerator Divinity School’s priorities for and judgments understand how their work may fruitfully interpret supports initiatives for innovative civic engage- about the contemporary study of religion. When public religion. This is, perhaps, especially the ment by students and faculty. As part of this the Marty Center sponsors a sequence of case in an era when the public presence of program, Divinity School student Demond conferences, designs an interdisciplinary seminar religion is provoking controversy and conflict Drummer has received support for “CoderSpace,” for dissertation writers, produces a web and when religions are so frequently misinter- a five-year plan to develop relations among publication such as Sightings, or collaborates preted by pundits and politicians. Chicago Public Schools, other coding programs, with another research center, it both reflects and These twin commitments to interdisciplinary college-level computer science departments, and shapes the school’s larger priorities. Indeed, one and public conversations about religion have technology companies, in order to build a broad might describe the Martin Marty Center as the significant implications for the ways in which base of “tech talent” throughout the city. Divinity School’s laboratory for experimentation the Martin Marty Center contributes to the Within this academic environment, the with various interdisciplinary perspectives on the education of students in the Divinity School’s Marty Center, as the Divinity School’s laboratory roles that religions play—sometimes for good and degree programs. As students proceed from the for experimentation with interdisciplinary and sometimes for ill—in society and culture. Divinity School to become teachers and public programs, has an ample field for The Marty Center’s commitment to engage in religious leaders, the capacity to speak clearly implementing the ideas and priorities of both public conversations about religion is integrally and persuasively to publics beyond their own faculty and students. related to its interdisciplinary commitments. The fields of special expertise will be indispensable topics and questions that scholars pursue do to their careers. Graduate students are currently – W. Clark Gilpin, Interim Director of the not arise in a vacuum. Instead, research tends to writing for Marty Center web publications, Martin Marty Center and Margaret E. Burton reflect the wider culture in which the researchers participating in interdisciplinary seminars, and Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus participate. Since scholarly assumptions and collaborating with faculty members in planning of the History of Christianity and Theology

SPRING 2015 | 11

83511_Circa_a1.indd 11 7/6/15 1:35 PM Featured Sightings: (Everywhere) Ferguson and the Socio-Religious Challenge of Hip Hop Culture

by James Samuel Logan This column ran on March 19, 2015

rising out of the 1970s Black/Brown youth-cultured streets of the South Bronx, Hip Hop has emerged to signify a religious and civic politics of human storytelling in the service of undoing deleterious police actions, whichA are visited upon Black and Brown communities in various ways each day, and resisted by protesters with cries of “Ferguson is everywhere.” Jeff Roberson / AP.

In times such as these, a time when J. Cole That the Hip Hop generation is currently mobilizes lament and protest with a Hip Hop tribute playing a prominent role against Black Death can to Michael Brown called, “Be Free”—a half century be seen when social media like Black Twitter after “We Shall Overcome” first hit the bloody (with hashtags like #iftheygunnedmedown and streets of civil unrest and democratic hope—the #blacklivesmatter) is employed to mobilize As the nation faces the anxiety and misery tragedy of Ferguson invites society to contemplate cross-racial and ethnic mass-coalitions of young not just of Ferguson but of Staten Island, what to make of the Hip Hop generation. people to the bloodstained streets of the nation. Oakland, Cleveland, Beavercreek and a wider Alongside traditional religious and civic Of course, the J. Cole who offers a Hip Hop New Jim Crow caste system, we must take up the institutions, Hip Hop provides Black communities tribute to Ferguson’s Michael Brown is the same J. challenge to experience and understand the with important resources for grappling with the Cole whose recent album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, salvific force of Hip Hop. killing of Michael Brown as well as with other contains the track “G.O.M.D.” (“Get off My Dick”), terrorizing deaths: Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell, a (too routine) rap summoning of phallic-male- Resources: Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, Akai Gurley, Renisha power to lyrical warfare undergirded with sexism, Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow: Mass McBride, Eric Garner, John Crawford III, Tamir Rice, homophobia and heterosexism. Incarceration the Age of Colorblindness. New and clouds of others, known and unknown. Indeed, increased, uncomfortable, and hopeful York: The New Press, 2010. Confronting too many Fergusons, Hip Hop companionship inside the world of (in particular) Brown, Ruth Nicole, and Kwakye, Chamara Jewel, affirms a radical pissed-off perusal of (hold-up, the youthful Black Hip Hop generation, who bear eds. Wish to Live: The Hip-Hop Feminism not-so-fast) social reconciliation in a manner the brunt of excessive policing, confinement and Pedagogy Reader. New York: Peter Lang, 2012. that loses a measure of civility while also death, signals a risk of faith that might require even Clay, Elonda. “Two turntables and a microphone: embracing justice and love as the first the most peace-loving citizens among us to get our Turntablism, ritual, and implicit religion.” In The condition and measure of human life. easy convictions about social reconciliation fucked Hip Hop and Religion Reader, edited by Monica In all of this, scholars of religion and hip up for the sake of human dignity. R. Miller and Anthony B. Pinn, 116-128. New hop like Monica R. Miller and Anthony B. Pinn Hip Hop artists offer an important, costly and York: Routledge, 2015. ask that we recognize and hear-well the often unsanitized embrace of Black subaltern Collins, Patricia Hill. From Black Power to Hip fundamental cultural role of rap artists: “otherness,” an embrace which cyphers problem- Hop: Racism, Nationalism, and Feminism. …rap artists are in fact modern day griots— atically-yet-hopefully toward justice and love in this Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2006. truth tellers and seekers who emulate and particular place and circumstance of time. Dyson, Michael Eric. Between God and Gangster borrow artists’ rhetorical and cultural Critics continuously and publically lift up Hip Rap: Bearing Witness to Black Culture. New York: practices that have been vital and endemic Hop’s shadow-side as its irredeemably profane Oxford University Press, 1996. to the maintenance of black life in the and damnable core, but when people of faith and Forman, Murray, and Neal, Mark Anthony, eds. diaspora and serve an important utility in reason contemplate Hip Hop as a religious That’s the Joint: The Hip-Hop Studies Reader. the continual reclamation of historical, resource for resistance against the Fergusons that Second Edition. New York: Routledge, 2012. social, political and cultural forces routinely diminish the nation, they should keep in Kitwana, Bakari. The Hip Hop Generation: Young that seek to threaten marginal groups. mind a cautionary Christian example offered in Blacks and the Crisis in African-American Culture. To the extent that so many young and Pinn’s essay, “Making a World with a Beat:” New York: Basic Civitas Books, 2002. not-so-young people now give their faith and The sexism expressed by Saint Paul and other Perry, Imani. Prophets of the Hood: Politics and fidelity to a Hip Hop way of life, Hip Hop reveals biblical figures and the homophobia that marks Poetics in Hip Hop. Durham, NC: Duke University its social function as a religion. It satisfies a both testaments have not resulted in a huge Press, 2004. basic human desire to belong to something that theological backlash requiring the destruction Pinn, Anthony B. “Making the World with a Beat: grounds self-identity and communal-life with of the Bible as a viable sacred text. The same Musical Expression’s Relationship to Religious ultimate meaning, value, purpose and direction. hermeneutic of multiple meanings may extend to Identity and Experience.” In The Hip Hop and And as is true of any religion (public or rap lyrics and their creators. This is not to say that Religion Reader, edited by Monica R. Miller and private as Jeffrey Stout rightly pointed out that these artists should not be accountable, or Anthony B. Pinn, 21-37. New York: Routledge, 2015. nearly a decade ago), Hip Hop has become should not be critiqued with regard to behavior Rose, Tricia. Black Noise: Rap Music and Black a phenomenon of “ever-changing mixtures and opinions. It simply means that we should Culture in Contemporary America. Middletown, of life-giving and malignant tendencies.” recognize the often problematic relationship CT: Wesleyan University Press, 1994. Even if one views the merits of “Hip Hop as between theological pronouncements and Watkins, Ralph Basui. Hip-Hop Redemption: religion” ridiculous, there is no doubt that Hip arguments, and practice that plagues the history Finding God in the Rhythm and the Rhyme. Grand Hop’s synchronistic embrace and employment of of religion in and outside hip-hop culture. Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011. traditional religious symbols—e.g. the Christian It is in this spirit that we are asked to cross, the Muslim call to prayer—myths—e.g. the encounter Hip Hop as Ferguson reminds us of James Samuel Logan (Ph.D. Princeton Theological Black man as god, the Five Percent Nation—and the violent “black tax” which so often remains Seminary) is Associate Professor of Religion rituals—e.g. symbolic and ritual naming like the price of the ticket to Black belonging in the and Associate Professor and Director of African Wise Intelligent, and turntablism as implicit United States of America. and African American Studies at Earlham religion—is ubiquitous in American life. As the nation faces the reality and memory College in Richmond, Indiana. Recent publica- Youthful activists of the Hip Hop generation of the tragedy at Ferguson—the latest symbol tions include Good Punishment? Christian insist on prominent roles in leading the of the monetary abuse, militarized policing, Moral Practice and U.S. Imprisonment struggle against the shadow of death visited disproportionate imprisonment and authorized (Eerdmans, 2008) and a collection of essays, upon (everywhere) Ferguson. This reality will, killing of Black bodies—academia and the wider co-edited with Marcia Riggs, Ethics That no doubt, be difficult for some seasoned public no longer have the option but to take Matters: African, Caribbean, and African-American organizers and activists of an older generation. seriously the importance of Hip Hop culture. Sources (Fortress, 2012). @JloganSamuel

12 CIRCA

83511_Circa_a2.indd 12 7/6/15 5:34 PM Giving Day #24HourImpact

These pictures were posted on Facebook and Twitter during the University’s first ever Giving Day. Faculty and students were encouraged to post pictures of themselves on social media to spread the word. Because of their efforts, over $11,000 was raised to support this summer’s renovations to the coffee shop. Join us on Facebook and Twitter to see what else is going on at the Divinity School!

Religion and Culture Web Forum

The Religion and Culture Web Forum is a space November 2014 Learning to Be Muslim— for scholars and members of the public to Transnationally by Louise Cainkar (Marquette engage in sustained, principled engagement University) with the topic of religion in its many mani­ festations. This year the Web Forum published January 2015 A Conversation between Andrew the work of esteemed thinkers, junior scholars, Durdin and Brent Nongbri on Brent Nongbri’s and advanced graduate students. We experi- Before Religion mented with new forms of media, including video and podcasts, and shared the inaugural Banned Books, Recognition episode of our new interview series, Playing February 2015 Narratives, and the CIA: A Conversation with with Fire. As the spring quarter comes to a close Professor Wendy Doniger (University of we look forward to future opportunities to Chicago) (Playing with Fire Series) participate in the vibrant conversation about religion and public life. March/April 2015 On Islam and the Events at Charlie Hebdo: An Exchange between Jean-Luc Marion, September 2014 The Oprahfiction of Rob Bell?: Bruce Lincoln and Anthony Yu, Matthew Kapstein, The Question of Desire, Resistance, and the and Françoise Meltzer (University of Chicago) Megachurch Culture of Celebrity by James K. Wellman (University of Washington) with —Emily D. Crews, responses by Jon Pahl (The Lutheran Theologi- Managing Editor cal Seminary at Philadephia) and Justin Tse (University of Washington)

October 2014 Antisemitism, Anti-Catholicism, Join the conversation and Anticlericalism by Alexander (Ari) Joskowicz (Vandebilt University) with responses by The Web Forum welcomes contributions from Gil Anidjar (Columbia University) and Thomas established scholars; please send inquiries Kselman (University of Notre Dame) to [email protected]

SPRING 2015 | 13

83511_Circa_a1.indd 13 7/6/15 1:35 PM medieval church in France, and a Fourteenth- Sightings Century Japanese scroll that features a Buddhist Arhat meditating with his two helpers. Overall, Sightings continued to take notice uring the 2014–15 academic year, Sightings continued to “sight” or of religion’s role for good or for ill. It analyzed report on religion in public life each Monday and Thursday, reaching political correctness and its impact on female genital mutilation, blasphemy in Hinduism and nearly 5000 email subscribers. In line with our tradition, Monday’s censorship in India, the abuse of authority by DSightings were devoted to the ever-popular Martin Marty. To provide his unique Orthodox rabbis overseeing conversions by commentary Prof. Marty drew on his decades of engagement with religion women, ethical issues related to overseas mission trips by high school students, the role in the US, his frequent invitations to participate in scholarly conferences and of religion in choosing Nigeria’s president, commemorative events (such as this year’s fiftieth anniversary of the march tensions between Jewish women who wish to pray at the Western wall in Jerusalem and on Selma), and his various, wide-ranging reading. Orthodox Jews who wish to ban them, the Thursday’s Sightings featured essays written by And that conversation continued outside church’s involvement in climate change and in scholars of religion from institutions across the the pages of Sightings—notably between the right to water, the critical role of Historically globe. These contributors included, among others, Bruce Lincoln and Françoise Meltzer. The entire Black Colleges and Universities, hip hop culture University of Chicago PhD alums as well as faculty set of exchanges both within and outside of and its attention to social justice issues, the and doctoral candidates. Sightings authors Sightings, were gathered into a single feature causes of growing evangelical support for focused religion as it touched lives in the US and in in the March/April Religion and Culture Web LGBTQ+ rights, and more. places like Argentina, Honduras, Israel, Syria, Forum. The three separate Sightings pieces are Sightings also explored issues important to South Korea, Germany, France, India, Nigeria, and also available in Sightings’ archive on the identity groups, especially in the US—in the Vatican. They showed a commendable Marty Center’s website. particular new ways to interpret Jesus’ parables willingness to step outside of their usual academic Another installment to this exchange is reveal anti-Jewish stereotypes, Michael circles to share their expertise in essays that aimed forthcoming—a fourth issue is scheduled to Walzer’s notion of “connected criticism” and its at a broad readership. Moreover, since Sightings feature Geoffrey Stone, Edward H. Levi Distin- relationship to American exceptionalism, the does not remunerate authors, these contributors guished Service Professor of Law. Addressing failure of Pope Francis’ popularity to staunch made their hard-earned learning available freedom of expression in the US, Stone the outflow of young Catholics, helpful ways to pro bono to foster nuanced and informed first offered his remarks in March at a University teach Catholicism in Catholic universities when conversations about religion. of Chicago event featuring Charlie Hebdo the majority of students aren’t Catholic, points New for Sightings was the way in which it journalist, Zineb El Razoui. in common between today’s football games served as a platform for conversation on several Many readers have indicated they value this and gladiatorial combat in the early days of the flashpoint issues such as the rapid rise of ISIS in multi-issue focus, so Sightings will look for Christian church, tithing “in reverse” by cash-rich parts of the middle east, the “Charlie Hebdo” other opportunities to host such conversations. churches, and the continuing popularity of massacre in Paris, and Israel’s handling of access To facilitate dialogue, a new comment policy Christmas-themed music, movies, and plays as to sacred sites. In this role, Sightings enabled has been instituted, which enables readers to proof that Christmas remains alive and well. respectful disagreement and well-defended request that their comments on given articles Nor was Sightings shy about touching upon argument. Dialogue about the “Charlie Hebdo” be archived on the Marty Center’s website. lighter subjects, exploring pro-football’s massacre involved five University of Chicago Until recently, comments, many of which were Deflategate, the Easter-music origin of Handel’s faculty members and spanned issues. The thoughtful and thought-provoking, were only Messiah, and how we take for granted the work conversation began with a translated piece written visible to the editor. The new policy went into machines do for us. by Jean-Luc Marion in French for Le Point shortly effect in early April. Subscribe and read archived articles at after the massacre. A spirited reply penned by This year, Sightings is experimenting with divinity.edu/sightings. Anthony Yu and Bruce Lincoln appeared in a partnership arrangements. So far, pieces have second Sightings. A counter-point offered by featured Smart Museum of Art holdings with —Myriam Renaud, Matthew Kapstein was published in a third. religious content—architectural artifacts from a Managing Editor

News and Notes

Walker and Palmer-Bostick Barbara will manage the Annual Fund, coordi- He brings to Swift nate our stewardship activities, and assist in Hall extensive Join Staff communications with alumni, including the experience working Alumni Council, among other duties related to with alumni, friends, Barbara Palmer-Bostick has joined the Divinity our comprehensive development efforts. and affinity groups School as the Assistant Director of Development. Barbara works closely with Linda Lyles to build external Barbara earned her bachelor’s degree in Aldridge, Assistant to the Director of Development, relationships. He has life sciences at Guilford College in Greensboro, and Dale Walker (PhD’98), who returned to Swift also maintained North Carolina. She comes to us from The Hall last year as the Divinity School’s fifth Director activity as a scholar Regenstein Library, of Development and Alumni Relations. through adjunct where she has been Dr. Walker wrote his dissertation on 2 teaching at a number an Associate in the Corinthians 10—13 under the direction of Prof. of institutions Development Office Hans Dieter Betz, which Mohr/Siebeck published. throughout Chicago for the last ten years. After completing his doctoral studies, Dr. and at the University In 2007, the University Walker began his career in academic develop- of Wyoming, service Office of Alumni Rela- ment, starting in the University of Chicago on committees in the Society of Biblical tions and Development Library. Next he became the Director of Literature, and, most recently, the publication recognized her Development for the College of Arts and of Beyond the Obvious: Doorways to contributions with the Sciences at the University of Wyoming, followed Understanding the New Testament (Anselm Frederick T. Gates by work as a major gifts officer for the Institute Academic, 2014), which offers seven essays Outstanding of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology. to introduce readers to the New Testament. Performance Award. Both schools received multi-million dollar gifts Dr. Walker is thrilled to return to the In addition to through his leadership, resulting in a building Divinity School. data management, and endowed support for faculty and students.

14 CIRCA

83511_Circa_a1.indd 14 7/6/15 1:35 PM DONOR NEWS

$1.5M Gift Creates Daniel T. Carroll Fellowship engagements, his most lengthy was as a member of the Divinity School Visiting Committee, on which he served from 1986 to 2006. gift of $1,500,000 from Julie (Virgo) Noolan (AM’68, PHD’74, MBA’83) Dr. Noolan met Mr. Carroll on a whirlwind trip will endow the Daniel T. Carroll Fellowship at the University of Chicago to Boca Raton with mutual friends. They soon Divinity School, a legacy that honors her late husband’s life, accomplishments, realized they had found their soul mates and shared thirty-two wonderful years together. When andA commitments. Mr. Carroll launched The Carroll Group in 1982, Dr. Noolan was an organization and management years in Chicago, until he became CEO of Dr. Noolan partnered with him in that enterprise. consultant, author, and teacher, with expertise Hoover Universal, Inc., in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They worked together until his sudden death. in strategic planning, management and board Mr. Carroll later returned to his first love, Through emails at first and then in memorial assessment and development, and financial consulting, creating his own firm, The Carroll services for Mr. Carroll in Vail and Burlington accountability. Prior to international management Group, with several colleagues. In 1994 he family and friends from around the world consulting, she was a librarian in Australia, later relocated to Vail, Colorado, to enjoy mountain expressed their tributes. His son described working in association management as the living, while continuing to serve on corporate Mr. Carroll as a “parent, mentor, hero, friend,” Executive Director of the Association of College Boards. As noted in one of his obituaries, Mr. a co-worker as a “remarkable man and a and Research Libraries before joining The Carroll Carroll was “a legend in the fields of management great role model.” People recalled many Group. She was an adjunct lecturer in the consulting, corporate executive leadership and outstanding qualities, and a number were Graduate Library School at the University of corporate governance.” He published a number of repeated often, among them integrity, courage, Chicago for almost twenty years and then as a articles on management in distinguished journals loyalty, creativity, humility, kindness, and professorial lecturer in the Graduate School of (including Harvard Business Review) and was charisma. With their expressions of affection Public Affairs at American University for fifteen finishing a book on corporate board stewardship and admiration, however, people were just as years. During that time she also served on eleven when he passed away in 2007. quick to note the love he and Dr. Noolan national and international Boards including the Mr. Carroll shared his leadership and shared. One of Mr. Carroll’s colleagues International Plant Genetic Resources Institute management expertise with many organizations. observed “how Dan lit up with delight when (Rome, Italy) and the International Center for He served on boards for the University of talking about his beloved Julie.” Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (Aleppo, Syria). Chicago Divinity School, Bexley Hall Episcopal In creating the Daniel T. Carroll Fellowship, She served as President of the American Society Seminary (OH), Union Theological Seminary Dr. Noolan sought to celebrate Mr. Carroll’s life of Information Science and Chair of the Board of (NY), the Tuck School at Dartmouth College, and values. The Fellowship reflects his interest the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science. the Chicago Urban League, and many more in education, the study of religion, and Mr. Carroll, was born in 1926 in Illinois, the non-profits. Early on President Johnson tapped relationship to the Divinity School, while also son of high school sports coach who became Mr. Carroll to provide advice about the creation promoting social justice, for which he was a professor and ultimately rose to Chair of the of the White House Fellows program. Mr. Carroll a consistent champion. The Daniel T. Carroll Political Science Department at the University also provided leadership on nearly two dozen Fellowship will provide access to a Divinity of Vermont, Burlington, where Dan grew up. Mr. corporate boards, firms like Aon, Wolverine School education for those for whom it would Carroll shared his father’s intellectual curiosity Worldwide, American Woodmark, Flying Food be impossible without such a generous and was pursuing doctoral studies at the Group, Oshkosh Truck Corporation, and Diebold. scholarship; the Carroll Fellowship will help University of Chicago in social psychology and Colleagues valued the preparation, creative level the playing field for them through the political science (1948–50) when interest in insights and courage he brought to board pursuit of education. management redirected his career. After four meetings. Aon has recognized Mr. Carroll’s The Divinity School is honored to recognize years with the Navy as a management engineer, service with a gift to the Divinity School its longstanding relationship with Mr. Carroll Mr. Carroll joined Booz Allen & Hamilton, where of $450,000, which will begin funding a full and to steward his distinguished legacy he worked from 1954 to 1972. Apart from five fellowship in Fall 2015. Of all Mr. Carroll’s through the Daniel T. Carroll Fellowship. years as managing partner in Cleveland, Mr. Carroll worked in the Chicago office, rising to President of the Management Consulting Division. A move into corporate leadership at Gould, Inc., kept Mr. Carroll another eight divinity.uchicago.edu

SPRING 2015 | 15

83511_Circa_a1.indd 15 7/6/15 1:35 PM Swift Hall 1025 East 58th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637

Go Green! Circa is also available online as a PDF document, find us on which you can download to your desktop. You can read current and past issues of Circa by visiting http://divinity.uchicago.edu/circa.

Please help us improve our communication with you. Update your email address at http://divinity.uchicago.edu/alumni-and-friends.

DIVINITY SCHOOL ALUMNI: SAVE 50% ON A ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION

THE JOURNAL OF RELIGION Editors: Richard Rosengarten and James Robinson

The Journal of Religion seeks to promote critical, hermeneutical, historical, and constructive inquiry into religion. The journal publishes articles in theology, religious ethics, and philosophy of religion, as well as articles that approach the role of religion in culture and society from a historical, sociological, psychological, linguistic, or artistic standpoint. It also publishes highly specialized research in limited areas of inquiry that has signi cance for a wider readership.

www.journals.uchicago.edu/JR $48 $24

HISTORY OF RELIGIONS Editors: Wendy Doniger, Matthew Kapstein, and Christian K. Wedemeyer

For nearly fty years, History of Religions has set the standard for the study of religious phenomena from prehistory to modern times. The journal publishes fresh and insightful scholarship that is engaged with particular traditions, places, and times and also speaks to broader methodological and/or theoretical issues in the study of religion. It encourages critical conversations in the eld with review articles and comprehensive book reviews by distinguished scholars.

www.journals.uchicago.edu/HR $60 $30 Use promo code ‘religion15’ at checkout

83511_Circa_a1.indd 16 7/6/15 1:35 PM