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Colloquium On Violence & Religion

Bulletin

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COV&R-Bulletin No. 1 (Sept. 1991)

The rationale for and goals of "The Bulletin of the Colloquium on Violence & Religion"

Both interest in René Girard's theory and coming to terms with it have markedly increased in recent years. In an everincreasing number of places worldwide, scholars have begun to occupy themselves with Girard's theory. This growing interest in his theory is also to be noted in the academic disciplines where Girard's hypothesis has found a hearing. This spread of the academic discussion of Girard's theory beyond geographic, linguistic and disciplinary boundaries makes an overview of such developments ever more difficult to attain. The literature alone which has arisen in response to his theory can no longer be mastered by any single scholar. Ever more frequently, important publications which have appeared or are appearing come to one's attention by pure chance through personal contacts. This situation makes both understandable and necessary a forum for and an organ of improved communication. Contacts can then be established between scholars interested in Girard's theory, thereby improving the flow of information.

One year ago, an academic forum ("The Colloquium on Violence & Religion") was founded in the U.S.A. This Forum has as its primary goal the further development, critical appraisal, and application of Girard's theory in regards to the relationship between religion and violence. "To explore, criticize, and develop the mimetic model of the relationship between violence and religion in the genesis and maintenance of culture. The Colloquium will be concerned with questions of both research and application. Scholars from various fields and diverse theoretical orientations will be encouraged to participate both in the conferences and the publications sponsored by the Colloquium, but the focus of activity will be the relevance of the mimetic model for the study of religion." (Art. II of the COV&R constitution) While this Forum is to be, in principle, open to all scholars of even the most diverse academic disciplines, it will nevertheless find its focal point within the domain of the disciplines of religious studies and theology. One of the goals of this Forum is to expedite the greatly needed communication between scholars of the most diverse disciplines who are interested in Girard's theory. In addition to regularly scheduled meetings, the Bulletin itself ("The Bulletin of the Colloquium on Violence & Religion") will appear twice yearly.

What will be the content of this Bulletin?

1) First of all, information about literature concerning the theory of Girard will be made available in the following ways:

* An ongoing bibliography of the literature, which has to do with the theory of René Girard (presentations, criticisms, applications, and further developments).

[This bibliography will be at the same time stored in a data bank of the School of Theology of the University of Innsbruck. This data bank will soon be made "accessible on-line."]

* Reviews of significant books and articles (maximum length: 2-3 pages).

* Abstracts concerning significant books and articles (maximum length: 1/2 page).

* Brief references to recently published books with the publisher's address (This should make ordering such books more convenient).

2) In addition to information about the literature, information about and from significant meetings and symposia will also be offerred:

* References and invitations to meetings and symposia.

* Call for papers.

* Brief summaries of oral reports (maximum length: 2-3 pages).

* Abstracts of orals reports held at meetings and symposia.

* Address lists of participants.

How should such information be gathered for "The Bulletin of the COV&R"?

In order that "The Bulletin of the Colloquium on Violence & Religion" can effectively establish a flow of information between scholars of diverse academic disciplines, this information will have to be gathered together. All interested readers of the Bulletin are thus requested to send information concerning all relevant literature and meetings to the editorial office of the Bulletin. All contributions should be, if possible, written in English.

How can one subscribe to "The Bulletin of the Colloquium on Violence & Religion"?

"The Bulletin of the Colloquium on Violence & Religion" is the internal organ of communication of "The Colloquium on Violence & Religion" and will be sent to its members free of charge. Membership ($30.00 annual fee; $15.00 for matriculated students) can be obtained by filling out the form on p. 11 and sending a check or money order to:

COV&R

c/o P.O. Box 925

Sonoma CA 95476

USA

European colleagues should return their membership forms and send a check or money order to:

COV&R

c/o Institut für Dogmatik

Karl-Rahner-Platz 3

A-6020 Innsbruck

Austria

Konto Nr.: 850-184-365 (Österreichische Länderbank BLZ 12850)

For further information about COV&R write to:

James G. Williams.

Wolfgang Palaver - James G. Williams