Institute for Communication and Religion

CORECast: Julian of Norwich's 'Showings'

Today we have with us Dr. Erin Zoutendam and her student, Tristan Nguyen. Dr. Zoutendam is a historian of Christian spirituality, with a focus on  mysticism, prayer, and biblical interpretation. She recently was awarded Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise, by the University of Heidelberg.

Dr. Zoutendam and Tristan are here to discuss Julian of Norwich's Showings.

CORECast: Refugees, Religion, and Politics

Today we have with us Dr. Roger Alfani and his student, Billy Austin. Dr. Alfani is a Peace and Religion expert, author of the book “Religious Peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” which was described as groundbreaking and that it “gives a voice to religious peace activists who are usually voiceless in both the media and academic circles.” Alfani’s current research projects explore the nexus between religion and foreign policy, and the relation between religion, resilience, and refugees. We are very lucky to have him teach here, in our Core.

He is currently teaching a “Refugees, Religion, and Politics” Core 3 course, in which Billy Austin is a student. Billy Austin is a Junior in Political Science, an honor student, and an awarded mock trial competitor with the goal to be a criminal law expert.

Contemplative Community Week: Meditation and Sound

Join Dr. Jon Radwan and Dr. Jason Tramm as they discuss mindful listening and the concept of Nada Brahma in celebration of Contemplative Community Week. 

Contemplating Beauty in Music: Listening with Pan and Apollo

Listen as Dr. Jon Radwan and Dr. Gloria Thurmond reflect on beauty in diverse forms of music. Dr. Radwan opens with an interpretation of Ovid’s myth on musical victory, and Dr. Thurmond presents three musical examples.  Listen as each piece helps us feel and contemplate spiritual beauty in its own way.  Headphones are recommended.

Pope Francis’ Letter “On the Role of Literature in Formation”

Listen as Seton Hall University faculty discuss Pope Francis’ recent letter “On the Role of Literature in Formation.”  Jon Radwan, Director of the Institute for Communication and Religion, is joined by Theology professor Eric Johnston and CORE Director Nancy Enright to underscore the importance of arts and literature in education and spiritual development.

CORECast: Thomas Merton's ‘Learning to Live’

This episode features student Ashlyn James, a 2024 Seton Hall graduate, and Dr. Chad Thralls, a Teaching Fellow in the University Core. It is hosted by Bernie Wagenblast, a Seton Hall Communication alum. Together they will explore Thomas Merton's essay "Learning to Live."

Music: Global Doorway to the Sacred - A History of Music

In this series, Seton Hall University's Dr. Gloria Thurmond explores the connection between music and the experience of the Sacred within the context of diverse global religious traditions.

This episode features a discussion of the parallel histories of secular and religious music, and how each inspires experiences of the holy. Thurmond explores how secular music and religious music influenced each other, and how both are used to communicate ideas and initiate encounters with the sacred.

"Whether religious or secular, music is a universal language of transformation and transcendence." - Dr. Thurmond

Music: Global Doorway to the Sacred - Hindu Tradition

In this series, Seton Hall University's Dr. Gloria Thurmond explores the connection between music and the experience of the Sacred within the context of diverse global religious traditions.

This episode features discussion of Hindu religious music. Thurmond compares devotional music and literature in the Hindu Vedic tradition and the early Judeo-Christian community.

"Whether religious or secular, music is a universal language of transformation and transcendence." - Dr. Thurmond

CORECast: Perpetua

CORECast features professors and students discussing religious and philosophical texts from Seton Hall University’s core classes with the goal of introducing these books to a general audience of non-expert beginners.

This episode features student Frank Hunter, graduate student and teacher of Latin, and Dr. Nancy Enright, Professor of English and Director of the University Core. It is hosted by Bernie Wagenblast, a Seton Hall Communication alum. Together they will explore the writings of Perpetua.

The Wisdom and Practices of Mother Theresa

Dr. Katherine Hinic presents "The Wisdom and Practices of Mother Theresa" from Seton Hall's Inciting Peace from the Inside Out workshop (2/7/23).

Inciting Peace from the Inside Out was an inter-disciplinary workshop on contemplative peacemaking, exploring the contemplative practices behind some of history's greatest thinkers and how we might apply their lessons to our own selves and communities.  Video footage of the workshop can be found on YouTube, here.