Reading groups in key theological figures: Slavoj Žižek
I am keen to lead some reading groups dedicated to introducing and exploring the work of key theorists who are contributing important insights into Christianity. These courses would involve reading both secondary and primary material. I would introduce the evening and guide the discussion to ensure that we get the most out of what we are reading. Each course would come with the tag ‘beginner’, ‘intermediary’ and ‘advanced’.
While the advanced classes will be very difficult for people not familiar with theology this does not mean they would be of no use. Often we learn most by placing ourselves in an educational context that is currently beyond us. When I started studying theology and philosophy I was twenty-two and had no proper educational background. But I attended all the philosophy conferences and theology symposiums I could. For a couple of years I understood virtually none of what I heard. But eventually, like one of those Magic Eye pictures, it all began to become clear.
To kick things off I am wanting to run an advance reading group in Belfast over the summer exploring the work of dialectic materialist theologian Slavoj Žižek. Žižek blends a provocative mix of Lacan, Hegel and Marx in his theological project and comes to some fascinating insights. This will be a five week course in which we shall read two secondary sources and two primary sources.
If you would be interested in attending this reading group please email me here.
In the future I am keen to run courses on (to name but a few),
John Caputo
Terry Eagleton
John Milbank
Dietrich Bonheoffer
Tags: Dietrich Bonheoffer, John Caputo, John Milbank, Peter Rollins, Slavoj Žižek, Terry Eagleton
June 21st, 2009 at 7:34 am
I wish i could follow via internet video cam conference
June 21st, 2009 at 8:02 am
It sounds like a great group and I wish I could be there. I’ve been dipping my toe into the Zizek water recently (Violence) but I feel I only barely have a piece of that puzzle you are talking about. I feel I would have to do a lot of reading and exploration and then go back to this book to feel comforatable grasping it. I’d be interested to follow your reading list.
I married into a family of Irish background but unfortunately it won’t get me to Belfast! Have fun with that group. Let us hear how you go. Cheers.
June 21st, 2009 at 8:10 am
Belfast is little far for me. Would/could you make the reading list avadable online & maybe podecast the session. That would be v cool;)
June 21st, 2009 at 8:17 am
[...] Reading with Rollins June 21, 2009 Belfast based writer and Theologian Pete Rollins is offering to run reading groups on some of the key figures who are contributing to deep dialogue on issues of Christian theology, [...]
June 21st, 2009 at 9:05 am
This would be so much fun… But alas, I too am constrained by distance.
June 21st, 2009 at 9:45 am
Are their women on your forthcoming lists?
Sorry I can’t be there
June 21st, 2009 at 10:26 am
Pete, I second the podcast and reading list option for those of us who live on the other side of the pond!
June 21st, 2009 at 11:13 am
Peter! Ryan here, in Hollywood, California. I wanted to add my interest in a podcast of the conversation so those of us at a great distance could keep up with you. I’m doing something similiar with my network with a very simple book by Caputo this summer.
June 21st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Okay, come on Pete. Are you getting the hint through all of these replies. Alot of us would love to take part in this but we are too far away. Can you get some internet thing going or at least recording them and putting them online (I would actually pay for this, lol). I would love to learn more about Zizek and Lacanian Psychoanalysis and their influence on Christian thought.
Peace
June 21st, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Podcasting would be great as well as online distribution of whatever handouts/notes you might prepare. We are a demanding bunch – but I am sure that some of us would be willing to pay a bit of tuition for the podcast/notes.
June 21st, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Pete, Jesse from Amish country, Pennsylvania. I would also love to see a podcast or book list option for this. Great Idea! Wish I lived in closer proximity.
On another note, I look forward to meeting you at Poets, Prophets and Preachers in July.
Shalom.
June 21st, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Yeah, its beginning to get through… recordings would be good. Will give it a go and see how it works for you all (just bought a good quality mic for my mac so this will allow me to test it properly). I am very excited about these reading groups!
In terms of woman I was aware that the list so far is all male. I would be very keen to do Marcella Althaus-Reid. Then there is Julia Kristeva.
June 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Have you any ideas as to exactly when the first reading group would take place? I’m in Cork & am moving out of the country late August (and am abroad at various points between now and then) but if I were around & it were possible I’d consider making my way up North for one of these.
June 21st, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I’m from Ballymena, but it just seems a little too far. Can you send me some notes?
Will Rachel Stevenson be on your list?
June 21st, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Would like to add my name to the list of those very interested but too far away to come!
June 21st, 2009 at 5:53 pm
A video podcast would be awesome too! Ever purchase a video camera?
June 21st, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I also want to participate but live far away in another land. Would love the reading list, syllabus, podcasts, perhaps some interactive method? Why must a reading group be constrained by geography when reading and conversation aren’t?
Would love to see you do a Girardian reading group some time.
June 21st, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Please! Please! Please! publish this on the internet. It would be great if you could start an online discussion forum to go along with the live discussions?
June 21st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Peter,
I attempted an email reply and received a delivery error. I too would be glad for the podcast/other format for those of us on this (US) side of the pond.
Peace.
Todd
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:09 am
Hey Pete
Can you e-mail me over the dates of the proposed course? Im pretty busy over the summer with youthwork stuff but would be keen to get involved! I was chatting with a friend of yours the other day and wanted to see if we could catch up ….. I’m starting a Master’s in emerging church in September so was keen to hear from you and your thoughts on a few things ….. Pete W
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:29 am
I would echo what others have said, desiring to participate but unable to journey to Ireland. A web-based reading group would be fantastic. I am just getting ready to read “The Monstrosity of Christ” co-authored by Zizek and Milbank. I’m in!
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I wouldn’t mind if Cologne would lie in Northern Ireland. But as it doesn’t I would look forward to an online version, too!
For beginners or advanced-interested beginners…
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:36 am
I too are very keen. Have been reading Zizek,and Caputo due to your own writing contact and ideas. As distance is a common problem, a way of joining discussion or “looking on” would be great. JohnT
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
Is Slavoj Žižek a Theologian?…
Perhaps even asking the question renders meaningless the idea of a post-secular age. Now it is no longer the theologians versus the secular liberals, nor is it merely a question of secularist making room for religion. We can’t merely designate……
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
[...] is a really interesting post over at the Church Postmodern Culture blog contesting Peter Rollins’s claim that Slavoj Žižek is a “dialectical materialist theologian.” Geoffrey Holsclaw [...]
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Really wish I was in Belfast rather than Los Angeles
June 24th, 2009 at 10:15 am
I’m so glad to hear you’re considering podcasts/reading lists/ etc.! I had the same thought as the many others who posted ahead of me. Alabama is just a bit too much of a commute.
June 24th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Am in western Canada. So if this can be done by podcasts or youtube or whatever net function… sign me up. And I can probably drag a small handful of others in as well.
June 25th, 2009 at 7:36 am
[...] to what can only be described as an enormous amount of jealousy regarding Peter Rollins’ Theology Reading group – Blake Huggins and I have been talking about putting together an online reading group [...]
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
[...] conversation has been sparked recently by Peter Rollins’ desire to form a reading group “dedicated to introducing and exploring the work of key theorists who [...]
July 4th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I would also like to thank you for (and echo) your words about ‘placing ourselves in an educational context that is currently beyond us’ …. it’s the way I have always learned but have never really seen anyone express it quite that way. At the age of 58 I’m about to start on trying to master an entire discipline about which I know very little, so relishing that challenge again ….
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:13 am
[...] have recentled worked out dates for the Žižek reading group. My email has been out of action for a couple of weeks, and may be down for another few days so the [...]