Cfp: "A Secular Age: Tracing the Contours of Religion and Belief," Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin, Ireland, June 8-11, 2009.

Plenary speakers include: Professor Ruth Abbey (University of Notre Dame, USA) Professor Eamonn Conway (Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, Ireland) Professor Michael Conway (Pontifical University of Maynooth, Ireland) Professor Michael Cronin (Dublin City University, Ireland) Dr. Conor Cunningham (University of Nottingham, UK) Dr. Joseph Dunne (St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin City University, Ireland) Professor Michael Paul Gallagher (Gregorian University, Rome) Dr. Padraig Hogan (National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland) Professor Gregor McLennan (University of Bristol, UK) Professor Roland Robertson (University of Aberdeen, UK) Dr. Fainche Ryan (Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin City University, Ireland) The conference will explore the way in which theology and philosophy, when placed in dialogue with the social sciences, can reinvigorate public discourse. Suggested themes for papers include, but are not restricted to: Assessment of Charles Taylor's A Secular Age; The relationship between religion, belief and modernity: a critical assessment; The role of theology and philosophy in the public square; The decline of the appeal to an objective moral order and the rise of the human rights culture; Moral sources and diverse contexts today. We welcome the submission of papers by those who are currently engaged in research in this area. Papers will be presented at the parallel sessions and speakers will be allotted approximately 20 minutes presentation time followed by a 10 minute question and answer session. Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and should be prepared for blind review (please provide a separate cover sheet with your name, contact details, institutional affiliation, and level of study, i.e. graduate student or faculty member). Please do not include any personal details on the main document. Abstracts should be submitted electronically (Microsoft Word or PDF format) to: mary.kennedy@materdei.dcu.ie. The deadline for submission of abstracts is: Monday 6th April, 2009. For further information, please contact Ms. Mary Shanahan, conference organiser, at: mary.kennedy@materdei.dcu.ie or visit www.materdei.ie.