Texas A&M-Central Texas to Host “Religion in Southeast Asia: Buddhism and Islam” Workshop
Texas A&M University-Central Texas will provide a venue for a workshop titled “Religion in Southeast Asia: Buddhism and Islam,” aimed at exploring the intersection of ancient religious traditions with contemporary societal challenges, on April 10 in the Bill Yowell Conference Room, starting at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The event is put on by the Asian Studies Development Program (ASDP) which is hosting events throughout the country. The ASDP exists to enhance undergraduate teaching and learning about Asian cultures and societies.
The workshop will commence with Dr. Anne Blackburn from Cornell University presenting “Local Projects in Regional Perspective: Politics, Buddhism, and Trade Across the Indian Ocean” from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., exploring the history between Buddhism and trade, and how religious practices have been influenced by economic exchanges across the Indian Ocean.
Following this, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Dr. Nelly van Doorn-Harder of Wake Forest University will discuss “Youth Culture in Islamic Southeast Asia,” examining how youth in Southeast Asia navigate their identities amidst the pressures of globalization and technological advancement.
The day will conclude with a session from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. by Dr. Peter Hershock of the East-West Center, titled “AI, Attention, and Autonomy: Some Buddhist Reflections,” exploring the ethical implications of artificial intelligence from a Buddhist perspective and addressing concerns about human autonomy and the nature of attention in an increasingly automated world.
For more information and to register, contact Dr. Christine Jones, Associate Professor of Anthropology, at bioarchjones@tamuct.edu.