Trinity Western Post

Mon Feb 11 15:54:16 EST 2013

Hello colleagues, 

It's been interesting to follow the thread about Trinity Western though I doubt that they were looking for this kind of exposure in the job list. Still, this situation has presented some opportunities for dialogue. I'd like to throw in my two cents. So you know, I teach at a university not dissimilar to TWU. 

I've been teaching at Redeemer University College for about 26 years now, and have a great interest in how we speak to both students and one another, about personal faith and theatre making because they do relate, and illuminate, one another. I have taught both students of a similar faith to my own, as well as students who have not identified a faith tradition, and have found the conversation, always, to be fruitful and engaging. Wherever I go, and whoever I talk with about theatre making, I have found that faith is not a requirement for the conversation to begin, but it will certainly come into play when the conversation deepens and the work gets serious. I would love to talk about how deeply clown work has affected my faith perspective, for example, but that conversation is for another time. For me faith is the point of view from which one can see the grandeur of the landscape -- whether it is lush and beautiful or bleak and dreary. I move forward from there to see what will happen. That's been my experience anyway. 

I think that everyone can appreciate what it must be like to be at the receiving end of a CAUT investigation -- an organization to which we at Redeemer do not belong. To see ourselves reflected back to us through the lens of what is quite obviously a skeptical review is disquieting. If we, and other private, faith-based institutions have been quiet it's because we have been made to feel fearful. I note that no one from TWU has replied to this thread even though I am sure they are watching what is happening. I understand it though. 

It makes the few of us who labour in the vineyard of these institutions feel isolated in at least two ways. Theatre departments are rare things in some faith communities because of the nature of the work we all do. It sometimes puts us at odds with those who would rather we do safe, inoffensive work when what many of us want to do is ask hard questions and tell great stories. It can also isolate us from the broader academy to know that many view us with skepticism -- as narrow-minded and controlling. Where do we fit in? 

There are many conversations that might flow out of this, and I hope they do. I just wanted you to know that we, like you, love the students, the work, and the opportunity to participate in the culture(s) around us. Frankly, I love the ongoing dialogue in the larger public academic theatre community. We seek understanding not uniformity of perspective. 

Don't take my word for it though, and never mind what CAUT says, come and see for yourselves. Come down and see what we do. I'll even buy you lunch. 

Raymond Louter 
Professor of Theatre 
Redeemer University College 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Moira Day" < moira.day at USASK.CA > 
To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA 
Sent: Monday, 11 February , 2013 12:51:53 AM 
Subject: Re: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University 

The correspondence at the end of the report was particularly interesting, and I'm almost sorry that both parties didn't proceed to have that larger public, philosophical debate that they felt the matter possibly deserved. So much seems to hinge on that over-worked word, "diversity" and what it actually means. Personally, I'm more inclined to agree with Tibor - if I'm not misunderstanding him in my own turn. Even as someone who feels that religious colleges have a legitimate place in a pluralistic university, (and I'm not suggesting that CAUT is arguing that they don't), I have grave reservations about some of Redeemer's own understandings of "pluralism" ; it's not an academic or faith community that I'd want to belong to myself, and I'm glad I don't live in a world where it would be my only route to a higher education and the professions. But even if I'm personally closer to agreeing to CAUT's definition of academic freedom, I'm also uncomfortable with the apparent imposition of a one-size-fits-all definition of "diversity" that strikes me as being, in its own way, as exclusive, ideologically driven and selective in its interpretation of the history of education as the other. As mentioned, it seemed to me that the correspondence in the report ended on a note of debate or discussion that I'm almost sorry did not continue. Though I guess we've been doing a pretty good job of that ourselves. 

Moira 

On 2013-02-10 , at 8:05 AM, appledor at sympatico.ca wrote: 

What an excellent, well argued and fair analysis by Professors Handford and Manson. 

David Ferry 
Appledore Productions 
416 433 5826 
www.davidferryactor.com 

On Feb 7, 2013, at 3:47 PM, Aida Jordao < a.jordao at UTORONTO.CA > wrote: 

<blockquote>

Yes, I thought you meant TWU was not open to diversity, which they're evidently not. Theirs is an exclusionary attitude -- very problematic in our so-called mosaic. 
Aida 

-- 
Aida Jordão 
PhD Candidate, The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies 
University of Toronto 

From: Canadian Theatre Research [ CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA ] on behalf of Tibor Egervari [ tiboregervari at SYMPATICO.CA ] 
Sent: February 7, 2013 2:32 PM 
To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA 
Subject: Re: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University 

Hello 

I am sorry if I didn't express myself clearly. I do think that the rule of diversity applies to institutions too. Therefore, notwithstanding my personal beliefs, I am of the opinion that Trinity Western University is a legitimate addition to the Canadian mosaic. 

Tibor 

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 18:51:05 +0000 
From: gnichols at MTA.CA 
Subject: Re: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University 
To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA 

Hello 
Certainly not new or unique. Although not theatre specifically, a local, private university in Moncton (Crandall, formerly Atlantic Baptist University) has stirred a controversy over their explicit policy of not hiring anyone in any capacity (faculty, admin or staff) who has sexual relations outside of a male/female marriage. This is based on their understanding of Christian beliefs. The controversy has arisen over their acceptance of public subsidies, although they have recently announced they will not be asking for further subsidy from the municipality…. The province is another matter… 

Glen 

From: Canadian Theatre Research [ mailto:CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA ] On Behalf Of Simon du Toit 
Sent: February 7, 2013 12:52 PM 
To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA 
Subject: Re: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University 

Hi Aida et al 

The issue you raise is complex, but it's not new. There are a few private Canadian institutions that have the right under the law to discriminate on the basis of religious affiliation, of which TWU is one. The practice is much more widely accepted in the U.S., where there are hundreds of such institutions. The CAUT has been conducting investigations of some of those Canadian schools, although not on the basis of a complaint filed by any faculty member of the schools in question. Here's a report on one such investigation: 

http://www.caut.ca/pages.asp?page=978&lang=1 

This issue has implications for much larger questions, about whether we are able to tolerate religious voices in a democracy. See for example the Bouchard Taylor Commission. Does our national vision of multicultural diversity include religion? What if that religion itself excludes others? These are complex ethical issues, as Tibor's note suggests. I, for one, think that the insistence on rational discourse alone in higher education is itself an exclusionary tactic that privileges certain voices and interests. Performance studies has an important contribution to make to the discussion, so I think it's a good topic for all of us. 

Regards, 

Simon 

====================================================== 
Simon W. du Toit 
B.Ed., M.F.A., Ph.D. 
Undergraduate Chair, Communication, Media, and Film 
Sessional Instructor, School of Dramatic Art 
Room 4113, Lambton Tower; ( 519) 253-3000 x2847 
University of Windsor 

From: Aida Jordao < a.jordao at UTORONTO.CA > 
To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA , 
Date: 2013-02-07 10:38 AM 
Subject: Re: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University 
Sent by: Canadian Theatre Research < CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA > 

Hi Peter et al, 
Doesn't this advertisement for "a committed Christian" discriminate on the basis of religion? And what is "ethical theatre training"? 
Aida 

-- 
Aida Jordão 
PhD Candidate, The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies 
University of Toronto 

From: Canadian Theatre Research [ CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA ] on behalf of Peter Kuling [ kuling at GMAIL.COM ] 
Sent: February 6, 2013 1:41 PM 
To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA 
Subject: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University 

The School of the Arts, Media and Culture at Trinity Western University seeks a creative mentor for a tenure track position at the Assistant Professor level in the Theatre Department. 

This small and dynamic department, in which faculty responsibilities are shared and negotiated, offers a BA in Theatre and a BFA in Acting. The successful candidate will be an accomplished generalist whose broad knowledge of theatre includes experience in everything from design to performance. S/he will be required to oversee all production activities, including supervising production staff and managing budgets, as well as direct one production each year. Strong evidence of teaching effectiveness in several areas – which could include acting, directing, voice, movement, and/or technical theatre – is required. The successful candidate will hold an MFA or PhD in theatre and be a committed Christian with a vision for challenging and ethical theatre training. 

Interested candidates are requested to complete the on-line application at http://www.twu.ca/divisions/hr/join/faculty-positions.html. Additionally, please forward to Judy Bartram, Executive Assistant to the Office of the Provost, Academics ( judy.bartram at twu.ca) documentation outlining interests, experience, and major contributions to teaching, research and practice as well as verification of doctoral (or terminal) degree. Applications will be accepted until March 6, 2013 or until a suitable candidate is found, subject to budget approval. Any enquiries regarding this position may also be sent to judy.bartram at twu.ca . 

Trinity Western University is a liberal arts university and seeks candidates who are committed to and support its evangelical Christian basis, mission and orientation. More information about Trinity Western’s School of the Arts, Media + Culture and its programs can be found here . In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, this advertisement is directed in the first instance to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. 

</blockquote>

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