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Wm Curtis Holtzen is Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Hope International University (HIU), Fullerton, CA, where he has been teaching since 1998. He holds a Doctor of Theology from the University of South Africa and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Loyola Marymount University. His academic work bridges philosophy, theology, and cultural engagement. Doctor of Theology, University of South Africa (2008) Master of Theology, University of South Africa (2005) Master of Arts in Philosophy, Loyola Marymount University (2013) Master of Arts in Religion, Pepperdine University (1998) Bachelor of Arts, Pacific Christian College (1989) His research focuses on the philosophy of trust , faith and science dialogue , and relational theology . He explores how trust functions in human-divine relationships, the philosophical underpinnings of religious belief, and the interplay between scientific reasoning and theological conviction. His work often engages with contemporary media, such as film and television, to make theology accessible and relevant. The recent publications reflect a sustained interest in divine faith , hermeneutics of trust , and open and relational theism . Across articles and book chapters, themes of divine limitation, human agency, and the virtue of trust emerge consistently. His editorial work in Connecting Faith and Science and In Spirit and in Truth highlights interdisciplinary collaboration and liturgical philosophy. HIU Servant Leader of the Year (2015) President, Wesleyan Philosophical Society (2015–2016) Holtzen has been actively involved in academic societies including the American Academy of Religion (AAR) , Society of Christian Philosophers , and the Wesleyan Theological Society . He has mentored students through seminar presentations and course instruction, though specific advisees are not listed. He has delivered lectures at numerous universities and conferences, often focusing on trust, film, and theology. He is affiliated with the Open and Relational Theologies Steering Committee (2011–2018), indicating leadership in progressive theological discourse. He has taught courses such as Introduction to Philosophy , Postmodernism & the Cinema , and Theology of Religions , demonstrating a commitment to integrating philosophical rigor with spiritual formation. His ongoing engagement with public theology, academic publishing, and professional societies underscores his role as a significant voice in contemporary philosophical theology.

• Philosophy of Trust
• Philosophy of Religion
• Theology of Religions
• +7 more

Barry Laga is Professor of English at Colorado Mesa University, affiliated with the Department of English in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He teaches courses in Composition, Film Studies, Literary Theory, American Literature, and Cultural Studies, emphasizing methodological diversity and critical engagement. His educational background includes a PhD from Purdue University and MA and BA degrees from Brigham Young University. His pedagogy centers on the 'toolbox metaphor,' empowering students with interpretive and critical strategies rather than fixed knowledge. Laga's research lies at the intersection of cultural studies, postmodernism, and interdisciplinary literary analysis. He explores topics such as Holocaust representation in graphic novels (e.g., Maus ), religious art, Mormon cultural narratives, experimental literature, and postmodern cinema. His work reflects a deep engagement with visual narrative, identity formation, and the politics of memory. His publications span over two decades, including a 2018 monograph with Routledge and numerous peer-reviewed essays and reviews. The body of his work reveals a consistent focus on how narrative, form, and metaphor shape cultural understanding, especially in marginalized or contested histories. Review of The Jewish Graphic Novel , Shofar , 2011 Review of Comics as Philosophy , MELUS , 2007 Review of Gerald Vizenor: Writing in the Oral Tradition , Mid-America Folklore , 1997 Review of Manifest Manners , American Indian Quarterly , 1996 Review of Shadow Distance , American Indian Quarterly , 1996 Laga has advised no publicly listed students in the provided text and has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards. He maintains an active scholarly presence through publications and conference presentations, though no grants, labs, or research teams are referenced.

• Cultural Studies
• American Literature
• Literary Theory
• +9 more

Dan Bradley is a Professor of Philosophy at Gonzaga University in the Department of Philosophy within the College of Arts and Sciences. He is currently on sabbatical in Spring 2025. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the National University of Ireland and has been teaching at Gonzaga for over a decade, deeply rooted in the Jesuit tradition of philosophical inquiry. Education: Ph.D., Philosophy, National University of Ireland, 2007 M.A., Ethics and Cultural Studies, University College Galway B.A., Honors in Biology, Gonzaga University B.A., Honors in Philosophy, Gonzaga University Dan Bradley's research centers on the interplay between phenomenology and religion, particularly exploring themes of the sacred, desire, presence, illusion, and alterity. His work engages deeply with continental thinkers like Paul Ricoeur, Richard Kearney, Kierkegaard, Levinas, and Julia Kristeva. He also investigates how film, especially the works of David Lynch, can serve as a medium for phenomenological and theological reflection. His scholarship bridges hermeneutics of suspicion with a phenomenology of presence, examining how truth and illusion emerge in spiritual and existential experience. His recent publications reflect a consistent focus on the sacred in philosophy and cinema, the role of desire in human subjectivity, and the tension between memory and authority. He is currently completing a book titled Desire and Method: Truth and Illusion in Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, and the Discernment of Spirits , which synthesizes ancient and modern thought on desire, truth, and illusion. Dan Bradley has not been awarded any scientific prizes or fellowships mentioned in the text. He teaches courses in Human Nature, Ethics, Phenomenology, and Hermeneutics, and has advised numerous students, though specific names are not listed. His research has been supported by sabbatical time and academic collaborations, particularly with Felix O’Murchadha. He is actively engaged in ongoing projects that extend his inquiry into the philosophical roots of desire and the sacred. Bradley is affiliated with academic networks including Academia.edu and contributes to journals such as the Journal of Speculative Philosophy and International Philosophical Quarterly . His work is interdisciplinary, combining philosophy, theology, psychoanalysis, and film studies.

• Phenomenology
• Philosophy of Religion
• Hermeneutics
• +7 more

Erika Tritle is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies within the College of Humanities at Coastal Carolina University. She specializes in the history of Christianity with a particular focus on Christian-Jewish relations in late medieval Spain, especially examining the complex status of conversos (baptized Jews and their descendants). Dr. Tritle earned her Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Chicago Divinity School and her B.A. from Luther College. Her academic journey has taken her from Minnesota and South Dakota, where she grew up as the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and a public school teacher, to Israel, where she completed a Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Her dissertation, To the Jew First and to the Greek: Alonso de Cartagena and the Problem of Jewish Flesh in Fifteenth-Century Spain , established her expertise in medieval theological debates surrounding Jewish identity and conversion. Dr. Tritle's research centers on how Christian thinkers in late medieval Spain constructed theological frameworks that determined the religious and civic status of conversos. She has demonstrated that while later historical narratives have emphasized 'purity of blood' as the central category in these debates, contemporary fifteenth-century discussions were more focused on honor, lineage, and theological nobility. Her work reveals how medieval debates about Jewishness and Christian identity laid important groundwork for later racial thinking in Western culture. Recent publications show a growing interest in interfaith dialogue and the contemporary implications of historical religious encounters. Among her notable achievements is a Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, where she worked with the Center for the Study of Conversion and Inter-Religious Encounters. Her research has been published in prestigious journals such as Church History and Religious Culture , Cadernos de Estudos Sefarditas , and Crusading and Masculinities . Dr. Tritle teaches courses on Christianity (history, theology, practice, New Testament), world religions, theory and method in the study of religion, and religion in public life. Her teaching reflects her deep commitment to understanding religious traditions both historically and in their contemporary manifestations. Outside her academic work, she has engaged with religious communities through diverse experiences including working as an AmeriCorps Vista Member, substitute teaching across multiple grade levels, managing a Ronald McDonald House, studying nonviolence in the Black Hills, and exploring interfaith friendship in Jerusalem.

• History of Christianity
• Christian anti-Judaism
• Race in Christian thought
• +7 more

Welcome to Dylan Shaul's academic profile. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Affiliated Faculty in the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of California, Riverside. His expertise spans historical and contemporary philosophical traditions. PhD, University of Toronto (2023) Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University (2023-2024) Research Interests include: 18th/19th Century Philosophy (German Idealism, Jewish Philosophy) Early Modern Philosophy 20th Century European Philosophy Ethics Philosophy of Religion Philosophy of Film He will lead an upcoming workshop titled Metaphysics Resurrected at the Philosophy Portal starting August 4th, 2025.

• 18th/19th Century Philosophy
• German Idealism
• Jewish Philosophy
• +5 more

Matteo Gilebbi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of French and Italian at Dartmouth College, with affiliations in Comparative Literature and the Environmental Humanities Initiative. His academic career spans institutions like Duke University (2009–2017) and Dartmouth (2017–present), focusing on Italian literature, cinema, and posthumanist theory. Research Interests: Environmental humanities Ecocriticism Animal studies Posthumanism Italian cinema Philosophy and literature Recent Publications explore the Anthropocene in Sorrentino’s films, waste narratives in Mediterranean contexts, and the human-animal divide in Italian poetry and cinema. His work bridges ecocriticism with new materialism and feminist theory. Academic Leadership: Co-director of the Anthropocene Reading Group, emphasizing interdisciplinary environmental scholarship. Education: PhD in Italian, University of Wisconsin-Madison M.A. in Narrative and New Media, University of Urbino Laurea in Philosophy, University of Urbino

• Environmental Humanities
• Ecocriticism
• Animal Studies
• +3 more

Seán Easton is Professor and Chair of the Department of Greek, Latin and Classical Studies (GLCS) at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he also teaches in the Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies (PJCS) program and is affiliated with Comparative Literature. He holds a B.A. from Oberlin College and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. B.A., Oberlin College M.A., University of California, Los Angeles Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles His research focuses on the epic tradition in ancient Greek and Roman literature, the cinematic and televisual reception of classical antiquity, and representations of peace and conflict in ancient texts. He explores how modern media reinterpret classical themes, particularly in global contexts such as Indian and New Zealand film and television. His work analyzes films like Sikandar and Thor: Ragnarok , and series such as STARZ Spartacus and Versailles , examining ideological, postcolonial, and mythological dimensions. His recent publications reveal a strong interest in how classical narratives are adapted to reflect contemporary political and cultural concerns, including imperialism, identity, and resistance. He frequently draws connections between ancient literary motifs and modern screen storytelling, with a particular emphasis on visual symbolism and narrative structure. Notable scholarly contributions include analyses of Fascist-era film reuse in anti-imperialist Indian cinema, Māori cultural influence in Marvel productions, and the use of Greek myth to explore legitimacy and power in French historical drama. His work bridges classical scholarship with media and cultural studies. Seán Easton has not been mentioned as receiving specific scientific awards or fellowships in the provided text. He advises students through honors theses and capstone projects, though no named advisees are listed. He is actively involved in teaching and research, with no indication of retirement or part-time status. He is associated with interdisciplinary programs and contributes to discussions on classical reception in popular culture, often using digital platforms to disseminate his insights. His teaching portfolio includes courses on mythology, ancient literature, Latin, and peace studies, reflecting the breadth of his academic engagement.

• Classical Studies
• Ancient Greek and Roman Literature
• Epic Tradition
• +7 more

Melinda Lopez is a playwright, performer, and educator currently serving as a Professor of the Practice at Northeastern University. She has taught at Boston University, Boston College, and Wellesley College, and is actively engaged in the Boston theatre community through her residencies at the Huntington Theatre Company and collaborations with institutions like the Old Globe Theatre and UCSB. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Boston University, where she studied under Nobel laureate Derek Walcott, her work bridges performance, education, and cultural advocacy. B.A. in Theatre from Dartmouth College M.A. in Theatre Education from Boston University Her research and creative focus spans dramaturgy, playwriting, and contemporary American theatre, often centered on Latinx experiences and Cuban-American narratives. She specializes in adaptation (e.g., Yerma , Twelfth Night ) and interdisciplinary projects like Orchids to Octopi , commissioned by the National Institutes of Health. Her recent works explore family dynamics, cultural identity, and societal challenges through innovative storytelling. Her accolades include the 2019 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Achievement and multiple Massachusetts Cultural Council Awards in Dramatic Writing. She received the IRNE Best New Play Award for Orchids to Octopi and Elliot Norton Awards for Best New Play for The Black Beans Project , Mala , and Sonia Flew . She was recognized by President Obama in 2016, and Mayor Marty Walsh declared October 29, 2016, "Melinda Lopez Day" in Boston. As a humanitarian, she volunteers to support the people of Cuba. Her artistic practice includes stage performance, film (e.g., Fever Pitch ), and residencies at Sundance, the Lark, and Harvard University. She balances teaching, advocacy, and creative work, often drawing from her Cuban-American heritage and personal experiences.

• Dramaturgy
• Playwriting
• Performance
• +5 more

Heidi Hutner is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Stony Brook University with joint affiliations in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and Women's and Gender Studies. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington, Seattle (1993). Hutner's research bridges environmental literature, ecofeminism, and environmental justice, with particular focus on nuclear studies and gender-environment intersections. Her research explores: Environmental humanities through literary and film analysis Ecofeminist responses to nuclear disasters Intersections of gender, race, and environmental justice Maternal environmental activism and health impacts Climate narratives and ecological grief Publications demonstrate strong focus on nuclear studies (44%), ecofeminism (31%), and environmental justice (25%), with increasing attention to climate change and pandemic intersections in recent works. Research outputs have evolved from literary criticism toward environmental justice advocacy and documentary storytelling. Awards and honors include: Audience Award for Best Documentary, Dances With Films Festival (2022) Sierra Club Long Island's Award (2015) FAHSS Award SUNY Stony Brook (2010) Dual Women’s Studies Teaching Awards (2006, 2008) Multiple graduate fellowships including University of Washington Teaching Stipend Currently co-investigator on NIH grant 'Three Mile Island Low-level Exposure to Radioxenon' (2023-2025). Leads documentary projects including the award-winning RADIOACTIVE: The Women of Three Mile Island and produces the interview series Coffee with Hx2 featuring environmental experts.

• Environmental literature and film
• Ecofeminism
• Environmental justice
• +5 more

Moira Fradinger is Associate Professor in the Department of Comparative Literature at Yale University, where she has been a faculty member since 2005. She is affiliated with the Multidisciplinary Academic Program in Human Rights, the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, and the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Council. She serves on the Executive Committees of the Council of Latin American and Iberian Studies (CLAIS) and the Latin American Interdisciplinary Gender Studies Network (LAIGN), and curates the 'Conversatorios de los viernes' webinar series on gender. Her research traverses comparative literature, political theory, feminist and decolonial thought, classical reception, and Latin American and Caribbean film and literature. She is particularly known for her work on the reception of Greek tragedy in Latin America, gender politics, Third Cinema, and the intersections of literature, violence, and democracy. Her scholarship is deeply interdisciplinary, drawing from critical theory, psychoanalysis, and anti-colonial thought. Her recent publications reveal a sustained focus on the figure of Antigone across Latin America, the politics of testimony and mourning, feminist film theory, and the radical potential of Third Cinema. She explores how classical myths are reimagined in postcolonial contexts to articulate resistance, gendered subjectivity, and political futurity. Dahlem International Network Professorship for Gender Studies, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Prize, Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin Sarai Ribicoff Award for the Encouragement of Teaching at Yale College (2012) Fradinger has made significant contributions through her teaching, mentorship, and interdisciplinary leadership. She has taught courses on Latin American Third Cinema, Marxist Cultural Theory, Psychoanalytic Theories of the Subject, Gender Theories, and cross-divisional topics such as Freud and Science. Her work bridges academic scholarship with public engagement through op-eds and interviews on gender, violence, and environmental justice. She is actively involved in academic communities focused on Latin American studies, gender, and human rights, and her research continues to shape conversations on decolonial feminism, classical reception, and political aesthetics.

• Comparative Literature
• Latin American Studies
• Classical Reception
• +16 more

Dr. Joonseong Lee is a Professor in the Department of Communication & Media Studies at California State University San Marcos, part of the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences (CHABSS). His office is located in SBSB 2128, and he can be contacted via email at jlee@csusm.edu or phone at (760) 750-4134. Education Ph.D. in Media Studies (2006) from Ohio University, School of Media Arts and Studies M.A. in Radio and Television (2002) from San Francisco State University, College of Creative Arts B.A. in Won Buddhism (1988) from Won Kwang University, Korea, focusing on Buddhism and social movements Research Focus Dr. Lee specializes in media, religion, and pop culture with expertise in emerging media and Eastern philosophy. His research combines Continental philosophy with Buddhist and Taoist frameworks to analyze: New media technologies and governmental dominance Feminist media studies and cyberculture empowerment Korean shamanism's mediatization and territorialization processes Cultural implications of digital spirituality and online rituals His groundbreaking 2022 book The Assemblage of Korean Shamanism examines shamanic practices through Deleuzian frameworks, with forthcoming research on artist Nam June Paik as an 'electronic shaman' (2025). Publication Focus Dr. Lee's scholarly work consistently explores the intersection of traditional Korean culture with digital modernity. His publications demonstrate: Recurrent analysis of shamanism's adaptation to digital capitalism Critical examination of gender politics in online spaces Interdisciplinary approaches combining media theory with religious studies Sustained focus on Korean cultural identity in globalized media landscapes Methodological innovation in studying cybercultures and digital ethnography Teaching Portfolio MDIA 360: Media and Society MDIA 301: Media Theory MDIA 304: Global Media MDIA 451: Media, Religion & Pop Culture MDIA 452: Media Ethics

• Media Studies
• New Media Technologies
• Cultural Studies
• +7 more

Ian Gurvitz is a Lecturer in Film and Media Arts at the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University. With over 30 years of experience in television, he has worked as a writer, director, and executive producer on iconic shows such as Wings , Becker , The Wonder Years , and Frasier , producing over 300 episodes and creating three series that reached the screen. Education: BA in Philosophy, Ithaca College (cum laude) MA in Buddhist Studies (incomplete, Colgate University), including a year studying Japanese and teaching English in Japan Research and Professional Focus: Gurvitz’s career bridges practical and theoretical work in television and media. His writing extends to political and cultural commentary for platforms like The Huffington Post and Attn.com, and he has authored four books exploring themes such as TV development ( Hello, Lied the Agent ), religion ( Deconstructing God ), societal critique ( Welcome to Dumbfuckistan ), and political analysis ( Freak-Out ). His creative output also includes a 2016 book of original drawings, Talking Heads .

• Television Writing
• Television Directing
• Television Production
• +4 more

Torunn Haaland , Ph.D., is a Professor of Modern Languages and Literature at Gonzaga University, where she also serves as Director of Italian Studies. Her academic focus spans Italian literature, film studies, and cultural philosophy. Ph.D. and M.A. in Modern Italian Studies, Indiana University B.A. in Journalism, Film and Broadcasting, Cardiff University BA in Media Studies, University of Wales Her research explores intersections of modern Italian literature, cinema, and philosophy. Key themes include: Liminal identities in postcolonial narratives Traumatic memory transmission Evolving neorealist aesthetics Political violence in cinematic metaphors Cultural hybridity in migration contexts Philosophical frameworks in Italian cinema Publications reveal a focus on 20th-21st century Italian cultural production, particularly examining trauma, memory, and identity through film and literature. She has published in top journals like Quaderni d’Italianistica and contributed to anthologies such as Transmissions of Memory .

• Modern Italian Literature
• Italian Film Studies
• Contemporary Italian Philosophy
• +3 more

Vernon W. Cisney is Chair and Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Gettysburg College . His academic focus spans 19th–21st century Continental philosophy, with major contributions to Deleuze and Derrida studies, philosophy of film/literature, and biopolitical theory. He co-edited seminal works like Biopower: Foucault and Beyond and authored Deleuze and Derrida: Difference and the Power of the Negative . Education: PhD (Purdue University, 2012), MA (University of Memphis, 2006), BA (Eastern Illinois University, 2004), AA (Lake Land College, 2000) His research interrogates themes of difference, identity, philosophical methodology, and intersections of ontology, agency, and aesthetics. Recent projects include analyses of David Foster Wallace's religious themes and explorations of Deleuze's literary philosophy. Publications appear in Deleuze and Guattari Studies and edited volumes on cinema and literature. Current works in progress include a monograph tracing Deleuze's philosophical arc and a study of Deleuze's relationship to literature. His teaching includes courses on Kafka, Postmodern Christian philosophers, and philosophical analyses of films like Infinite Jest and Joker .

• Continental Philosophy
• Philosophy of Film and Literature
• Philosophy of Religion
• +3 more

Joshua Landy is the Andrew B. Hammond Professor of French Language, Literature and Civilization and Professor of Comparative Literature at Stanford University, with courtesy appointments in English and Philosophy. He co-directs Stanford's Literature and Philosophy Initiative and co-hosts the nationally syndicated radio show Philosophy Talk . From 2013 to 2019, he directed Stanford's Structured Liberal Education program. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Princeton University (1997) M.A., Cambridge University (1991) B.A. in French & German, Churchill College, Cambridge (1988) Landy's research focuses on the intersection of philosophy and literature, emphasizing cognitive literary theory, French literary studies (particularly Proust), and film theory. He investigates how fiction trains mental capacities, engages with self-deception and depth in narrative, and explores literature's philosophical dimensions. His work bridges aesthetics, epistemology, and literary criticism, arguing for literature's role in shaping cognitive and ethical frameworks. His recent publications reveal a trajectory from Proust studies to broader inquiries into fiction's cognitive and ethical functions. Key themes include narrative depth, mental training through literature, deception in memoirs, and philosophical interpretations of film. His articles consistently examine how formal literary properties engage readers' cognitive faculties and ethical reasoning. Scientific awards include: Walter J. Gores Award for Teaching Excellence (1999) Dean's Award for Distinguished Teaching (2001) Eleanor Loring Ritch University Fellow in Undergraduate Education (2024) As co-director of the Literature and Philosophy Initiative and former director of Structured Liberal Education, Landy has shaped interdisciplinary curricula and mentored numerous students through innovative teaching programs. His nationally syndicated radio work extends his educational impact beyond Stanford. Landy co-directs Stanford's Literature and Philosophy Initiative, which houses major tracks in Philosophy and Literature. He is a central figure in Philosophy Talk and frequently collaborates with scholars across disciplines through guest hosting and public intellectual engagement.

• Philosophy and Literature
• Cognitive Literary Theory
• French Literature
• +3 more