'The Christ-Haunted South' to Examine Religion and Southern Culture

"The Christ-Haunted South," the fourth annual Pruit Symposium at Baylor University, will examine religion's influence on Southern art, film, theater and literature. The symposium, which is sponsored by Baylor's English department, the Institute of Faith and Learning and the Institute for Oral History, will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and will run through Saturday, Oct. 24.
"We wanted to select a topic that would appeal to people from a number of disciplines and interests as well as to people in the community," said Dr. Michael Beaty, director of the Institute for Faith and Learning.
During the symposium, some of the most respected scholars in Southern culture will discuss the works of 20th-century Southern writers, from William Faulkner to John Grisham, as well as topics of race and history, feminism, theater and Southern movies.
Major presenters include renowned Christian activist Will Campbell, whose book Brother to a Dragonfly was a finalist for the National Book Award; author Dennis Covington, also a finalist for the National Book Award for his Salvation on Sand Mountain; and Dr. Greg Garrett, winner of the 1993 Pirate's Alley William Faulkner Prize for Fiction. The symposium's keynote address, "Will There Always Be A South? Tradition, Modernity and Memory," will be delivered by Dr. Wayne Flynt, distinguished professor at Auburn University.
Other primary presenters include William Faulkner expert Dr. Noel Polk; Flannery O'Connor scholar Dr. Ralph Wood; Walker Percy scholar Jay Tolson; Dr. Kenny Williams, an expert on African American literature; and Dr. Riggins Earl, who will speak on religion and African American art. Additionally, scholars from 40 universities and colleges will lead concurrent sessions on various topics.
For reservation information, call the Institute of Faith and Learning at (254) 710-4805. A complete schedule of symposium presentations can be found at https://www.baylor.edu/~IFL/Call.html .