Gabrielle Kelly

Much has been written over the years of the history of the Dominican Order, of its founder (St Dominic), its many saints and blesseds, key historical figures, different institutions, and its activities. St Dominic in founding the Order of Preachers left nothing written, and used the Rule written by another (St Augustine's) when founding his religious order. Within the Catholic world there are many spiritual and theological traditions that have a pace in the call to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. In the realm of spirituality there are a variety of schools following the life and writings of a number of people. The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius are one such very well-known and followed example which has been the model for many religious institutes and organisations of spiritual renewal. The Dominican 'way' has always been a less structured and defined spirituality. It is to some extent illusive, hard to define or encapsulate in one word, one line or phrase however by looking at the tradition that has developed over the last 800 plus years one can discern certain threads, certain key elements, certain constants, that shape and define it to some degree. The motto of Veritas-truth-has been often quoted as the defining word, but as like all one word mottos needs explanation, defining, distilling to meet the an ever changing context of challenges and needs. The essays in this volume examine various aspects of Dominican life. There are essays on prayer, spirituality, as well as historical and biblical pieces as well as a piece on the work of publishing. The contributors come from different parts of the world and reflect different vocations within the Order. The overarching theme in the volume is that the Dominican tradition is one of dynamic engagement, a dynamic engagement with the world, with issues, ideas, concepts, topics, biblical studies, theology, philosophy, and history in whatever activity is undertaken. It is a process, never static but always searching and calling for new ideas, new expressions, new ways to look at, to respond to the situation/s in front of us, and also importantly to make some response to the needs of the time as they confront us. It is the following of an intuition, a thought an insight, to see where it leads, to look at the context/s, all the twists of possible interpretations, understandings and to come to certain decisions in how to frame this and talk about it.

Now Kathryn Bigelow has made history as the first woman to win an Oscar for directing, is this a new era for women filmmakers? The figures suggest otherwise. Seeking to redress the imbalance between male and female film directors, Celluloid Ceiling explores inspiring new work appearing in the USA, the UK and globally. Highlighting emerging women directors alongside ground-breaking pioneers, this is a one-stop guide to the leading women film directors in the 21st century and those who inspired them. From Oscar-winning action director Kathryn Bigelow to emerging strong voices from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Laos, particular attention is paid to women making films in traditionally male-dominated areas such as action, sci-fi and fantasy and to works with a new take on the violence and pornography of the horror genre. This book shows that the changes overturning current business and artistic processes are opening up new opportunities for women film directors who are determined make the most of these. The contributors represent women making film Africa, Latin America, Europe, USA, Asia and India, with new voices in Japanese and Middle Eastern cinema, the women directors working in TV, as well as the first woman director Alice Guy Blache, the rise of the independent and the horror aficionados the Soska Sisters, Celluloid Ceiling includes numerous interviews and b/w photographs.

English for Theology has a specific goal. It is a resource workbook for the development of academic English language skills in theology and related disciplines for students - and their language teachers - from non-English speaking backgrounds. The author has sought to make the contents ecumenically relevant. The book assumes a level of proficiency in English suitable for tertiary-level study. The contents focus especially on developing reading skills. Section 1 (eleven units) provides instruction and practice in the skills of reading comprehension in English, using authentic theological texts. The way in which meaning is conveyed through mode of discourse, genre, organization of ideas, paragraph and sentence structure, and the skills of scanning, skimming and interpreting cohesive devices are included. Section 2 (13 units) offers practice in applying reading skills, as well as practice in listening, writing and speaking skills. Because theology is always grounded in a cultural context, and because this resource book has been produced in the first place with Asia-Pacific students in mind (though the principles are universally applicable), the socio-cultural realities of this region are background themes in many of the units.