{"id":3193,"date":"2016-11-02T13:36:33","date_gmt":"2016-11-02T17:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cpt\/?page_id=3193"},"modified":"2026-05-06T07:47:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:47:07","slug":"2015-annual-lecture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cpt\/annual-lectures\/2015-annual-lecture\/","title":{"rendered":"2015 Annual Lecture"},"content":{"rendered":"

Experiencing Oppression: Ventriloquism and Epistemic Violence in Practical Theology<\/em>
\n<\/em>Dr.\u00a0Courtney T. Goto<\/h4>\n

<\/h4>\n

The Center for Practical Theology hosted the Eighth Annual Lecture Series with Dr. Courtney T. Goto<\/a> as the lecturer for the evening. \u00a0Dr. Goto’s lecture was entitled “Experiencing Oppression: Ventriloquism and Epistemic Violence in Practical Theology.” \u00a0She is the Assistant Professor of Religious Education\u00a0at the Boston University\u00a0School of Theology.<\/p>\n

Dr. Goto stated in her lecture that, “epistemic violence, is an experience of oppression from the inside, is ever-present and thus present throughout the academy.” \u00a0Her lecture explored the experience of epistemic violence in practical theology, where we are given institutional authority to interpret and represent the lived experience of others, as well as the responsibility to shape student experience. \u00a0She uses the metaphor of ventriloquism to explore practical theologians as performers who, by virtue by our position, makes dummies of those we are attempting to serve, including subjects of research, colleagues, and students.<\/span><\/p>\n

You may view her presentation here<\/a>\u00a0and may view photos of the event below. Many thanks to event photographer Ylisse Bess!<\/p>\n