C U R R I C U L U M

V I T A E

James Brian Gerrie

Address

 118 Cromarty Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 4W2  Canada
   

Telephone

 Home: (902) 539-6548
Work: (902) 563-1238
   

Fax

 (902) 563 1941
   

E-mail

 jim_gerrie@cbu.ca

Date of Birth

 19 May 1967
   

Citizenship

 Canadian
   

Languages

 English (R, S, W)
French (R, S)

Academic Credentials

Ph.D. in Philosophy granted June 1999
University of Guelph-McMaster University Joint Doctoral Program, Guelph Ontario Canada
Supervisor: Dr. Jay Newman
Dissertation: Some Ethical and Public Policy Implications of Technological Dependency With Reference to the Works of Harold Innis, Marshall McLuhan and George Grant.
M. A. in Philosophy granted June 1993
University of Guelph, Guelph Ontario Canada
Thesis: Charles Taylor and the Inescapability of Frameworks.
B. A. (Honours) in Philosophy and Religious Studies granted May 1990
Mount Allison University, Sackville New Brunswick Canada

Other Credentials

Appointment(s) and Promotion(s)

Leaves

Honours (Medals, Fellowships, Prizes)

2014 Asociación para el estudio y divulgación de la Informática clásica Primer puesto: "Concurso de programción BASIC"
2012 Museo de Informática República Argentina Fundación ICATEC Ganador de "Retrospectiva 2012"
2011 Cape Breton University 3 Credit Teaching Reduction for Research (CBUFA 27.2.3.1)
1993-1997 University of Guelph University Graduate Scholarship (Departmental)
1989, 1990 Mount Allison University Philosophy Department Summer Research Fellowship
1987-1989 " Dean's List Scholarship
1989 " Philosophy Department Award
1989 " Rev. E.R. Stanway Award
1988 " Frederick A. Wightman Prize
1988 " J.H. Chase Memorial Award
1988 " The Hibert C. Lawrence Prize
1987 " A. Heartz Johnson Scholarship
1987 " Ebbut Memorial Scholarship
1987 " Minnie Evans Tait Prize

Teaching Record

Most Recent Scheduled Instructional Activity

2024 Winter PHIL-1103-75: Critical Thinking
2024 Winter PHIL-2109-0: The Existence of God
2024 Winter PHIL-2223-2: Technology & Society
2023 Fall PHIL-1103-75: Critical Thinking
2023 Fall PHIL-2125-31: Death & Dying: Dying & Values (Tutorial)
2023 Fall PHIL-2223-1: Technology & Society
2023 Fall PHIL-5115-2: Legal & Ethical Issues in Health
2023 Winter PHIL-1103-76: Critical Thinking
2023 Winter PHIL-2223-2: Technology & Society
2023 Winter PHIL-2223-32: Technology & Society
2023 Winter PHIL-5115-3: Legal & Ethical Issues in Health
2022 Fall PHIL-2221-53: Science & Society
2022 Fall PHIL-1103-75: Critical Thinking
2022 Fall PHIL-5115-2: Legal & Ethical Issues in Health
2022 Spring PHIL-2223-0: Technology & Society
2022 Spring PHIL-5115-0: Legal & Ethical Issues in Health
2022 Winter PHIL-1103-76: Critical Thinking
2022 Winter PHIL-2223-2: Technology & Society
2022 Winter PHIL-3115-0: Minds: Natural & Artificial
2022 Winter PHIL-5115-0: Legal & Ethical Issues in Health
2021 Fall PHIL-2221-53: Science & Society
2021 Fall PHIL-2223-1: Technology & Society
2021 Fall PHIL-5115-2: Legal & Ethical Issues in Health
2021 Winter PHIL-1103-4: Critical Thinking
2021 Winter PHIL-1103-76: Critical Thinking
2021 Winter PHIL-2223-2: Technology & Society
2021 Winter PHIL-3701-0: Artificial Intelligence

Scheduled Instructional Activity for Last 6 Years

2011-2020 Cape Breton University Associate Professor
2006-2011 Cape Breton University Assistant Professor
2001-2006 Wilfrid Laurier University Part-time Instructor
1998-2006 University of Guelph Sessional Instructor
2004 University of Windsor Sessional Instructor
2004 Niagara College Part-time Instructor
2002-2003 Redeemer University College Part-time Instructor
1991-2003 University of Guelph Teaching Assistant

Thesis Students Supervised or on Their Committee

  1. SASS Major project/thesis student supervisor and final presentation attendee.(2021)

New or Revised Teaching Materials Developed or Authored

  1. An Interactive Collection of Early BASIC AI Programs, Internet Archive (2024). https://archive.org/details/AI8-bitBASICprograms
    And source code hosted on Github: https://jggames.github.io/Type-in-Mania-AI-Programs.html
  2. New course approved by CBU Senate: PHIL3115 "Minds: Natural & Artificial" (2020)
  3. New course approved by CBU Senate: PHIL5115 "Law and Ethics in Health Care" (2020)
  4. The Logical Theorist 5.3. A Symbolic logic educational software package developed for the Mount Allison University Department of Philosophy. Published (with accompanying disk) by Mount Allison Department of Philosophy, Sackville NB, 1990-2003. Available online at http://faculty.cbu.ca/jgerrie/Home/LOGIC53.ZIP
    Dr. Cyril Welch of Mount Allison University has used the program to help in the preparation of logical proofs, such as in his article on Paul Bernay's independence proofs available at: http://www.mta.ca/~cwelch/bernays.pdf (See footnote 2 on page 11)
  5. Venn Draw 2.1. An Informal logic educational software package developed for use with Guelph Department of Philosophy Introductory Logic Course Manual. Available online at http://faculty.cbu.ca/jgerrie/Home/VENN21.EXE

Books, Chapters in Books, Expository and Review Articles

Books

  1. Technology and Society: A Philosophical Guide. Broadview Press, 2018. https://broadviewpress.com/product/technology-and-society-a-philosophical-guide/#tab-description

Chapters in Books

  1. "Software Preservation Insights on the Power of BASIC" Game Science. Digital Humanities for Games and Gaming. (Disk Book). Melanie Fritsch, Stefan Höltgen, Torsten Roeder, Editors. Weimar: PolyPlay 2023.
  2. "Ursula Franklin and the Principled 'No:' The Need for a Recognition of a Right to Conscientious Technological Objection." What Would Ursula Franklin Say? Kanishka Sikri, Katie Mackinnon & Leslie Regan Shade, Editors. Humanities Commons, 2022.
  3. "Was Science Under Fire from the Bush Administration in the United States?" Ideas Under Fire: Historical Studies of Philosophy and Science in Adversity, Jonathan Lavery, Louis Groarke & William Sweet, Editors. Lanham, Maryland:Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2013.
  4. "Were Mohandas K. Gandhi and George Grant Neo-Luddite Nationalists?" In Gandhi and Grant: Their Philosophical Affinities, Arati Barua, Editor. New Delhi: Rajkumar for Academic Excellence, 2010.
  5. "A Lost Tradition of Canadian Technological Criticism." In The River Of History: Trans-national and Trans-disciplinary Perspectives on the Immanence of the Past, Peter Farrugia, Editor. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2005.
  6. "Silence: The Medium of McLuhan's Ethical Message." In The Medium As Message: A Symposium on Theory, Mass Media, and Popular Culture, Doug Mann, Stephen F. Haller & Heidi Nelson Hochenedel, Editors. Windsor, Ont.: Kabkort Publishers, Spring 2000.

Papers in Refereed Journals

  1. "Some Practical Implications of Richard M. Gale's Rejection of Practical Arguments for the Existence of God." Maritain Studies/Etudes Maritainiennes. Vol. 38 2024. pp. 119-126.
  2. "A Plea for the Preservation of Early BASIC Game Programs." Canadian Journal of Media Studies/Revue Canadienne d'études des médias,18(1) 2022, pp. 90-113
  3. "The Emerging Middle Way of Accommodating Religion in Public Education: Why is Released Time Instruction Hosted in Public Schools Missing from the Debate?" Maritain Studies/Etudes Maritainiennes, Vol. 35, 2019. pp. 87-105.
  4. Review Essay for Special Issue on Religion and Education: "Jenny McGill's Religious Identity and Cultural Negotiation: Toward a Theology of Christian Identity in Migration." FIRE: Forum for International Research in Education, Vol. 5, Iss 1, 2019.
  5. "Is 'Secularization' a Case of Unwitting Cultural Disruption?" Philosophy, Culture and Traditions, Vol 14, 2018. pp. 51-59.
  6. "Mainline Religious Decline and Multiculturalism" Philosophy, Culture and Traditions, Vol. 13, 2017. pp. 103-111.
  7. "Charles Taylor's Modern Identity and the 'Atonement Muddle'." Analecta Hermeneutica, Volume 9, 2017.
  8. "God's Moral Obligation to Hide." Toronto Journal of Theology, Vol. 33, No. 1, 2017. pp. 75-86.
  9. "A Preliminary Case for Viewing Public Schools as Multicultural and Multi-religious Community Centres" Maritain Studies/Etudes Maritainiennes, Vol. 30, 2014. pp. 71-87.
  10. "A Proposal for How the Funding of Science Should be Divided Between the State and Private Interests." Techné: Journal of the Society for Philosophy and Technology, Volume 17, No. 2, Fall 2014. pp. 227-252.
  11. "A Philosophy Of Technology Perspective On James Rachels' Attack On The Distinction Between Killing And Letting Die." For Techné: Journal of the Society for Philosophy and Technology, Volume 16, No. 3, Fall 2012. pp. 317-329.
  12. "Three Species of Technological Dependency." Techné: Research in Philosophy and Technology, Volume 12, No. 3, 2008. pp. 184-194.
  13. "Accidental Democrats? Calvinism's Ambiguous Contribution to Modern Democratic Ideals." Philosophy, Culture, & Traditions, Volume 4, 2007. pp. 161-185.
  14. "Mackie and Multiple Universes." Toronto Journal of Theology, Volume 22, No. 2, 2006. pp. 133-148.
  15. With Stephen Haller. "The Role of Science in Public Policy: Higher Reason, or Reason for Hire?" Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, Volume 20, No. 1, 2007.
  16. "Technology and Choice: George Grant's Disparate Ethical and Legal Positions on Abortion." The Journal of Canadian Studies, Volume 38, No. 3, 2004. pp. 153-170.
  17. "Innis, McLuhan and Grant: Canada's Three Mute Technological Critics." Techné: Journal of the Society for Philosophy and Technology, Volume 9, No. 2, 2005. pp. 94-119.
  18. "Was Foucault a Philosopher of Technology?" Techné: Journal of the Society for Philosophy and Technology, Volume 7, No. 2, 2003. pp. 66-73.
  19. "Environmental Ethics: Should We Preserve the Red Herring and Flounder?" Article in the Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, Volume 16, No. 1, 2003. pp. 63-76.
  20. Review Essay "Are We Running Out of Ingenuity? Thomas Homer-Dixon, The Ingenuity Gap: How We Can Solve the Problems of the Future." Research in Philosophy and Technology. Volume 21, 2002. pp. 325-330.
  21. "Innis, McLuhan and Grant and the Challenge of Technological Dependence." Arachné: An Interdisciplinary Journal of the Humanities, Volume 6, No. 2, 1999. pp. 87-100.
  22. "Charles Taylor and the Inescapability of Frameworks." Eidos: The Canadian Graduate Journal of Philosophy, Volume XV, Number 1, January 1998. pp. 29-42.

Book Reviews

  1. Review of Religion in the University, by Nicholas Wolterstorff. Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship Newsletter, September, 2019.
  2. Review of Responses to the Enlightenment: An Exchange on Foundations, Faith, and Community, by William Sweet and Hendrik Hart. Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review Volume 53, Issue 1, 2014. pp. 189-193.
  3. Review of Eye of the Heart: Knowing the Human Good in the Euthanasia Debate by William Sullivan. Method: Journal of Lonergan Studies. Volume 2, No. 2, 2011. pp. 227-235.
  4. Review of Dividing the State: Legitimacy, Secession and the Doctrine of Oppression, by Paul Groarke. Etudes Maritainiennes/Maritain Studies, Volume 25, 2009.
  5. Review of The Ethics of Intensification: Agricultural Development and Cultural Change (Volume 16: The International Library of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Ethics), ed. Paul B. Thompson. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics. Volume 22, 2009. pp. 611-614.
  6. Review of Modern Cosmology and Philosophy, ed. John Leslie. Sophia: International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, Metaphysical Theology and Ethics. Volume 44, No. 1, 2005. pp. 135-139.
  7. Review of Religion of Technology: The Divinity of Man and the Spirit of Invention, by David F. Noble. Techné: Journal of the Society for Philosophy and Technology. Volume 9, No. 2, 2005. pp. 135-139.
  8. Review of The Good Rebel: Understanding Freedom and Morality, by Louis Groarke. Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review Volume XLIV, No. 1, 2005. pp. 198-201.
  9. Review of Religion If There Is No God: On God, The Devil, Sin and Other Worries of the So-Called Philosophy of Religion, by Leszek Kolakowski. Etudes Maritainiennes/Maritain Studies. XIX, 2003. pp. 113-115.
  10. "Maritain's Attempt at a Christian Response to Anti-Semitism." Review of Jacques Maritain and the Jews, ed. Robert Royal. In Etudes Maritainiennes/Maritain Studies. XVII, 2002
  11. "Fear And Loathing in the Global Village." Review of Globalization: The Human Consequences, by Zygmunt Bauman. Research in Philosophy and Technology. Volume 21, 2002. pp. 371-373.
  12. "The Rhetoric of Sharing the Earth." Review of Sharing the Earth: The Rhetoric of Sustainable Development, by Tarla Rai Peterson. Research in Philosophy and Technology. Volume 19, 2000.

Invited Lectures (Outside CBU) and Invited Conference Presentations

  1. "Public Schools as Multicultural Community Centres: A Missing Option." Panel: Religion and Education in Canada II, Canadian Society for the Study of Religion, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 2015.
  2. "Public Schools as Multicultural Community Centres: The Missing Option in the Debate About Public Funding of Religious Education." Paper presented at a symposium on "Democracy and Christian Faith" sponsored by Saint Dunstan's University Board of Governors in cooperation with the Centre for Philosophy, Theology and Cultural Traditions, St Francis Xavier University, SDU Place,Charlottetown PEI, November 20, 2010.
  3. "A Philosophy of Technology Perspective on James Rachels' Attack on the Distinction Between Killing and Letting Die." Presentation to the faculty and students of the St. Francis Xavier University Philosophy Department, Antigonish, 2007.
  4. With Dr. Stephen Haller. "The Role of Science in Public Policy: Higher Reason or Reason for Hire?" In Public Science in Canada: Proceedings of the Strengthening Science to Protect Canadians Symposium in Gatineau Quebec, Sept 6-7, 2007, by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada and the Institute on Governance, http://www.hyper-media.ca/pipsc/2007/downloads/presentations/03_gerrie-e.pdf.

Contributed (Non-invited) Papers/Abstracts at Conferences

  1. "Is Political Polarization in Democratic Societies a Result of Civilizational Collapse?" Paper presented to the Atlantic Region Philosophical Association Annual Meeting, University of PEI, Charlottetown, 2023.
  2. "Some Practical Implications of Richard M. Gale's Rejection of Practical Arguments for the Existence of God." Paper presented to the Canadian Jacques Maritain Association Annual Meeting, hosted by the Canadian Philosophical Association, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 2022.
  3. "Is Secularization a Case of Unwitting Ethnocide?" Paper presented to the Atlantic Region Philosophical Association Annual Meeting, Cape Breton University, Sydney, 2019.
  4. "The Emerging Middle Way of Accommodating Religion in Public Education: Why is Released Time Instruction Hosted in Public Schools Missing from the Debate?" Paper to be presented at the Canadian Jacques Maritain Association Symposium "Maritain and the philosophy of education," Dominican University College, Ottawa, 2018.
  5. "Is 'Secularization' a Case of Unwitting Ethnocide?" Paper to be presented at the conference "Proximity and Distance in Research and Teaching," Mount St. Vincent University, Halifax, 2018.
  6. "A Middle Way in Religious Education." Paper presented to the Atlantic Region Philosophical Association Annual Meeting, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, 2018.
  7. "Religious Decline, Multiculturalism and the Human Rights Legacy of Jacques Maritain." Paper presented to the Canadian Jacques Maritain Association, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, 2017.
  8. "Mainline Religious Decline, Multiculturalism and John Calvin." Paper presented to conference "Reformation and the City," McGill and Concordia Universities, Montréal, May 8-9, 2017.
  9. "Taylor's Modern Identity and the 'Atonement Muddle'." Paper presented at conference "The Idea of God," sponsored by the Department of Philosophy, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's Newfoundland, November 2016.
  10. "Public Schools as Multicultural Community Centres: A Missing Option in the Debate Regarding Public Support of Religious Education." Paper for the Canadian Theological Society, Annual Meeting, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 2015.
  11. "Does God Have an Obligation to Hide?" Paper presented to the Seminar Series in Religious Studies, St. Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2015.
  12. "A Case for Viewing Public Schools as Multicultural Community Centres." Paper presented to the Canadian Jacques Maritain Association Symposium "Jacques Maritain and Interreligious Dialogue," University of St. Michael's College, University of Toronto, Toronto, 2013.
  13. "Be it resolved that Quebec's proposed Charter of Values should be adopted." Debate with Dr. David Johnson, Dr. Andrew Malloy and Tom Urbaniak, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, 2013.
  14. "The Portrayal and Place of Women in Western Religious Traditions." Visiting speaker to "Introduction to Gender and Women's Studies" (GWST 1101) class taught by Chris Bailey, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, 2013.
  15. Commentary on The Ethics of Evangelism: A Philosophical Defence of Proselytizing and Persuasion by Elmer Thiessen for a book symposium sponsored by the Canadian Society of Christian Philosophers, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Frederickton, 2011.
  16. "A Proposal for How the Funding of Science Should be Divided Between the State and Private Interests." Paper presented at the Atlantic Region Philosophers Association Annual Meeting, University of King's College, Halifax, 15-16 October, 2010.
  17. Commentary on Responses to the Enlightment: An Exchange on Foundations, Faith, and Community by William Sweet and Henrik Hart for a book symposium sponsored by the Canadian Society of Christian Philosophers, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Concordia University, Montreal, 2010.
  18. "Using and Refusing: A Philosophy of Technology Critique of James Rachels' Attack on the Distinction Between Killing and Letting Die." Presentation to the 20th Annual Canadian Bioethics Conference, Hamilton, June 11 - 14, 2009.
  19. Workshop on "Socratic Assignments: How to Teach Students to Write Philosophically in One Lecture." The American Association of Philosophy Teachers, 2008 AAPT Workshop-Conference, University of Guelph, Guelph, August 6-8, 2008.
  20. "The Role of Science in Public Policy." Visiting speaker to "Science, Technology and Human Affairs" (PHIL 222) class taught by Andrew Reynolds, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, 2008.
  21. Commentary on Joel Buenting's paper "Can Someone Choose Hell?" presented to the Canadian Society of Christian Philosophers, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2008.
  22. Commentary on Redirecting Philosophy by Hugo Meynell for a book symposium sponsored by the Canadian Society of Christian Philosophers, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, 2007.
  23. "Is Miraculous Healing Really Possible?" Visiting speaker to "Health Psychology" (PSYC 325) class taught by Sue Korol, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, 2008.
  24. Commentary on William Sullivan's book Eye of the Heart: Knowing the Human Good in the Euthanasia Debate for a book symposium sponsored by the Canadian Society of Christian Philosophers, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, York University, Toronto, 2005.
  25. "The Republican War on Science: Just War or Unholy Crusade?" Paper presented to the Canadian Society for the Study of Practical Ethics, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, York University, Toronto, 2005.
  26. "Environmental Assessment and Public Participation." Paper presented to the Canadian Society for the Study of Practical Ethics, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, 2005.
  27. "A Response to Clark Pinnock's The Openness of God: Eschatology from a Naturalist And Inclusive Perspective." Paper presented to the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, 2005.
  28. Commentary on Michael Stoeber's paper "The Nature of the Person in Rebirth" presented to the Canadian Society of Christian Philosophers, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, 2005.
  29. "Three Species of Technological Dependency." Paper presented at conference entitled "Science, Values and Public Policy," Wilfrid Laurier University, Brantford, 2003.
  30. "The Technology of Choice and the Choice of Technology: George Grant's Disparate Ethical and Legal Positions on Abortion." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Ontario Philosophical Society. St. Jerome's University, Waterloo, 2002.
  31. "St. Thomas Meets Tony Robbins: The Untapped Environmental Potential of Natural Law." Paper presented to the Canadian Society of Christian Philosophers, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, 2002.
  32. "Mackie and the Hectoring Church Camp Speaker: Ruminations on the Merits of Cosmological Prophylactics." Paper presented to the Canadian Philosophical Association, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, 2001.
  33. Commentary on John Leslie's book Modern Cosmology and Philosophy for a book symposium co-sponsored by the Canadian Philosophical Association and the Canadian Society of Christian Philosophers, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, 2001. Available online at http://people.stfx.ca/wsweet/Leslie-Book-Symposium.htm
  34. "Canada's Lost Tradition of Technological Criticism." Paper presented at conference entitled "Lessons of History: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Past, Present and Future," Wilfrid Laurier University, Brantford, 2000.
  35. "Environmental Philosophy: Should We Preserve the Red Herring and Flounder?" Paper presented to the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Edmonton, Edmonton, 2000.
  36. Commentary on Hugo Meynell's paper "Two Ends of Practical Reason" presented to the Canadian Society of Christian Philosophers, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Edmonton, Edmonton, 2000.
  37. "Silence: The Medium of McLuhan's Ethical Message." Paper presented at conference entitled "The Medium as Message: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on the Relationship Between Theory and Contemporary Cultural Practices," University of Windsor, Windsor, 2000.
  38. "Innis, McLuhan and Grant and the Problem of Technological Dependence." Paper presented at conference entitled "Interdisciplinary Reflections on the Future" co-sponsored by Laurentian University and the journal Arachné, Sudbury, 1999.
  39. "Technology, Professional Policy Analysis and the Employment Crisis." Paper presented to the Canadian Society for the Study of Practical Ethics, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, 1998.
  40. "Technology and Three Canadian Thinkers: Innis, McLuhan and Grant." Paper presented to the University of Brock Philosophical Society and Royal Astronomical Society Joint Annual Conference, Brock University, St. Catharines, 1996.
  41. "Was Foucault a Philosopher of Technology?" Paper presented to the Canadian Philosophical Association for the Learned Societies of Canada Annual Conference, Brock University, St. Catharines, 1995.
  42. "Hegel, Frye and the Form of Comedy." Paper presented at the Canadian Philosophy Graduate Students Annual Conference, University of Western Ontario, London, 1994.
  43. "Does Morality Require Religion?" Debate with Dr. William Hughes for the University of Guelph Undergraduate Philosophical Association, Guelph, 1993. (Invited)

Artistic Exhibitions or Performances, Publications of Creative Writing

Theses

  1. Ph.D. Dissertation: Some Ethical and Public Policy Implications of Technological Dependency With Reference to the Works of Harold Innis, Marshall McLuhan and George Grant. University of Guelph-McMaster University, 1999.
  2. B.A. Honours Thesis George Grant and the Triumph of the Will. Mount Allison University, 1990.

Professional Practice

University Committees

Public and Community Contributions

2021-2023 Newman Society of CBU Board Member, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2019-2022 Member Pastoral Care Committee, United Heritage Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2018-2019 Steward, United Heritage Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2017-2018 Member at Large of Sydney-Victoria NDP Electoral District Association (EDA).
2015-2018 Member (and past chair) of Social Action Committee, United Heritage Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2015-2018 Chair of Benevolent Fund Sub-Committee, United Heritage Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2008-2015 Performer, The Apostle Thomas in "Last Supper Drama," United Heritage Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2009-2010 Member of Cape Breton Holocaust Education Committee, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2009-2013 Web Master for First United Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2007-2012 Canvasser for United Way, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2007-2012 Member of Electronic Media Ministries Committee and Ministry Discernment Committee, First United Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2008 (April 12) Organizer of Sydney Muslim Worshippers and First United Church "Get to Know You Event", Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2005 "Essay Writing in the Arts and Social Sciences." Address to Interdisciplinary Studies Gifted Program Students, Central High School, Burlington, Ontario.
2002 "What do Young Adults Want from the Church?" Address to the Men's Breakfast Club, Knox Church, St. Catharines, Ontario.
2000-2001 (Summers) Volunteer Instructor for Vacation Bible School, Knox Church, St. Catharines, Ontario.
1999-2000 Computers and Education Task Force, Knox Church, St. Catharines, Ontario.
1996-2002 Volunteer with the "Out of the Cold" programme, Knox Church, St. Catharines, Ontario.
1993-1994 Member, University of Guelph Educational Workers Organizing Committee (EWOC) for the Canadian Union of Educational Workers Local 13 certification drive, Guelph, Ontario.
1993-1994 Vice-President, University of Guelph Graduate Students Association, Guelph, Ontario.
1993 Ontario Government, Social Contract Act, Consultative Forum participant, Guelph, Ontario.
1993 (Summer) Administrative Assistant to Maribel Gonzalas, chief administrator for Canadian Office of the NGO, Development Workshop, Guelph, Ontario.
1989-1990 Residence Monitor, Mount Allison University, Sackville New Brunswick.
1987-1989 Chairperson of Student Christian Movement and New Democratic Youth, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick.
1989 (Summer) New Democratic Youth representative to the Thirteenth World Festival of Youth and Students, Pyonyang, North Korea (DPRK).
1988 (Summer) Travelled to Kenya and Tanzania on Canadian Theological Students Study Tour sponsored by the Canadian Ecumenical Forum.
1987 (Summer) Volunteered in Nicaragua with Tools for Peace, Student Christian Movement and Save the Children Fund Canada.
1986 Representative to International Youth Year Conference, Hamilton, Ontario.
1985-1986 Vice-President, United Nations Club at Aldershot High School, Burlington, Ontario.

Extension Publications and Activities

Publications

  1. Book recommendation "The Consolation of Philosophy" by Boethius for FirstPhilosophy.ca, 2021.

Publications Referencing My Programs, Source Code or Web Pages

  1. Dyer, Jason. "Basements and Beasties (1982)." Interactive Fiction and the All the Adventures Project (Blog), July 27, 2023. https://bluerenga.blog/tag/basements-and-beasties/.
  2. Critical Wranker. "The Story of how Survival Horror Mutated, and Evolved" Youtube, 22 Sept 2023. https://youtu.be/hREq1yOSQeY?si=Nv_6Ti04WX8pjnYo.
  3. Video Game History Project. "Star Trader" (1974) YouTube, 14 Mar 2022. https://youtu.be/2e0CTCIreAE.
  4. Madej, Krystina and Lee, Newton. Disney Stories: Getting to Digital Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature, 2021, p. 187.
  5. Type-in Mania "Australasian collection" The Australian Computer Museum Society Official Newsletter, 22 September 2021.
  6. Dyer, Jason. "The 6 Keys of Tangrin (1981)." Interactive Fiction and the All the Adventures Project (Blog), September 4, 2020. https://bluerenga.blog/2020/09/04/the-6-keys-of-tangrin-1981/.
  7. Reinhard, Andrew Douglas. "Archaeology of Digital Environments Tools, Methods, and Approaches." Doctoral Thesis, University of York Archaeology, November 2019. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/323057472.pdf
  8. Edwards, Benj. "This Old Tech: TRS-80 MC-10 Micro Color Computer Lives to Play Again." PCWorld, January 19, 2016. https://www.pcworld.com/article/419140/this-old-tech-trs-80-mc-10-micro-color-computer-lives-to-play-again.html

Activities

  1. "CBU 2030: Artificial Intelligence." Panel, Cape Breton University Grand Meeting, 2024.
  2. Interview regarding my book Technology and Society, by Mehdi Mohammadi, Ph.D. candidate in Rhetoric and Writing at the University of New Mexico, June 11, 2024.
  3. "Artificial Intelligence and Cape Breton Business." Panel, Cape Breton Chamber of Commerce/Island Sandbox, Cape Breton University, June 25, 2024.
  4. "Is Political Polarization in Democratic Societies a Sign of Civilizational Collapse?" Philosophy Café, Cape Breton University, January 25, 2024.
  5. "From Tiny Acorns: 10 Lost Genre-starting BASIC Games." the10 Networking Event, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Oct 7, 2021.
  6. "MC-10 Special!" CoCoTALK! The world's leading talk show featuring the Tandy Color Computer!. Episode 235, 2021.
  7. "Veterans Blast Decision to Drop Prayer from Remembrance Day Ceremony at C.B. School" with Wendy Bergfeldt. Mainstreet Cape Breton. CBC Radio Cape Breton, 31 October 2019.
  8. "Jim Gerrie Goodies - Surprise guests Steve Bjork and Neil Brookings!" CoCoTALK! The world's leading talk show featuring the Tandy Color Computer!. Episode 13, 2017.
  9. Three sessions for Capercon focussing on vintage computing systems: "Retrocomputing: Retrieving the Origins of the Information Age"; "Type-in Madness: When Apps Were Handcrafted"; and, "In Search of Colossal Cave: Uncovering the Original Text Adventure," 2016. See: Jim Gerrie: Putting a retro spin on CaperCon.
  10. "Mainline Religious Decline and Multiculturalism." Sabbatical Presentation, Cape Breton University, 2016.
  11. "Interview With Retrospectiva 2012 Winner, James Gerrie" with Pablo Roldan. In Revista de Tecnología Informática Histórica. Volúmen 3, Número 1, 2013.
  12. Public Lecture Series sponsored by First United Church Sydney Nova Scotia "Attendance Decline: Canada in Global Context" (2013)
  13. "Canada's religious community on the decline?" with Mathieu Evong. In The Surveyor: Journalism Program Online Newspaper, Holland College, P.E.I., Jan. 17, 2013.
  14. "Viewing Public Schools as Multicultural Community Centres" with Hal Higgins. Research at CBU Summer Series, CBC Radio Cape Breton, 2012.
  15. Presentation to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County "World Religions" (2011)

Competitive Programming Recognition

Work in Progress

Work Under Review

Writing Ideas

  1. "Is Political Polarization in Democratic Societies a Sign of Civilizational Collapse?" for Philosophy, Culture and Traditions.
  2. Book Proposal Religious Multiculturalism Versus Church-State Separation for Lexington Books.