Religious Studies departments, like many other departments in the humanities, have been under attack by legislators for their content and methods while simultaneously dealing with declining enrollments and interest from student populations. The impact of the pandemic and the changing shape of the modern university have only exacerbated the demand for thinkers and teachers of religion to reimagine the field, the delivery of content in the classroom, and the role of religious studies departments in the higher education landscape.  On this episode, panelists will explore the ways that creative and boundary-pushing Religious Studies departments have re-imagined themselves in the last 10 years, discuss the benefits and costs of new models in graduate education, and suggest the possible futures for the humanities and Religious Studies in light of the changing and often erratic political context.

September 15, 2022

Panelists:

Molly Bassett, Associate Professor, Georgia State University

Morgan Shipley, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Foglio Endowed Chair in Spirituality, Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies, Michigan State University

Kayla Renée Wheeler, Assistant Professor, Gender and Diversity Studies Program, Xavier University

Host:

Rachel Wheeler, Professor of Religious Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Author

The Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture
Institution

K-12, Community College, Public College or University, Private College or University, Seminary
Institution Type

Video
Resource Type

Intro, Undergraduate Course
Class Type

2022
Date Published

Religious Studies
Discipline

Atheism/Agnosticism/Skepticism, Buddhism, Catholic, General Comparative Traditions, Hinduism, Indigenous, Islam, Judaism, New Religious Movements, Other Christianities, Other Traditions, Protestant
Religous Tradition

Class/Power, Politics/Law/Government, Popular Culture/Media/Music/Sports, Pluralism/Secularism/Culture Wars
Topics