Religious Worlds of New York:
Teaching the Everyday Life of American Religious Diversity
The institute will bring twenty-five teachers from throughout the United States to New York City, to work with leading scholars of religion, meet with diverse religious leaders, visit local houses of worship, and conduct original field research. This combination of classroom and community-based education will:
~ Introduce teachers to American religious diversity
~ Help them distinguish between academic and devotional approaches to the study of religion
~ Give them the pedagogic tools they need to teach about contemporary lived religion
We hope you’ll apply! Past participants describe the institute as “my best professional development experience ever” and “one of the best learning experiences of my life” (see below for more evaluations). Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the religious worlds of New York.
Dates & Location: The institute will meet for three weeks, from July 14 to August 1, 2014, on the campus of Union Theological Seminary, in the Manhattan neighborhood of Morningside Heights.
Stipend: All NEH summer scholars will receive a $2,700 stipend to help pay travel, housing, and living expenses for the duration of the institute.
Applications are due by March 4, 2014. For more information
and application materials, please visit www.religiousworldsnyc.org.
The Religious Worlds institute is a project of:
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the Religious Worlds institute do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Voices and Faces of the 2012
Religious Worlds of New York Summer Institute
“A tremendous three weeks – my best professional development experience ever . . . . This is a seminar that is going to change teachers’ and students’ lives. No one could leave this three week, intensive immersion in the study of lived religion and not go back to teaching refreshed and invigorated.”
In the classroom with Dr. Robert Orsi
“The best professional development I’ve ever had, and one of the best learning experiences of my life. The institute has dramatically changed my understanding of religious studies, particularly in understanding the teaching of doctrine vs. lived religion. It has opened my eyes not just to content, but to how to teach (and not to teach) religion as part of my curriculum.”
“This was a truly amazing experience. As a middle school social studies teacher, I can’t think of a more valuable way of approaching such an important topic. . . . As a result of what I have learned, I now feel equipped to teach about religion in ways that avoid the dehumanizing broad brush strokes of the traditional comparative religions model.”
Site visit to the Chogyesa Zen Temple of New York
“Overall, the institute was fabulous. I will bring back to my students more knowledge of religious traditions, methods for teaching about religion, and exciting ways for them to discover religious life in their own area, which I believe will help to break down the barriers among different religious people.”
“A tremendous experience that will enrich the teaching that takes place in classrooms across the country for decades to come.”
“This experience was unique in its combination of academic instruction, pedagogic exploration, and opportunities to interact with a variety of religious people. This combination will help to bring new life to my teaching about religion.”
For more reflections from our 2012 summer scholars, see
www.religiousworldsnyc.org/about-page/participant-evaluations.
