Annual Meeting News Fall 2001 Published by the American Academy of Religion Vol. 16, No. 3 Countdown to Denver ...... 2 Everything you need to know to join c ITS TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP the world’s largest gathering of religion scholars Renew before December 31, 2001, and be eligible to win free Plenary speakers ...... 3 accommodations at the 2002 Annual Meeting in Toronto! James Cone and Joy Harjo to address For benefit and renewal information, see p. 6 members Reel Religion ...... 12 AAR Board takes action on From Princess Mononoke to Amiee & Jaguar, films at the Annual Meeting NAACP boycott of Adams Mark ...... 3 Denver FYI ...... 12 An Important Message to Members from the Executive Committee of the Board Religious sites, ecological tours, and other opportunities outside the Convention Center Candidates for Vice President, Chairs' Day-long workshop . . .7 Secretary, and Student Director announced ...... 4 How to evaluate excellent teaching Religion and Media ...... 8 Second year of online balloting for AAR volunteer leadership, October 1-31 A special Annual Meeting Workshop Especially for students Lilly Endowment supports teaching resources ....9 at the Annual Meeting ...... 14 Introduction to the AAR and more New online databank to be created by Lilly Workshop alums in Denver Focus on the profession Syllabus Project to be enhanced with in Denver ...... 12 A list of special sessions support from Carnegie Foundation ...... 9 Syllabus Project moves to www.aarweb.org

Spotlight on Teaching Martin E. Marty Award for the Public Religious Studies in Great Britain Understanding of Religion announced...... 11 David M. Knipe named recipient

FEATURES AAR honors excellence in religious studies ...... 6 Member-at-Large ...... 16 Monographs on Jerry Falwell, Dante, hearing things, and more Joe Price & the ritual of America's favorite pastime In the Public Interest ...... 21 AAR to support new translation projects...... 9 Elliot Wright on faith-based initiatives An interview with series editor Mark Csikszentmihalyi Department Meeting ...... 19 A conversation with MacKenzie Brown, Trinity College AAR recognizes journalists for best Research Briefing ...... 17 religion reporting ...... 8 James Hudnut-Beumler on the Material Religion Project Regional meetings announced...... 22 Beyond the Annual Meeting . .15 Richard Freund, Spotlight on Teaching Editor, talks about his tenure From the Student Desk ...... 18 SPECIAL PULLOUT: James F. Caccamo "Plays Fair with Others" West teaching workshop . . . . .18 Rudy Busto’s postcard from a global village Religious Studies News, AAR Edition 2001 AAR Staff Directory Kyle Cole, Ph.D. Heading West? Media Officer E-MAIL: [email protected] TEL: 404-727-4725 HE AAR EXECUTIVE OFFICE is Shaun Cox bustling with activity in preparation Deadlines Contacts Administrative Assistant T for the 2001 AAR Annual Meeting in E-MAIL: [email protected] Denver. From audio-visual and computer September 16 Membership Services TEL: 404-727-3049 company arrangements to transportation, “Advance” Registration period and rates E-MAIL: [email protected] drayage, on-site personnel, and music Barbara DeConcini, Ph.D. in effect. Executive Director and Treasurer selection for the AAR Members Reception, web: http://www.membership.aarweb.org E-MAIL: [email protected] pulling together the largest convention of its tel: 1-404-727-3049 TEL: 404-727-3049 kind takes a great deal of time and planning. October 1 Joe DeRose Pre-Registration for the Chairs Director of Membership and Technology Services. Registration and Hotel Reservations Managing Editor, Openings: Online Job And you? Workshop and the Religion & Media Workshop end. See page 7. Wyndham Jade - AAR Annual Meeting Opportunities for Scholars of Religion Are you ready for the 2001 AAR Annual E-MAIL: [email protected] Meeting? 6400 International PKWY STE 2500 TEL: 404-727-3049 October 16 Plano, TX 75093-8215 Ina Ferrell Accountant Have you paid your 2001 dues? “Regular” Registration period and rates TEL: 1-888-447-2321 (US & Canada) E-MAIL: [email protected] in effect. 1-972-349-7434 (outside US & If not, contact Membership Services at TEL: 404-727-2331 Canada) EIS Pre-registration ends, for more Edward R. Gray, Ph.D. E-MAIL: [email protected]; information see: http://www.aarweb.org/eis. FAX: 1-972-349-5443 Director of Academic Relations; Editor in Chief, Religious Studies News, AAR Edition WEB: http://www.membership.aarweb.org; KiddieCorp Childcare registration deadline. WEB: http://www.aarweb.org/annualmeet E-MAIL: [email protected] or TEL: 404-727-2270 John Harrison TEL: 1-404-727-3049 October 24 Travel Director of Finance and Operations/Deputy Special Housing rates end. Continue to Stellar Access, Inc. Executive Director Have you registered for the meeting? contact Wyndham Jade for any housing E MAIL TEL: 1-800-929-4242 (US & Canada) - : [email protected] questions. TEL: 404-727-7954 Confirmations with name badges and tote 1-619-232-4298 (outside US & Steve Herrick bag tickets are being mailed out now. Canada) Director of External Relations November 2 FAX:1-619-232-6497 (fax) E-MAIL: [email protected] Have you reserved your hotel room? Special Annual Meeting Tours sign-up TEL: 404-727-7948 WEB: http://www.aarweb.org/annualmeet ends. See page 12. Anne Kentch Rooms are filling quickly, so don’t delay. Office Manager; Production Manager, Religious Studies News, AAR Edition Have you made you travel November 5 E-MAIL: [email protected] arrangements? TEL: 404-727-3026 Refund request deadline for Annual For more Emily Noonan Don’t forget that fares are often lower when Meeting registration fees. Contact about the Project Assistant; Employment Information booked at least 21 days in advance. Wyndham Jade in writing. Services Center Coordinator Annual Meeting, E-MAIL: [email protected] November 8 TEL: 404-727-3049 Planning Your Meeting see the next page Shannon Planck Schedule Pre-meeting registration ends. All subsequent registrations must take and pages Annual Meeting Program Director So you’re all set to come to Denver and are E-MAIL: [email protected] place on site in Denver at the Colorado anxious to plan your schedule for the meeting 7, 10, 12, 13, 14 TEL: 404-727-7928 Convention Center, Lobby C. itself. Program books for the Annual Susan Snyder Meeting will be in the mail soon, but you Please see the Annual Meeting Media Referral Service Administrative Assistant need not wait. Check out the Online November 17 E-MAIL: [email protected] program book or the Program Program at http://www.aarweb.org. You can TEL: 404-727-4711 2001 AAR Annual Meeting begins at search the Online Program by day, pro- Highlights page at the Adam’s Mark Hotel and Colorado gram unit, session number, or title, theme, http://www.aarweb.org Religious Studies News, AAR Edition is Convention Center, Denver. published quarterly by the American Academy keyword, or participant name. for more information. of Religion four times a year as Winter, Spring, Fall, and Annual Meeting Issues. Letters to the editor and features examining professional issues in the field are welcome from all readers. Please send editorial pieces in electronic uncompressed file format only (MS Of special interest Word is preferred) to: [email protected].

Subscriptions to individuals and institutions to chairs in this issue are available. See www.aarweb.org/ publications/rsn for more information. Academic Relations Program ready to enroll department affiliates ...... See p.7 Deadlines for submissions: Winter: December 15 Chairs Annual Meeting Workshop Spring: March 15 on evaluating teaching...... See p.7 Fall: July 15 Advertising The Study of Religion Counts...... See p.3 For information on advertising, please see www.aarweb.org/publications/rsn Department Meeting: An interview with Publisher: Mackenzie Brown, Trinity College...... See p.19 American Academy of Religion 825 Houston Mill Road, NE Guide for Reviewing Programs in Religion Suite 300 and Theology available online ...... See p. 22 Atlanta, GA 30329 Editor-in-Chief: Online finding list ...... See p. 24 Edward R. Gray, Ph.D. Production Manager: Anne Kentch OUR NEW LOOK Layout: This issue inaugurates several new design elements. Most notably we have Jill Connolly, Decatur, GA switched to Pantone 201 red. By adapting one of AAR's official colors we © AAR, 2001 better reflect our identity as the AAR edition of Religious Studies News, AAR POSTMASTER: Downtown Denver Edition. We have also adapted a four column format for greater readability. Send address changes to Religious Studies News, RSN will also return to a quarterly publication schedule. Look for the AAR Edition, 825 Houston Mill Road, Atlanta,GA. special Annual Meeting Call for Papers issue in January 2002. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, GA. We hope readers will find these changes helpful ones.

2 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN ANNUAL MEETING AAR Annual Meeting at Adams Mark Hotel, Denver An Important Message to AAR Members from the Executive Committee of the Board support and encourage diversity within From the Executive Director’s Desk Denver to allow us even to consider relocat- Introduction the Academy." ing all our scheduled sessions out of the Late this summer a situation developed The AAR signed a contract in 1997 with Adam’s Mark (upwards of 100 sessions). that needed an official response by the the Denver Adam's Mark Hotel for our • We respect the U.S. judicial system, with Moving our meeting sessions to a venue AAR. In mid-July, the NAACP called for annual meeting in 2001. In 1999, five its presumption of innocence and its outside the city would make for impossibly a boycott against the Adam’s Mark Hotel participants in Black College Reunion, promise of due process under the law. long shuttle commutes and result in an chain because of a racial discrimination held at the Daytona Beach Adam's Mark inhospitable, fractured meeting. lawsuit against the chain (specifically Hotel, sued the hotel chain for alleged vio- • We recognize that the AAR is bound by regarding treatment of African American lations of the Civil Rights Act, Title II. legal contract with the Adam's Mark Financial Implications. If we were to break attendees at the Daytona Beach Adam’s Later the same year, the U.S. Department Hotel for our November 2001 meeting, our contract with the Denver Adam’s Mark, Mark during Black College Reunion). of Justice and the State of Florida joined a contract finalized some four years ago. the Academy would face staggering financial the suit. In February 2000, the NAACP losses, thus risking the AAR’s financial health As you know, the Denver Adam’s Mark is called for a boycott of Adam's Mark • We accept our fiduciary responsibility for and our services to members. the headquarters hotel for this year’s Hotels until a settlement was reached. the Academy, aware that the AAR would Annual Meeting. The action of the AAR HBE, the parent company of Adam's face staggering financial losses should we Program Books. In order to get the Board in response to the NAACP’s call for Mark, agreed to settle the suit with the fail to meet our legal obligations. Program Book into your hands as soon as a boycott of the Adam’s Mark speaks for plaintiffs for $8 million in March 2000. possible, the room locations of AAR itself. Here I want simply to emphasize a This settlement was later rejected by the sessions were not included because of couple of the administrative constraints federal court in the State of Florida on the Action uncertainties created by the call for a that influenced the Board’s decision and basis that the case did not qualify as a class We are confronted by an evolving boycott at press time. You can find room course of action. action suit. When the court disallowed the situation — one in which the current state locations in the online program settlement, the original parties to the dis- of the conversation between the NAACP (www.aarweb.org/annualmeet/2001/ Our Contract with Adam’s Mark. We pute attempted once again to negotiate a and the Adam's Mark Hotels is unresolved pbook/pbook.asp ) and in the onsite signed contracts with the Denver Adam’s settlement. In recent months, these con- and the judicial case has not yet been heard. Annual Meeting Program At-A-Glance. Mark Hotel, the Denver Convention tinued negotiations have broken down. At Granted this situation and the logistical Center, and the Society of Biblical its annual meeting in July 2001, the impossibility of any large-scale relocation You have our assurance that our upcoming Literature for our November 2001 annual NAACP renewed its call for a boycott of at this stage of planning, we have decided Annual Meeting in Denver will run meeting back in 1997, two years before the the Adam's Mark Hotels. The original suit that we must proceed with our annual smoothly and well. Judging from the pro- event that sparked this discrimination case is scheduled for hearing late in 2001. meeting at the Adam's Mark Hotel in gram and preregistrations, it promises to occurred. As is standard, our contract calls Denver this November. We resolved that be one of our strongest ever! For more for penalties on either side if the contract is Since the Denver Adam's Mark Hotel is we will not plan any future meetings at information on the discrimination suit breached. These penalties increase as the the headquarters for the AAR Annual Adam's Mark Hotels until this situation against the Adam’s Mark, the NAACP’s meeting dates approach, such that at six Meeting this November, it is important has been satisfactorily resolved and the call for a boycott, and the AAR’s response months out we became responsible for the that the Academy's leadership address this boycott has been lifted. — and to give us your feedback — please total value of the contracted business, situation. At its meeting on August 18, visit our website at www.aarweb.org. whether or not we actually use the facility. 2001, the Executive Committee of the While it is impossible to relocate the pro- Board of Directors resolved the following gram sessions scheduled for the Adam's Yours, Alternative Meeting Spaces. We cannot by unanimous agreement: Mark, we will move all AAR plenary ses- Barbara DeConcini locate adequate meeting space in downtown sions out of the Adam's Mark, including the Presidential Address, the Opening Principles Reception, and the Annual Business In determining the AAR's response to this Meeting Breakfast. By this action of moving Harjo and Cone Offer situation, we have acted on the following all official sessions "of the whole" from the principles: hotel, we intend to signal our concern over Plenary Addresses the allegations of racial discrimination. • We respect the NAACP as the nation's ENOWNED POET, writer and oldest and largest civil rights organiza- We call upon all parties to the dispute to musician, Joy Harjo was born in tion and support the NAACP in calling resolve this issue in good faith and with all RTulsa and is an enrolled member of for equal justice for all citizens. We rec- due speed. the Muscogee Nation. She has published ognize and decry the history of racism six books of poetry, numerous articles, and in our country and acknowledge its AAR Executive Committee made several CDs. Her most recent book enduring power and consequences. Our Members present: of poetry is entitled A Map to The Next by-laws explicitly reject all forms of dis- Rebecca S. Chopp, President World (W.W. Norton), which will also be criminatory behavior in the Academy, Vasudha Narayanan, President-Elect the theme of her plenary address. and our mission statement makes clear Robert Orsi, Vice President that the AAR has a core commitment to William K. Mahony Her presence in Denver at the AAR "welcome into our conversation the var- Mary McGee Annual Meeting will bring Ms. Harjo back ious voices in the field of religion and to Glenn Yocum to her musical beginnings as it was there she took up the saxophone. Her band, Joy Harjo and Poetic Justice, combines poetry with music involving elements of tribal The Study of Religion Counts: What We musics, jazz, and rock. Ms. Harjo has attended the Institute of American Indian Know (and What We Don’t) About the Arts and the Anthropology Film Center, Shape of the Field and earned degrees from the University of Joy Harjo New Mexico and the University of Iowa (creative writing). She has taught at Arizona State University, Santa Fe and teaching are in Christian theology, A Special Topics Forum at the Annual Meeting Community College, the Institute of with special attention to Black theology American Indian Arts, the University of and the theologies of Africa, Asia, and Saturday, November 17, 1:00 pm-3:30 pm Colorado, the University of Arizona, and Latin America, as well as twentieth-century the University of New Mexico. Harjo’s European-American theologies. address will be Saturday, November 17 at James B. Wiggins, Syracuse University, Presiding 11:30 am-12:30 pm. He is the author of eleven books and over From September 2000 to April 2001, reflections on what the data reveal about 50 articles and has lectured at more than department chairs and program heads in the state of the field; and a discussion of James Cone attended Shorter College 800 universities and community religion and theology at fully accredited measures needed for filling lacunae in our (1954-56) and holds a B.A. from Philander organizations throughout the United colleges and universities across North knowledge. Questions from the floor will Smith College (1958). He received his States, Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America America responded to the AAR’s Census be especially invited. Panelists include B.D. from Garrett Theological Seminary and the Caribbean. He is best known for of Religion and Theology Programs Edward R. Gray, American Academy of (1961); the M.A. and Ph.D. from his groundbreaking works, Black Theology supported by a grant from the Lilly Religion; Lance Selfa, National Opinion Northwestern University (1963 and 65, and Black Power (1969) A Black Endowment. This special topics forum Research Center; Jonathan Z. Smith, respectively). Dr. Cone has been conferred Theology of Liberation (1970), God of the includes a report on what has been learned University of Chicago; and Linell E. Cady, eight honorary degrees, including a Doctor Oppressed (1975) and Martin and Malcolm from the census about programs, faculty, Arizona State University. of Divinity (2000) from Garrett and America: A Dream or a Nightmare and enrollments at the undergraduate Evangelical-Theological Seminary. He is (1991). His most recent publication is level; a summary of the research design See the special Census 2000 pullout also an ordained minister in the African Risks of Faith (1999). Cone’s address will be and data collection strategies deployed; section for a profile of the field. Methodist Episcopal Church. His research Sunday, November 18 at 7:15 pm-8:15 pm. Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 3 Religious Studies News, AAR Edition

AAR Election Call for Nominations for Nominations Committee.” The Nominations Committee will continue its practice of consultations during the How to Vote Annual Meeting in Denver to begin the All members of the Academy are entitled to A Message From The AAR Nominations Committee process for selecting nominees for Vice vote for all officers. The elected candidates President to take office in November 2003. will take office at the end of the 2001 The committee takes seriously all Annual Meeting. The Nominations Committee is pleased to be able to place such excellent recommendations by AAR members. candidates on the ballot, and we are grateful to them for their willingness Please visit the AAR Web site at to serve the Academy. This year, members will elect a vice president, The following characteristics regularly surface in http://www.aarweb.org (or, if you do not discussions of candidates for Vice-President: secretary, and student director. have e-mail, return your paper ballot) by October 31, 2001 to exercise this important Once again, AAR members will be able to vote by electronic ballot. A paper (a) Scholarship: “represents the mind of the membership right. ballot will be mailed to members without e-mail addresses on file. We hope that academy,” “international reputation,” “breadth this convenience will again result in a larger percentage of members participating of knowledge of the field,” “widely known.” in the election. (b) Service to the Academy: “serves the Vice President Online voting will be conducted via the “Members Only” page of the AAR’s academy broadly conceived,” “gives The vice president serves on the Executive, papers regularly,” “leads sections,” “chairs Program, and Long-Range Planning and Web site. Go to the site at http://www.aarweb.org, and click on the prominent committees,” “supports regional work.” Development Committees, as well as on the link for “AAR Election.” From there, you will be asked for your member ID Board of Directors. He or she will be in number and your last name. After you are logged in, simply follow the prompts (c) General: “electable,” “one the average line to be confirmed president-elect in 2003 to cast your ballot. Your vote is completely confidential. member of the Academy will look upon and president in 2004. During her or his with respect,” “one whose scholarship and tenure, the vice president will have the manner is inclusive rather than narrow, opportunity to affect AAR policy in power- Sincerely yours, sectarian, and/or exclusive.” ful ways; in particular, during the presiden- Raymond B. Williams, Chair tial year, the incumbent will have the Nominations Committee Please send your recommendations of persons authority to appoint new people to any the committee should consider to the AAR open committee slots during that year. Executive Office marked “Recommendations

Office of Vice President Jane Dammen McAuliffe Jane Dammen her MA and PhD in religious studies from McAuliffe is Dean the University of Toronto. She has published Don Browning of the College at primarily in the areas of Qur’anic studies and Don Browning The Journal of Religion, The Annual of Georgetown Muslim-Christian relations. Titles include is Alexander Christian Ethics, Zygon, Theology Today, University and Qur’anic Christians: An Analysis of Classical Campbell Union Seminary Quarterly Review, Dialog, Professor in the and Modern Exegesis (Cambridge, 1991), Professor of Society, and Family Relations. Browning is Department of Abbasid Authority Affirmed: The Early Years of Religious Ethics the editor or general editor of 38 books. History and the al-Mansur (SUNY, 1995) and With Reverence and the Social He has served as co-editor of the fourth Department of for the Word: Medieval Scriptural Interpretation Sciences at the edition of Die Religion in Geschichte und Arabic. She came to Georgetown in 1999 in Judaism, Christianity and Islam (Oxford, Divinity School Gegenwart and of The Journal of Religion from the University of Toronto where she was forthcoming). Presently she is the general of the University (1990-1995). He is associate editor of Professor of Islamic Studies in the editor of a five-volume Encyclopaedia of the of Chicago. He received his Ph.D. from Zygon, and is on the editorial board of Department for the Study of Religion, which Qur’an (Brill, 2001), the first volume of Chicago in 1964, and joined the faculty Pastoral Psychology, Journal of Pastoral Care, she chaired, and in the Department of Near which has just been published. McAuliffe’s in 1965. He has served as Dean of the The Toronto Journal of Theology, The and Middle Eastern Civilizations. Previously work has been supported by a National Disciples Divinity House of the University International Journal of Practical Theology, she had been on the faculty of the Candler Endowment for the Humanities fellowship of Chicago (1977-1983). He was found- and The International Journal of Education School of Theology at Emory University and (1992), a Mellon Foundation fellowship ing chair of the AAR section, “Religion and Religion. served as an associate dean there. McAuliffe (1994), a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship and the Social Sciences,” and has been a Browning received Doctor of Divinity received her AB in Philosophy and Classics (1996), and a Guggenheim Foundation member of the “Personality, Culture, and Degrees from Central Methodist College from Trinity College, Washington, D.C. and fellowship (1997). Religion” group. He was founding presi- (1984), Christian Theological Seminary dent of the International Academy of (1990), and the University of Glasgow Statement on the AAR Practical Theology (1991-1995). (1998). He was a Guggenheim Fellow in S THE LARGEST and most com- research or institutional initiatives for on-line Browning is the author of nine books. 1975-76. He has received four grants from prehensive professional association education and distance learning, we are all fac- They include National Book Award final- the Lilly Endowment, Inc. as principal for the study of religion, the AAR A ing extraordinary and rapid technological ren- ist in philosophy and religion, Generative investigator of the Religion, Culture, and provides for its members a venue for their ovation. Issues of intellectual property rights Man (1973), Pluralism and Personality: Family Project. Through a Lilly continuing scholarly development. For those and the swift increase of for-profit ventures William James and Some Cultures of Endowment grant, he is funder and senior of us who study, teach and write about reli- within the world of higher education add to Psychology (1980), Religious Thought and consultant for the forthcoming PBS two- gion, the AAR offers a way to create commu- the complexity. Further, the conversion of the Modern Psychologies (1987), and A hour documentary titled “Marriage: Is it nities of colleagues and to foster the trans- scholarly resources from print-based to digi- Fundamental Practical Theology (1991). Just a Piece of Paper?” In 2001-2002, university development of our discipline. tized formats is affecting both our university He is co-author of From Culture Wars to Browning will be Visiting Woodruff Recent initiatives by the AAR will increase libraries and our own forms of publication. Common Ground (1997, 2000) and Professor in the Center for the substantially our ability to track institutional Reweaving the Social Tapestry: Toward a Interdisciplinary Study of Religion at changes in our field, to support good depart- We are not teaching the same students that Public Philosophy and Policy for Families Emory University. mental leadership and to ensure more ade- we did even a few decades ago. While some (2002). Browning has published articles in quate and accurate media representation of schools have maintained a homogeneous religious belief and practice. Excellent execu- continuity within their student cohorts, Statement on the AAR tive leadership as well as the more broadly many others have experienced dramatic HE AAR is the world’s leading organi- participatory involvement of our colleagues AAR is poised to make a monumental contri- demographic change. The ever-increasing zation for the study of religion. It have propelled the AAR forward within the bution to balancing the one-sided character of richness of the North American social fabric simultaneously encourages three last decade in the categories of membership, T the globalizing process that we witness daily. brings a welcome diversity of religion, ethnic- inquiries — the historical and social scientific financial stability and prominence among ity, race, gender and age into our lecture and study of religion, comparative studies, and academic professional societies. We are, I find it enormously satisfying to traverse the seminar rooms. It also brings a renewed critical or normative studies. Its genius is that therefore, well-positioned to address some of halls of the AAR’s Annual Meeting — attend- attention to the intellectual issues of identity, it has held these three interests together. It has the new challenges facing our discipline with- ing a session on the social-science study of representation and authority. done so with increasing in the context of North American higher religion, then one on ethics, then one on the attention to religious and national diversity education. Among these challenges I would philosophy of religion, then one As a field, the study of religion has always been on a world scale. A significant feature of the include (1) the technological transformation dealing with theology — and to observe interdisciplinary and international. The reli- AAR is the extension of its membership of post-secondary education, (2) the rapid scholars from around the world discussing gions that we study cross national borders and beyond the shores of North America to demographic changes in our classrooms and issues in these various fields. The task of the the methods that we use cross disciplinary include scholars from Europe, Australia, Asia, (3) the continuously increasing international- AAR is to intensify and deepen these boundaries. We are ideally situated, therefore, Africa, and South America. It has become the ization and interdisciplinarity of our various exchanges. We should bring the historical, to contribute significantly to conversations center of a new global conversation — one areas of research and teaching. comparative, and critical studies of religion within the academy about reshaping the aca- that is not driven solely by technology and into creative discussion with one another, and demic agenda and to advance initiatives within the market but instead motivated by free We are all caught in the current maelstrom of do this with an eye to the needs of the emerg- and among our universities that increase inquiry into the historical, comparative, and changes being wrought by technology within ing world community. I would like to con- opportunities for international teaching, critical understanding of the great religious our universities, colleges and seminaries. tribute to this process. research and scholarly collaboration. traditions of the planet Earth. The Whether it is web-assisted instruction and ELECTIONS continues on p.5 4 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN NEWS

ELECTIONS, from p.4 Office of Student Director Office of Secretary Richard Amesbury John Stratton Hawley Richard Amesbury is a Advisory Board of the Harvard Foundation John Stratton Hawley 1996). Others range more widely, especially doctoral candidate in for Intercultural and Race Relations and (a.k.a. Jack) is professor toward comparative questions: Saints and Philosophy of Religion taught English for two years in Guam, where of religion at Barnard Virtues (California, 1987), Studying the Sikhs in Claremont Graduate he grew up. His article “The Truth of College, Columbia (SUNY, 1993), Fundamentalism and Gender University’s School of Religion and Religious Truths” is forthcoming University, and chair of (Oxford, 1994). Several of these were cooper- Religion. He received in the International Journal for Philosophy of the department. As a ative ventures-with Mark Juergensmeyer, an A.B. in Religion. He currently is working on a disser- kid, he remembers cel- Gurinder Singh Mann, and Donna Wulff. Government from Harvard University in tation on the relation between philosophy ebrating the Protestant narrative of America’s His major work on the Sursagar, North India’s 1994 and a Diploma in Theology, with a dis- and social criticism and will be presenting manifest religious destiny, yet wondering preeminent collection of Krishna poetry, has tinction in Philosophy of Religion, from some of his research in a joint session of the what it would have been like to be born on just been completed (Sur’s Ocean). This clears Oxford University in 1997. Rich has served as Theology and Continental Philosophy Group the other side of the globe. Did he have an the way for new projects that revisit “manifest a member of the AAR’s Student Liaison and the Pragmatism and Empiricism in invisible twin in Thailand? His education destiny” in an America whose religious land- Group for the past two years. He also has American Religious Thought Group at the closed in on this question gradually, moving scape has utterly changed: one on Hindus in held a variety of research and teaching assist- upcoming annual meeting in Denver. His from a B.A. in Renaissance history (Amherst, New York, and one on contrasting visions of antships and fellowships and is a part-time areas of interest include contemporary analyt- 1963) to an M. Div. focusing on Hebrew religious retreat (God’s Vacation). instructor at Harvey Mudd College in ic philosophy of religion, ethics, Kierkegaard, Bible (Union Theological Seminary, 1966), Claremont. In addition to being active in deconstruction, pragmatism, critical theory to a two-year stay in Jerusalem, and a Ph.D. From the late 80s well into the 90s, Hawley campus affairs, he has served on the Student and philosophy of language. in Hinduism and comparative religion was director of Columbia’s Southern Asian Statement on the AAR (Harvard, 1977). Institute and its federally funded National Resource Center for South Asia. He has LTHOUGH THE AAR has recently another, affect us all. For example, the finan- Most of Hawley’s books explore aspects of received multiple awards from the National decided to begin extending member- cial constraints that have led many institutions Hindu religion, often featuring gender: At Endowment for the Humanities, the Aships to institutions, its primary to replace tenured faculty with adjuncts are Play with Krishna (Princeton, 1981); The Smithsonian, and the American Institute of responsibility, as the largest professional organi- felt especially acutely by students, who are Divine Consort (GTU,1982), Krishna, the Indian Studies, and has been a Guggenheim zation of its kind in the field of religion, adversely affected by the paucity of both Butter Thief (Princeton, 1983); Sur Das: Poet, Fellow. He was principal editor for Indian remains to its 9000 individual members, near- faculty mentors and, in due course, profes- Singer, Saint (Washington and Oxford, 1984); religions when the Encyclopedia Britannica ly one-third of whom are students. As the only sional opportunities. Another issue of concern Songs of the Saints of India (Oxford, 1988); recently revised its articles in that area for student representative on the Board of to many, which has special implications for Sati, the Blessing and the Curse (Oxford, Merriam-Webster’s Encyclopedia of World Directors, the Student Director’s role is there- students, is the rising cost of attending the 1994); Devi: Goddesses of India (California, Religions (1999) and www.britannica.com. fore a crucial one. The AAR currently is served AAR’s annual meeting. While everyone is by an outstanding group of student liaisons, affected to some extent by this increase, the Statement on the AAR who are doing an excellent job of promoting people most affected by it are those who typi- HE AAR has made dramatic gains since English-language categories be bent and sup- and facilitating student involvement in the cally have the least money and institutional its conversion from a life of sin under planted by notions about how religion works AAR and its various activities at more than 40 support, namely students. I propose to work earlier names in 1963. Especially impor- elsewhere. Finally, we should pay particular institutions. I believe strongly that communi- closely with other liaisons and student mem- T tant to me is the work of intellectual retooling attention to the new realities of religious cation needs to continue to flow freely in both bers to ensure that the AAR remains respon- that has made the AAR perhaps the premier convergence and translation that happen all directions, and that these liaisons should be sive to these and other issues of concern, resource supporting the paradigm now domi- the time in today’s USA, especially in the given additional opportunities not only to rep- ranging from how to make child-care services nant in the study of religion, namely, the idea metropolitan centers but also well beyond. resent the AAR to their fellow students, but to a permanent fixture at conferences to the of “world religions.” represent the ideas and concerns of their fellow possibility of expanding the scope of the I spent this last summer working in a place students to the AAR. I believe that the entire AAR’s Employment Information Service to Yet as I have learned from recently teaching a that feels entirely different from workaday, academy can benefit from the input of its stu- include additional career opportunities for graduate seminar on the display and institu- global New York. It’s the Congregational dent members, who often experience first- scholars of religion in fields such as publish- tionalization of that concept over the last 100 Summer Assembly of Frankfort, Michigan, hand the impact of policies that, in one way or ing, the media, and the non-profit sector. years, we still have a way to go in divesting it the launching pad for a new comparative of its strong Christian biases and its deep book I’m planning on American religious Doug Padgett implication in the history of Western imperial- retreats, called God’s Vacation. It’s brought Doug Padgett is a College and at I.U. Doug has been widely ism. The AAR should continue to press me again face to face with the subtle ways in doctoral candidate in involved in student organizations. At the beyond the old “world religions” paradigm which the thing we call “religion” is so intri- religious studies at University of Florida, he chaired the annual toward a new globalism resonating to transna- cately plotted — in individual lives, in the Indiana University Graduate Student Forum, a two-day tional flows that move in multiple directions, realities of scarcity and abundance, in mem- (I.U.). He received his research colloquium. He served on the not just concentrically outward from the West. ory, performance, and dream. The AAR’s B.A. in English and AAR’s Student Liaison Group for several We should do this by cultivating new relation- unruly structure registers these surprises and religion from Duke years and chaired Indiana’s student ships with organizations that foster the aca- complexities remarkably well. Constraining University and, after a stretch in the navy, University Life and Student Rights commit- demic study of religion beyond the Western them in a zillion conference rooms at our an M.A. in religion from the University of tees. He also spent a term on the I.U. world. (In some cases, this may mean helping annual meeting is ridiculous on the face of Florida. He has also studied in Hanoi, Associate Instructor Grievance Committee, to create and foster such organizations.) We it, and perhaps that’s just the perspective we Vietnam. Doug’s research interests are a panel for resolving disputes between teach- should also watch for opportunities to let our need to keep us laughing. Vietnamese and Chinese Buddhism, anthro- ing assistants and their employers. Doug pology of religion, and globalization and has published and presented papers on the social change. He has recently embarked on study of religion in diaspora and on Susan Henking a dissertation on Vietnamese religion in the Buddhist consumption practices in North aftermath of war and exile. Doug has been America. His most recent paper, “Between Susan Henking Teaching Prize in 1992. In addition to her a teaching assistant in Asian religions, East Home and Homelessness: The Vietnamese received her B.A. from work as scholar and teacher, Susan has signifi- Asian Buddhism, North American religious Practice of Exile,” was presented in May Duke University and cant administrative experience as Acting Dean history, and religion and popular culture. 2001 at Vietnam: Beyond the Frontiers, a both the M.A. and of Faculty and Acting Provost at Hobart and He has also taught courses at Franklin conference at UCLA. Ph.D. from the William Smith. She is looking forward with University of Chicago glee to a sabbatical some day soon. Statement on the AAR Divinity School in “Religion and Psychological Studies.” She has Susan Henking has been involved with AAR HE PROFESSIONAL LIFE of a new deliberation among students and begun to worked on the historical relationship of work for many years. After arriving in the scholar is still an anxious one. While open avenues of communication with other Protestantism to the rise of American sociolo- Eastern International Region in late 1987, she the prospects for today’s religious studies constituents of the organization. Along the T gy, the place of religion in AIDS-related became Secretary for the region in 1991 and students are exciting, the twin perennial trials way, the student experience of the annual memoirs, and the intersection of lesbian/gay served in that capacity until 1997. During of graduate student life remain: to obtain an meeting has become a bit less intimidating. studies with religious studies. She taught at that period, she was also a member of the education with health and wellbeing intact Still, there is much to be done if we are to the Social Sciences Collegiate Division of the Board of Directors. In 1992, she was a co- and, then, find gainful, relevant employment. keep pace with the changing needs of our stu- University of Chicago, Western Illinois facilitator of an AAR/Lilly teaching workshop. But research funds for students are, compared dents and our profession. I am convinced that University and Colgate University, prior to More recently, she has hosted the regional to other disciplines, inadequate to the task. a strong student voice can impart real benefits her arrival at Hobart and William Smith meeting at Hobart and William Smith The job market continues to be tight and to students and throughout the academy. Colleges where she has taught since 1988 and Colleges and is the founding series editor of adjunct positions are, quite simply, a fact of More critically than ever, that voice needs to where she won the Faculty Distinguished the AAR/Oxford University Press series, life in the current climate. While many such be heard today. Over the last few years, I have “Teaching Religious Studies.” issues must be addressed at local or national had the pleasure of working with some excep- levels, the effects of changes in higher educa- tional student liaisons and others interested in Statement on the AAR tion are felt throughout the academy. In creating new professional, educational, and recent years, the AAR has done its part to scholarly possibilities within religious studies. Y INVOLVEMENT with the development, my development as a teacher, respond by directing initiatives with students As student director, I hope to continue that American Academy of Religion has and my understanding of religious studies as a in mind. By organizing the Student Liaison work by bringing students, the AAR, and Mbeen critical to my intellectual Group and a number of annual meeting pro- departments into conversation See HENKING, p.6 grams, the AAR has created spaces for open See PADGETT, p.6 Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 5 Religious Studies News, AAR Edition

PADGETT, from p.5 and the SLG are positioned to reach out on such topics to students and the AAR at large. on ways to facilitate graduate student success in Such outreach is essential. It ensures that the specific areas: teaching and research, the search organization’s programs are always relevant, AAR honors excellence for funding, and professional development and known, and accessible. Through consistent, employment. In recent years, students have frank communication followed by thoughtful in religious studies discussed, among other proposals, developing action, your place as students in the AAR can more focused professional training programs become more than a professional necessity, but a monographs and a funding database. The student director vital and mutually productive presence as well. Recipients of the 2001 Awards for Excellence in Religious Studies and the Best First Book in the History of Religions. Membership in the AAR For more information on the award categories and past Your dues not only maintain your membership in the largest organization dedicated to receipients, please see http://www.aarweb.org/awards/book.asp. the study of religion; they also help fund programs that advance scholarship and teach- ing and serve your professional needs. Awards will be presented at the Annual Meeting in Denver immediately before the Presidential Address on Saturday, November 17, 2001. As an individual member, you receive: • The Journal of the American Academy • In conjunction with the Annual Analytical-Descriptive Studies of Religion (quarterly) Meeting, the largest four-day religion & theology bookstore in the • Religious Studies News, AAR Edition world, with the greatest discounts Susan Friend Harding, • E-Bulletin offered University of California, • Special AAR discounts on other Santa Cruz • the Annual Meeting Call for Papers scholarly journals in the field The Book of Jerry Falwell: • Membership Directory online • Spotlight on Teaching and Fundamentalist Language • Openings (in electronic format) • Access to: and Politics • the Annual Meeting Program • Research Grants Princeton University • Awards for Teaching, Publication, (advance and on-site, in print and & Service Press, 2000 electronic formats) • Employment Information Services • Deeply discounted Annual Meeting • Leadership education opportuni- ties Constructive-Reflective Studies registration fees and • Public Religion Initiatives hotel rates (the lowest among the 12 • Regional Programs largest ACLS societies!) • Teaching Support J. J. Clarke, Peter S. Hawkins, Please renew your membership now, and consider making an additional contribution to the Kingston University Boston University AAR’s Annual Fund. Membership dues cover only 30% of the cost of services provided. Renew online: www.aarweb.org/renewal. Or contact us at TEL: 1-404-727-3049; E-MAIL: The Tao of the Dante’s Testaments: [email protected]. West: Western Essays in Scriptural Transformations Imagination Please see the Membership page, www.aarweb.org/membership. of Taoist Thought Stanford University Routledge, 2000 Press, 1999

Historical Studies Jacqueline I. Stone, Princeton University Leigh Eric Schmidt, Princeton University Original Enlightenment and Hearing Things: the Transformation Religion, Illusion, of Medieval Japanese and the American Buddhism Enlightenment University of Harvard University Hawaii Press, 1999 Press, 2000

Best First Book in the History of Religions

Jason David Beduhn, Northern Arizona University Jonathan Klawans, The Manichaean Body: Boston University In Discipline and Ritual Impurity and Sin in Johns Hopkins Ancient Judaism University Press, Oxford University 2000 Press, 2000

HENKING, from p.5 understand religion — is critical to how we act as agents for social justice in coming professional arena. I am indebted to the years. For me, the challenge is to do so many colleagues who have welcomed me to with a nontheological approach in a culture the ongoing discussion which is religious which is shaped by particular theologies, to studies and hope to continue to repay that do so in a critical manner without suc- debt through continuing service to the cumbing to over-simplified nihilism, to AAR. I believe the American Academy of focus on justice without abandoning the Religion is a central locus for debate about strengths of academic inquiry associated religion and a key player in helping us to with “objectivity,” to do so with a feminist define and strengthen the academic study edge in an academy and a social order of religion. This is crucial as we move into which is experiencing significant backlash. the 21st century, as religion continues to The AAR is key to ensuring that we are play a significant role in defining most peo- responsible to these challenges as we edu- ple’s lives. How we understand religion — cate new generations of global citizens and and how we help students and others new generations of the professorate.

6 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN NEWS

Workshop presenter, Dr. Peter Seldin is Distinguished Professor at Pace Chairs’ Day-long Workshop to focus University, Pleasantville, New York. A behavioral scientist, educator, author, and on evaluating teaching specialist in the evaluation and develop- ment of faculty and administrative performance, he has been a consultant to Academic Relations Task Force announces preliminary program more that 250 colleges and universities throughout the United States and in 30 for a specially designed workshop for department chairs countries around the world. Pressing theme identified for grant from the Lilly Endowment), will “Chairs have told us that evaluating teaching His books include: Changing Practices in precede the 2001 Annual Meeting on is a pressing concern and that better tools are Evaluating Teaching (1999), The Teaching Denver event Friday, November 16, 2001. A presentation needed,” Frisina told RSN. “That’s why we Portfolio, Second Edition (1997), Improving College Teaching (1995), Successful Use of ARREN FRISINA, Chair of on evaluating teaching will be led by have chosen this theme for the second in a Teaching Portfolios (1993), The Teaching the Academic Relations Peter Seldin, a nationally recognized series of workshops especially designed for Portfolio (1991), How Administrators Can W Task Force, announced expert on teaching. Several experienced chairs,” Frisina continued. Last year, the Improve Teaching (1990), Evaluating and plans for a second daylong workshop department chairs, representing different workshop drew fifty participants most of Developing Administrative Performance for department chairs convening before institutional sectors, will respond. The whom rated the experience “very satisfactory.” (1988), Coping With Faculty Stress the Annual Meeting. The workshop, workshop will frame the evaluation of (1987), Changing Practices in Faculty part of the AAR’s Strengthening College teaching as part of a programmatic effort To register for the Workshop complete the Evaluation Programs (1980), Teaching and University Religion and Theology for advancing the religion department. form below or go online to: Professors to Teach (1977), and How Programs initiative, (supported by a www.aarweb.org/department. Colleges Evaluate Professors (1975).

Scholars to Evaluating Teaching and Advancing Schools activities the Religious Studies Department at the Annual Meeting An Annual Meeting Chairs Workshop

Scholars to Schools Friday, November 16, 2001, Denver, CO Part of the AAR’s strengthening College and University Religion & Theology Programs Luncheon initiative supported by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. Saturday, November 17 Virtually every department and program will focus on new lessons learned about Participants will learn to develop more 12:30 pm-2:00 pm in religion assesses faculty teaching per- evaluating teaching to help chairs and effective means of evaluating teaching; formance. Some do it effectively while other program leaders develop the knowl- how to use available data for improved The AAR’s Religion in the Schools Task others do not. This interactive workshop, edge and skill needed to more successfully performance and tenure/promotion Force invites secondary school teachers led by Dr. Peter Seldin, a nationally recog- use different techniques and approaches to decisions; and what to do and what not to join scholars in the fields of world nized expert on teaching and evaluation, assess and improve teaching. to do in the process. religions, ethics, American religious history, Bible, and religion and literature PRELIMINARY PROGRAM for conversation about the challenges and opportunities in teaching young 8:30 a.m. Check-in and continental breakfast 11:45 a.m. Question and answers adult learners about religion. The 9:00 a.m. Opening remarks and introductions 12:30 p.m. Lunch (included with registration) luncheon will also include a progress 9:30 a.m. Plenary presentation by Dr. Peter Seldin 2:00 p.m. Special topics discussions (topics to be announced) report on activities of the task force, the 11:15 a.m. Response by department chairs 3:00 p.m. Wrap-up and evaluation Freedom Forum, the Council on Islamic Education, and the Council for Spiritual TO REGISTER and Ethical Education. Panelists include Complete the information below, arrange payment, and send via fax, surface or electronic mail. Jon Butler, Yale University; Bruce Grelle, California State University, Chico; D. Keith Naylor, Occidental College; Name Katrina M. Poetker, Fresno Pacific University; and Stephen Kaplan, Department Manhattan College. Advance reservations necessary, please e-mail [email protected] Institution Serving as Chair since Number of faculty in department to express interest. DEPARTMENT ENROLLMENT Please provide the following information if you are not a current AAR member. Religion in the (You may check your membership information on the AAR home page www.aarweb.org) Schools Day

Monday, November 19 Fax E-mail 9:00 am-10:00 am Surface Mailing Address Sponsored by the Religion in the Registration is limited to the first 75 participants. Schools Task Force Send your registration form and payment of $50.00 *** before October 15, 2001. ($75.00 on site). Edward R. Gray, American Academy of Religion, Presiding PAYMENT INFORMATION The Religion in the Schools Task Force ❒ Check: (payable to “AAR Annual ❒ Credit Card (Check one): sponsors this program bringing a corps Meeting Chairs Workshop”) ❒ Visa ❒Mastercard ❒American Express ❒ Discover of religion scholars to Denver area pub- lic schools throughout the day. These visits, arranged in cooperation with Purchase Order Number Credit Card Number Expiration Date Denver area teachers, highlight areas of “natural inclusion” of the study of religion Cardholder Signature into existing high school curricula. Register by Fax: (404) 727-7959 Members of the visiting corps will meet Name on Card (Please Print) at this time for orientation. Guests Register by surface mail: interested in this project and other AAR Chairs Workshop, For more information, contact Edward R. Gray, AAR Director of Academic initiatives in promoting teaching about American Academy of Religion Relations, at [email protected], or by phone at (404) 727-2270. religion in the schools are welcome at 825 Houston Mill Road NE *** Chairs from departments enrolled in the Academic Relations Program this session; visitors may observe certain Suite 300 receive a complimentary registration. For information on enrolling your projects. For more information about Atlanta, GA 30329-4246 department, see www.aarweb.org/department, or page this session, or to volunteer to take part, Register by e-mail with all Subscribe to [email protected], the listserv for leaders in the field, please email Edward R. Gray, Director requestedinformation above to: for updates to the workshop program and other news for chairs. of the Academic Relations Program in [email protected] For the most up-to-date information on the Workshop, see the AAR Executive Offices at www.aarweb.org/department/workshops. ✃ [email protected].

Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 7 Religious Studies News, AAR Edition Journalists honored for best religion reporting in North America

HE AAR HAS SELECTED three election. Ostling “offers a model of how to Tammeus submitted opinion pieces about immediately before the presidential journalists to receive its Awards for combine extensive research and deft writ- religion and “our therapeutic culture,” the address on Saturday, November 17, 2001, T Best In-Depth Reporting on ing on major controversial issues in the Ugandan tragedy involving the Movement at the AAR Annual Meeting in Denver. Religion: Richard Ostling of the religious community,” the jurors noted. for the Restoration of the Ten- The prize for each award is $500. Associated Press won the category for news “His work helps nurture a respect for the Commandments, historical and contem- outlets over 100,000 circulation; Rhonda emerging relationships between religion porary perspectives on the soul, the conflict The award is overseen by the AAR’s Parks Manville of the Santa Barbara Press- and public life. He identifies the sub- between religion and contemporary culture, Public Understanding of Religion News won the category for news outlets tleties involved and shows why they are rel- and the Cathedral of Notre Dame as a Committee, which appoints one of the under 100,000; Bill Tammeus of the evant, important, and interesting.” symbol of religion’s constancy. The jurors committee members and two other Kansas City Star won the category for noted that his opinion pieces “engage both people to judge the submissions. The opinion writing. Each contestant submitted Manville submitted stories on memorials the personal and public, providing context AAR thanks Dena S. Davis, chair of the five stories published in North America near fatality sites, recent historical Jesus that gives meaning to many of the committee, the other members of the during 2000. scholarship, Spiritualism, the eco- concerns that are beyond reach of most committee, and especially the jurors, for spirituality movement, and the dialogue breaking news stories.” their contributions to the awards program. Ostling submitted stories on Muslim between medical professionals and Jehovah’s The jurors were Edmund B. Lambeth, unity in America, the debate over where Witnesses on blood transfusions. The jurors This is the second year of the award. Last year professor emeritus of journalism at the Jesus was born, textual differences noted that her stories “range widely yet — when the only award category was for best University of Missouri at Columbia, between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Old carefully over the religious landscape of in-depth reporting on religion, regardless of Anthony Pinn, assistant professor of religious Testament as commonly accepted today, southern California, showing sensitivity and circulation size — the winner was Carol studies at Macalester College, and Mark the debate among Protestants over discernment as she provides a vivid sense of McGraw of the Orange County Register. Silk, director of the Center for the Study homosexuality, and the role of Catholic the variety in contemporary religions.” of Religion in Public Life and editor of voters in the 2000 U.S. presidential This year’s awards will be presented Religion in the News. Winner of the over 100,000 circulation category Welcome New AAR Staff

(One of five articles submitted by the author:) University of Missouri at Columbia and N JULY, Kyle Cole joined the AAR has several years of news editing and staff as media officer for the AAR reporting experience with city dailies. If It Holds, New Muslim Unity I news media referral service. Cole will be working with journalists who contact Susan Snider also joins the AAR staff as the AAR for referrals to scholars who can an administrative assistant working with Could Remake America’s Religious provide insight into the religion topics the news media referral project. Susan journalists are writing about. Landscape has a B.A. degree in religion and philos- Editor’s Note: ophy and comes with nine years of admin- “I’m excited about my new position,” Lawrence Mamiya, mentioned istrative experience, as well as a few years © 2000 The Associated Press, reprinted with permission. Cole said. “In order to generate better below, is an AAR member. working in the book distribution depart- news coverage of religion, we primarily ment of Scholars Press. For the AAR, Richard N. Ostling, The Associated Press Examples of other winning entries need to accomplish two things: 1) to link Susan will be keeping up to date the will appear in a future issue. journalists with experts in the field; and March 4, 2000 database of scholars used in referring 2) to encourage scholars to talk openly journalists, as well as providing general with reporters.” his father’s theology and transformed the administrative support to the project. ARELY HAS AN AMERICAN group into the orthodox Muslim American religious group changed its doctrines Cole comes from Baylor University, where Society of today. Farrakhan broke away in The AAR news media referral service is so radically and so swiftly. And he was an assistant professor and director R 1978 to re-establish the Nation of Islam supported by a major grant from the rarely have the implications been so of the graduate journalism program. Kyle with Elijah’s heterodox creed. Pew Charitable Trusts. weighty. holds a Ph.D. in journalism from the All that was forgotten Sunday as the imam To throaty cheers of “Allah akbar!” (God is embraced Farrakhan and addressed his great!) from more than 20,000 followers at annual festival for the first time. “Muslims his annual rally on Sunday, Minister Louis are one community,” he said, pledging Farrakhan reconciled with arch-rival Imam Syllabus Project “peace and love and undying friendship to W. Deen Mohammed and proclaimed the Minister Louis Farrakhan.” Nation of Islam’s entry into the Muslim After many years at Winfried Lauier University the Syllabi Project has moved to mainstream. the AAR website. Please update the address to http://www.aarweb.org/syllabus/. Calmly repudiating black nationalism, the imam said “the human family must be one If the Nation’s faith becomes fully accept- The new Project Webmaster is Joe DeRose ([email protected]), Director of family, as it was in the beginning, all peoples, able to Mohammed’s orthodox blacks and Membership and Technology Services. He replaces Adrien Desjardins, who played all races.” He also insisted that “the last the larger body of immigrant Muslims — an instrumental role in designing the site in 1997, and ably served as its prophet is Mohammed of Arabia.” though with the mercurial Farrakhan, Webmaster from Spring 1997 through Winter 2001. nothing can be certain — a unified and In the remarkable 2 1/ -hour oration that strengthened Islam could gradually remake 2 followed, Farrakhan aligned himself with the the American religious landscape. imam’s orthodoxy on those points. Noting that Mohammed of Arabia “was a white Orthodox Islam has always abhorred the man,” he said Islam is a faith for all races. Nation, believing it distorts the Muslim Religion and Media central profession that “there is no god but “The imam and I will be together until God and Mohammed is his Prophet.” death overtakes us, and we will work at the Annual Meeting together for the cause of Islam,” Farrakhan The Nation has taught that “Allah vowed. appeared in the Person of Master W. Fard Religion and Media Workshop Muhammad” and that this mysterious Farrakhan’s speech presented Fard and Friday, November 16, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Detroit teacher was also the messiah of Elijah not as God and his prophet but as Muslims and Christians. After Fard pioneers in uplifting blacks and establishing What do media and religion have to address by Lynn Neary, senior Muhammad disappeared in 1934 his suc- U.S. Islam. do with each other? How do we study correspondent on the culture desk at cessor, Elijah Muhammad, came to be these complex cultural phenomena and National Public Radio who covered revered as the final prophet instead of However, it remains to be seen whether their intersections? This one day pre- their religion beat for six years. Mohammed of Arabia. mainstream Islam will accept such conference seminar will bring together formulations. And the latest issue of the AAR and SBL members interested in Please see the Annual Meeting program And despite Islam’s brotherhood ideal, the Nation’s newspaper still devotes the usual conversation about the many relation- book or the Program Highlights page at Nation proclaimed that whites are inferior full page to the Nation’s old creed. ships between media and religion. The http://www.aarweb.org for more “devils.” It advocated racial segregation program will include a lunch key note information. and demanded that blacks be given their Farrakhan “should tear out that page,” own territory within the United States. insisted one orthodox observer, Omer Bin When Elijah died in 1975 he was succeeded See IF IT HOLDS, p.13 by his son, W. Deen Mohammed, who shed

8 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN NEWS Lilly Endowment to support From college course syllabus online databank of teaching to teaching about religion in resources the schools Editor’s Note: See the related article on the West HE LILLY ENDOWMENT has region teaching workshop on p.18. A special project funded by the Carnegie announced its continued support for T a project to gather and assess the Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching concrete products of the Teaching Workshops Additionally, accreditation bodies are and other AAR teaching and learning increasingly demanding assessment of and Learning initiatives that the Endowment has department-wide measurement of student supported over the past decade. learning outcomes. A field as pluralistic HE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF 3. Develop a schools module or series of and institutionally differentiated as religion RELIGION (AAR) has received a lesson plans, as appropriate, from the “This new project, a redesignation of previ- and theology does not lend itself to the T $5,000 grant to strengthen the course syllabus; ously awarded grant funds, will consolidate kinds of measurement that the sciences scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL) the many curricular and pedagogic resources and social sciences, or even established at colleges and secondary schools in the 4. Provide a commentary to accompany developed over the years and make them humanities disciplines employ. This project United States. Funded by the Carnegie the plan, articulating how this syllabus more widely available and usable in digitized addresses the larger need for new Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching critique and new course construction form,” Barbara DeConcini, AAR Executive instruments and new resources to meet the and Learning (CASTL), the program will enhances SOTL; Director, told RSN. The resulting AAR challenge of promoting and documenting strengthen online teaching and learning Teaching Resources online data bank will excellent teaching in religion and theology. resources for a secondary school audience. 5. Submit the starting syllabus, revisions, include products from teaching workshop Working under the direction of the general the new curricular materials, and other participants (including over 150 alumni), With the generous support of the Lilly project editor Dr. Bruce Grelle, California documents for review by the project editor. hundreds of course syllabi, the entire series of Endowment and the Henry Luce State University, Chico, collaborative pairs Spotlight on Teaching, and information about Foundation, the American Academy of of tertiary and secondary-level faculty will Findings of the project will be reported evaluating teaching in religion and assessing Religion has mounted nine workshops for create new resources for including the through special programming at the AAR departmental teaching and learning. college and seminary faculty on teaching study of religion in secondary school social Annual Meeting and in, Religious Studies religion in the past ten years. studies curricula. Teams will work in three News, AAR Edition, as well as online at The online databank of teaching resources areas: Religion in U.S. history, Religion & http://www.aarweb.org. directly and indirectly flowing from the “Each has been unique and uniquely Politics, and Religion in literature & the AAR Lilly Teaching Workshop series and effective,” according to AAR Director of arts. Each team will: Each researcher will receive a $400 stipend other related initiatives is part of a strategic Academic Relations and project coordinator, at the completion of the project (scheduled response to emerging challenges facing Edward R. Gray. As a result, there is now a 1. Select an appropriate college-level for May 2002), and each team will receive teaching religion and theology at the community of more than 150 Lilly course syllabus (or syllabi) and investigate a $600 travel stipend. tertiary level in the US and Canada. Teaching Fellows within the Academy. what they see as the SOTL embedded in “These scholars continue to provide the syllabus and its construction; After a period of significant growth, religious leadership and support to a range of ongo- To apply: studies leveled off in the late 1970s and ing projects promoting the teaching voca- 2. Explore all aspects of the syllabus Submit a one-page letter of interest specifying began to experience shrinkage in the 1980s. tion in religion and theology. The project (e.g., course objectives, reading, the area of focus, CV or resume, and syllabus Because of their relative newcomer status, will harness many of their resources and assignments, evaluation) with a view or curricular module as appropriate, to: religion programs are disproportionately make them available in digitized format,” to using it as a resource to develop a affected by the mounting pressures on Gray added. secondary school-level course or Edward R Gray institutions to contain and reduce costs. module. This phase will address specific Attn: CASTL Grant pedagogical strategies (e.g., course American Academy of Religion portfolios, field work, instructional 825 Houston Mill Road AAR announces support for technology), and their relation to the Atlanta, GA 30329 translation projects, requests material being taught; proposals Carnegie Academy names T ITS SPRING, 2001 MEETING, Translations book series. As you know, scholars the AAR Board of Directors Texts and Translations is one of several A approved a motion from the series sponsored by the AAR and published HE CARNEGIE ACADEMY for graduates who are committed to the Publications Committee to set aside funds through our new alliance with Oxford the Scholarship of Teaching and common good, not just their own goods.” for the support of translation projects in University Press. It’s the series with the T Learning (CASTL) announced last Yet, Glennon notes, there is little evidence religious studies. Supported books and “access” mandate. The mission of the series spring that two religion professors, Todd that curricula achieve this objective. monographs will appear in the AAR’s Te x t s is to “make available to the religious studies Whitmore, University of Notre Dame, and Translations series, edited by Mark community materials that are currently and Fred Glennon, Le Moyne College, Glennon also expects to be able to test his Csikszentmihalyi (contact information inaccessible, or that would fill an important were among 31 outstanding faculty from a assumption that lasting learning of ethics is below). RSN recently spoke with Professor research or pedagogical need were they to be number of fields named to their fourth best achieved through acting on one’s view Csikszentmihalyi about the program. reprinted or translated for the first time.” class of Carnegie Scholars. of social justice, not through abstract We have published books like Buck and reflection. His goal as a Carnegie Scholar is RSN: Who should submit proposals? Paramasivam’s The Study of Stolen Love, RSN spoke recently with Glennon, who to contribute to “an experiential pedagogical which is a translation of a Tamil poem and served a term as a member of the AAR approach to social justice [that] will engage Csikszentmihalyi: We’re hoping to commentary. We’ve reprinted classic works Committee on Teaching and Learning. students more deeply with what they learn attract proposals from a large pool of like Hermann Cohen’s Religion of Reason, and will contribute to their development as scholars — anyone interested in translat- and Out of the Sources of Judaism, and As a Carnegie Scholar, Glennon will persons who demonstrate a commitment ing a primary or secondary work in reli- critical anthologies such as Nancy explore and assess the value of experience for the common good, regardless of their gious studies and in publishing that work Frankenberry and Hans Penner’s Language, in teaching about social justice. “The chosen profession.” through AAR/OUP. I think many people Truth, and Religious Belief. question is important to me for two rea- still don’t know about the many recent sons,” Glennon told RSN. “One of the Fred Glennon is the Kevin G. O’Connell positive changes that have taken place in But there are changes in publishing that objectives of the core curriculum at Le Distinguished Teaching Professor in the the AAR publications program, particularly mean we have had to rethink what our Moyne College and at other Jesuit institu- humanities at Le Moyne College, its alliance with Oxford. With the mandate means today. For example, how tions is to enable students to have a clear Syracuse. He has written on pedagogic retrenchment going on in commercial and does the advent of publishing on demand understanding of social justice. [We] want issues in many venues. university publishing, and with OUP’s affect the threshold for considering a distribution and marketing, AAR is due to reprint? After I started as editor a couple become a choice venue for publishing in of years ago, it became apparent the series religious studies. I think that support for was not getting very many translation Do you have something to say? translations will be another thing that will proposals. Those that we did receive were RSN welcomes essays by members, particularly those reflecting on set us apart from other options. usually mainline texts by the sort of authors professional practices and institutional locations, or on the place of the who already had journals devoted to them. study of religion in the academy. RSN: How did this new translation I had one proposal to publish a contemporary program come about? work on theory, but lost it to another We also welcome suggestions for any of the regular features and letters to the editor. Please see page two for submission information. Csikszentmihalyi: It really grew out of a need in the AAR’s Texts and See TRANSLATIONS, p.11

Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 9 Religious Studies News, AAR Edition

Editor’s Note: Priority actions for The Annual Meeting and the Going to Colorado for the Annual Meeting American consumers prompted some thinking about the area’s according to the Union Environment ecology, and environmental questions in of Concerned Scientists general. We wondered about the ecological impact of our meeting on Denver and the Leading consumption-related problems John P. Harrison The report is a good read for any scientist region and asked our resident science advi- or person, but the 200 pages of research sor, John Harrison, to investigate. These items would decrease an individ- HAT IS THE environmental survey results can be summarized: ual’s contribution to the leading con- impact of the Annual sumption-related environmental prob- Meeting? Who is causing more “It’s the way you drive and what you eat, lems of air pollution, global warming, W but more to do with reducing the waste detriment to the environment at the stupid!” habitat alteration, and water pollution. stream and energy consumption. Annual Meeting: the religion scholar sitting in a Denver café sipping sun-grown Let’s repeat: “As an every-day American 1. Choose a place to live that reduces the coffee, the child of said scholar wearing consumer, it’s my driving habits and my Meeting-goers need to drive disposable diapers in the Annual Meeting’s eating habits that have the most impact 2. Think twice before purchasing another day care center, or the meeting attendee on the environment.” After taking public transport and common car grabbing a quick bottle of water and a carriers to arrive at the hotel and eating that magazine from a newsstand? One more time, driving and eating habits! organic salad for lunch, what further steps 3. Choose a fuel-efficient low-polluting car can the conference attendee take as an indi- 4. Set concrete goals for reducing your Tough question. Or is it? The science of You can take all the recycling, paper vs. vidual to lessen environmental impact? travel determining environmental impact has plastic, cloth vs. paper diapers, bottles, First, use as much of the UCS advice for come a long way since the beginnings of cans, and Styrofoam, and toss them aside consumers as possible in the hotel and 5. Whenever practical walk, bicycle, or the ecology movement. There are guidelines because when it’s all added up, they are meeting setting. Easy steps for hotel guests: take public transport for consumers and meeting-goers to help chicken feed (well, not literally, although 6. Eat less meat minimize the activities likely to cause that would solve some problems) compared 1. Turn energy-consuming devices environmental harm without wasting time to — you guessed it — driving and eating. (lights, temperature controls, 7. Buy certified organic produce in seemingly “green” initiatives of little television) off or down when leaving 8. Choose your home carefully proven value. the hotel room AAR meeting 9. Reduce the environmental costs of 2. Take stairs instead of elevators when management heating and hot water UCS Report possible As an organization, the AAR takes steps to 10. Install efficient lighting and appliances 3. Ask hotel not to change sheets and In April of 1999, the Union of Concerned help make the Annual Meeting more towels every day (many hotels place a Scientists (UCS) published their practical environmentally friendly. The headquarters Food card in the bathroom outlining their advice for consumers. As expected from a hotel contracts usually stipulate that surplus policies on laundry conservation) It is both the amount and the type of meat group of top scientists and Nobel laureates, food be donated to soup kitchens and the you consume that matter. Poultry production the report is concise, well-documented, like. Mass food functions are very few, and 4. Ask hotel if they recycle newspapers is substantially less harmful per pound of and stands as a great work of comparative menu and serving dishes are typically cho- and aluminum, and if so, separate meat consumed than beef or pork risk assessment. It is too bad that the sen to minimize impact. No printed pro- your trash even if they don’t recycle, UCS does not have a publicity machine to ceedings or other handouts lessens paper your asking may spark some interest Brower, M. and W. Leon. The Consumer’s Guide to match its research methods, for the report use, and the bulk of registration is com- on their part) Effective Environmental Choices, Practical Advice may rank up there with Rachel Carson’s pleted on-line also reducing from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Three Rivers 5. Compliment the hotel on any Silent Spring, and Eugene Odum’s consumption. The benefit of reducing Press: NY, 1999. p.95. special efforts they may be making to Fundamentals of Ecology in providing paper consumption, by the way, has little help the environment meaningful literature to help the earth. to do with trees (the “save the trees” motto being basically a feel-good pitch) See ENVIRONMENT, p.20

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES (CLAS) DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

SOUTHWEST BORDERLANDS INITIATIVE: ARTS AND CULTURES, AZTEC/MAYAN RELIGION

(TENURE/TENURE TRACK)

Arizona State University Main Campus announces the Southwest Borderlands Initiative. The Borderlands of the U.S. Southwest are becoming strategic areas of concern for researchers and communities, and through this initiative ASU seeks to build upon its scholarly and instructional strengths and respond to regional needs and shifting demographics. Seven tenure-track faculty positions in three, broad interdisciplinary areas focused on issues unique to the Arizona-Sonora, Mexico region, are open for recruitment.

Arizona State University is a multi-campus, comprehensive research institution. The ASU main campus is in Tempe, AZ, in metropolitan Phoenix, a cosmopolitan, culturally-rich area of approximately three million people. ASU enjoys considerable community support. Over 10,000 of the university’s more than 50,000 students are engaged in graduate studies.

Arizona State University, Department of Religious Studies announces an open rank, tenure /tenure track position for a specialist in Aztec or Mayan Religion from the time of first contact through the Spanish colonial period (1492-1821) to teach undergraduate and graduate interdisciplinary courses in the context of U.S. - Mexico borderland studies. The position will contribute to the Religious Studies Department through student advising, committee service, and collaboration on projects with other appropriate units.

Minimum qualifications: Ph.D. in Religious Studies or a related field, by time of appointment. A strong record of research and publication in Aztec or Mayan Religion for full and associate professor applicants, or evidence of work to develop such a record for assistant professor applicants. Appropriate to professional rank, evidence of a strong record of teaching at the college level in Aztec or Mayan religion and theoretical/thematic courses in the study of religion; evidence of work to develop such a record is required for assistant professor applicants. Demonstrated ability to teach, mentor, and train graduate students for full and associate professor applicants; evidence of potential to develop such ability for assistant professor applicants.

Desired qualifications: Ability to read and teach texts in Nahuatl or Mayan language. Scholarly and field knowledge of contemporary Nahuatl or Mayan communities, including their views of their past. Expertise in how images from the Aztec or Mayan traditions have been used in the modern period to shape Mexican national identity and Chicana/o ethnic consciousness. Native or near native fluency in Spanish for research and teaching.

Application Deadline: November 1, 2001 or every subsequent Friday, as needed, until the position is filled.

Application Procedure: Application materials include a letter of interest that addresses the applicant’s qualifications in relation to the above listed qualifications, and a curriculum vita. Assistant professor applicants must also include three letters of reference. Associate and full professor applicants must also include the names, titles, and addresses (including e-mail addresses) for three references. Supplemental materials may be requested after initial review.

Send to: Linell E. Cady, Chair, Southwest Borderlands Arts and Culture Search Committee, Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost, Arizona State University, PO Box 872803, Tempe, AZ 85287-2803

Website: http://www.asu.edu/provost/swb

Arizona State University is an equal opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer

10 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN NEWS Knipe wins 2001 Marty Award AVID M. KNIPE has won the Cox, Walter Capps, and Martin E. Marty. 2001 Martin E. Marty Award for D the Public Understanding of The award will be presented immediately Religion. Dr. Knipe is Professor, before the presidential address on Saturday, Department of Languages and Cultures of November 17, at the AAR Annual Meeting Asia, University of Wisconsin at Madison. in Denver. The prize for the award is $500.

His 15-progam video series Exploring the The AAR Committee on the Public Religions of South Asia, produced for Understanding of Religion, chaired by educational television, has been used by Dena S. Davis, selects the award recipient. universities, public libraries, and museums in Send nominations for next year’s award to: North America, Europe, and Australia. He has also been a frequent guest on Wisconsin Marty Award Nominations public radio, commenting on topics of AAR current and historical interest in religion. 825 Houston Mill Road Suite 300 The previous recipients of the annual award Atlanta, GA 30329 are Eileen Barker, Cornell West, Harvey

TRANSLATIONS, from p.9 one can get support for some translations from French, German, Hebrew, Arabic, and press because, at that time, there was no Japanese. Some of these awards are for way to subvent the translation. already published books, but others focus on subventing the publishing costs of books RSN: Why have we not seen more originally written in the target language. translations from other publishers? Translators may also appeal directly to the Culture Ministry or other official organ of a Csikszentmihalyi: There are a national government, and some governments couple of problems influencing the market have official programs for this purpose. for translation. First of all, despite the fact that interpretation is a key to what we do, But there are a couple of good reasons that we all know that translation simply doesn’t the status quo doesn’t really fit the needs count for as much in the academy. It is of the AAR. The first problem is that most treated a little bit as if it were mechanical languages are not promoted as heavily as and not a scholarly activity. Still, I think the examples I just gave. There is no that if you ran Phèdre through an online government funding for translations into translation program, the results would be English from Farsi, Sanskrit, or Lakota. more comic than tragic. Second, while With many of the sources, there is a religious studies is becoming more particular version of the culture being international in its focus and participation, promoted, and so there is the potential there really are not mechanisms in place to problem of direct or indirect censorship. facilitate exchange across national and We will do our best to use our new monies linguistic boundaries. That’s where the in conjunction with these existing sources. mandate for improving access comes in. Anyone interested in submitting a proposal should contact Professor Csikszentmihalyi at: RSN: Are there other funds for translation already available? 1108 Van Hise Hall Csikszentmihalyi: There are several 1220 Linden Drive sources for funding translations out there, University of Wisconsin-Madison and in some cases I may work with an Madison, WI 53706 author to get support. There is a set of awards offered by national associations and TEL: (608)262-8731; other groups to encourage the translation of FAX: (608)265-5731; literature in certain languages. For example, E-MAIL: [email protected]

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION Experienced members of search committees Employment Information Services of the AAR and SBL seeks volunteers at the associate professor or professor rank to serve as c.v. consultants during the Annual Meeting in Denver. Consultants will review c.v.’s of registered candidates at the EIS Center and provide them with suggestions for changes based on their experience as a member of a job search committee. Consultations will be approximately 20 minutes and take place in person. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least two hours over the course of the Annual Meeting. To volunteer or for more information contact Edward R. Gray, AAR Director of Academic Relations. See page two for contact information. In the Field News of events and opportunities for scholars of religion published by the American Academy of Religion available online at www.aarweb.org. In the Field is a members-only online publication available the first of each month (with a combined July/August issue). It includes Calls, Grants, and Calendar sections. In the Field accepts calls for papers, grant news, conference announcements, and other opportunities appropriate for scholars of religion of no more than 100 words. Contributors must submit text electronically by the 20th of the month for the following issue to: [email protected].

Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 11 Religious Studies News, AAR Edition Annual Meeting Excursions

REEL Opportunities for tours in the Denver area RELIGION Please use the reservation class provide challenges to those of us who Americas by collecting, preserving and Please see the Annual help students reflect on the roles of religion interpreting the diverse art, history, and Meeting program book or the form in the Annual Meeting in contemporary society. This “Toxic Tour” cultures of this region from ancient times Program Highlights page at will include a number of sites in North to the present. http://www.aarweb.org for program book or see the Denver, and can be used as an experiential more information. Program Highlights page at model for both campus/community collaboration and teaching about issues of Walking Tour of http://www.aarweb.org. eco-social context. Denver’s Religious Princess Mononoke (A14) Injustice in the and Civic Sites (A200) Friday, 7:00 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Museo de las Landscape of North Monday, 1:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. An epic story set in medieval Américas (A21) Japan, at the dawn of the Iron Denver: Local Snapshots Saturday, 9:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. This year’s walking tour will include Age, when humans were still of Environmental Racism religious and civic sites in downtown capable of living in harmony The Museo de las Américas is the first Denver and the adjoining Capitol Hill with nature, while others were (A20) museum in Colorado dedicated to educating district. Featured will be two classic trying to tame and defeat it. the public about the artistic and cultural auditorium churches, Trinity United Saturday, 8:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. achievements of Latinos in the Americas Methodist and Central Presbyterian. The on a continuing basis. The purpose and tour may be left at any time. There is no The landscape of Denver contains both Enemies of War (A81) mission of the museum is to foster fee. Your guides are Jeanne Halgren Kilde, liberative beauty and stifling oppression. Saturday, 8:30 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. understanding of and appreciation for the Macalester College, and Peter W. Even though we live in a multicultural achievements of the Latino people of the Williams, Miami University. Examines the murder of six democracy, continuing barriers of race and Jesuit priests in El Salvador and its aftermath.

2001: A Space Odyssey Sessions on Professional Practices & (A84) Institutional Location Saturday, 8:30 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. The rectangular black monolith TRENGTHENING the EIS Center Orientation (A13) Crossing Boundaries and Creating and much more. profession, qua profession, is a Friday, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm Connections: Religion and the S continuing focus for the Academy. Research University (A113) Andre’s Lives (A166) The Academic Relations Task Force, Employment Information Services The Study of Religion Counts: What Sunday, 1:00 pm-3:30 pm Sunday, 8:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. Advisory Committee, and other committees We Know (and What We Don’t) and program units contribute to this The story of Bauhaus-trained about the Shape of the Field (A28) Digital Culture: Critical effort. This year’s Annual Meeting Saturday, 1:00 pm-3:30 pm architect Andre Steiner who includes a number of opportunities to Implications of Technology for saved 7,000 Slovak Jews during engage a range of issues around Religious Studies Teaching and the Holocaust. professional practices and the relationship Teaching as Autobiography: First Research (A139) between institutional location and Year Courses and Experiences (A29) intellectual identity. Sunday, 4:00 pm-6:30 pm Fight Club (A167) Saturday, 1:00 pm-3:30 pm Sunday, 8:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. Chairs Workshop (A1-A5) Religion in the Schools Day (A176) The story of an anonymous Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm “If I Knew Then What I Know life, a dead end corporate Now”: Lessons From the First Monday, 9:00 am-10:00 am career, disgust with an empty Year on the Job (A52) Religion and Media Workshop consumer culture, and an Saturday, 4:00 pm-6:30 pm Ethnic and Religious Pluralism in underground organization (A7-A11) where men respond to their Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm the Classroom: What Can We spiritual yearning by beating Identity, Scholarship and Teaching: Learn from the British each other to a pulp. Women’s Caucus Workshop (A12) Studying Religion Cross-Culturally Experience? (A201) Friday, 12:00 pm-5:00 pm and Ethnically (A53) Monday, 1:00 pm-3:30 pm Veterans of Hope Project: Saturday, 4:00 pm-6:30 pm Bernice Johnson Reagon: The Singing Warrior and Andrew Young: Minister to the Beloved Community Performing Arts (A168) “If I Knew Then What I Know Now”: Sunday, 8:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. in Denver Based at the Iliff School of Lessons From the First Year on the Job (A52) Theology in Denver, Colorado, Please see the Annual Meeting program the project conducts public book or the Program Highlights page Saturday, November 17, 4:00 pm-6:30 pm interview-conversations with at http://www.aarweb.org for more religious leaders, activists, artists, information. educators and others who are Sponsored by the EIS Advisory Panel veterans of struggles for peace Arts Series Richard A. Rosengarten, University of Chicago, Presiding and justice about the role of reli- Performance: gion in their life and work. Baritone, Robert Gardner (A163) Former users of the EIS Center reflect on and offer advice about the Aimée & Jaguar (A252) Sunday, 5:45 p.m.- 6:45 p.m. first year on the job during this special topics forum. Panelists will Monday, 8:30 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. speak to their wisdom and missteps as they contended with developing A German film about the Arts Series Performance: The new courses, teaching new students, completing a dissertation, power of love in 1943 Nazi Colorado Choir (A165) Germany. Based on the true Sunday, 8:15 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. balancing career and family life, and learning the local cultures of their story (taken from a book new department, institution, and residence. Panelists include Faith written by Erica Fisher). Arts Series Performance: Middle Eastern Dance (A251) Kirkham Hawkins, Gustavus Adolphus College; Michael J. Brown, Monday, 8:30 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. Emory University; and Thomas Pearson, Muhlenberg College.

12 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN NEWS

OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO CHAIRS In the Next JAAR AT THE ANNUAL MEETING December 2001 Ochun: [N]either the [M]Other of All Department Chairs Brunch (A24) Volume 69 Cubans [N]or the Bleached Virgin Saturday, 10:30 am-11:45 pm Number 4 Miguel A. De La Torre The AAR’s Academic Relations Program ARTICLES ESSAYS invites chairs of departments to a brunch to One God, One Revelation, One People: On The Erosion of Sexual Dimorphism: learn more about enrolling in the AAR’s the Symbolic Structure of Elective Challenges to Religion and Religious Ethics newest initiative: Institutional Memberships. Monotheism Seating is limited; please RSVP to Christine E. Gudorf [email protected]. Martin S. Jaffee Chairs Workshop (A1-A5) REVIEW ESSAY Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm The Path of Power: Impurity, Kingship, and The Study of Religion Counts: Sacrifice in Assamese Tantra In Her Image: New Studies of Female Sponsored by the Academic Relations Program and What We Know (and What We Divinity in South Asian Art Hugh B. Urban the Strengthening College and University Religion Don’t) About the Shape of the Field Cynthia Ann Humes and Theology Programs, an initiative supported by (A28) Postcolonial Sun Dancing at Wakpamni Lake a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. Saturday, 1:00 pm-3:30 pm Dale Stover Sponsored by the Academic Relations Task Force Virtually every department and program in James B. Wiggins, Syracuse University, religion assesses faculty teaching performance. Presiding Some do it effectively while others do not. This From September 2000 to April 2001, interactive workshop led by Peter Seldin, a department chairs and program heads in In the Current JAAR nationally recognized expert on teaching and religion and theology at fully accredited colleges evaluation, will focus on new lessons learned September 2001 Max Weber’s Useful Ambiguities and the and universities across North America responded about evaluating teaching to help chairs and Problem of Defining “Popular Religion” to the AAR’s Census of Religion and Theology Volume 69 other program leaders develop the knowledge Jacques Berlinerblau Programs supported by a grant from the Lilly and skill needed to more successfully use differ- Number 3 Endowment. This special topics forum includes Rhetorics of Law and Ritual: A Semiotic ent techniques and approaches to assess and a report on what has been learned from the 2000 PRESIDENTIAL Comparison of the Law of Talion and improve teaching. Participants will learn to census about programs, faculty, and enrollments ADDRESS Sympathetic Magic develop more effective means of evaluating at the undergraduate level; a summary of the The Future of the Academy Robert A. Yelle teaching; how to use available data for research design and data collection strategies Ninian Smart improved performance and tenure/promotion ESSAY deployed; reflections on what the data reveal decisions; and what to do and what not to do ARTICLES Tell the Next Generation: Racial and about the state of the field; and a discussion of in the process. Making Room for the Hebrew: Luther, Ethnic Minority Scholars and the Future of measures needed for filling lacunae in our Dialectics, and the Shoah Biblical Studies knowledge. Questions from the floor will be See the Evaluating and Advancing Teaching in Oona Eisenstadt Jean-Pierre Ruiz especially invited. Panelists include Edward R. the Religious Studies Department: An Annual Gray, American Academy of Religion; Lance Constructing Colonial Dharma: A REVIEW ESSAY Meeting Chairs Workshop page at www.aarweb.org Selfa, National Opinion Research Center; Chronicle of Emergent Hinduism, Is Mythology Obsolete? A Review Essay for a full description and registration form. Jonathan Z. Smith, University of Chicago; and 1830-1831 Robert Ellwood Separate registration required. Linell E. Cady, Arizona State University. Brian K. Pennington

IF IT HOLDS, from p.8 For the past eight years, Mamiya has direct- ed the first major survey of U.S. black Islam, Abdullah. “We have talked to him over working with a Muslim scholar, Ihsan Bagby and over again. That nonsense should be of Shaw University, and 15 field researchers. thrown out.” The project estimates there are 4 million U.S. Muslims, a fourth of them black, with Abdullah edits the official magazine of the 350 predominantly black orthodox mosques Islamic Society of North America, the leading and another 75 to 100 in the Nation. cooperative agency for orthodox immigrants. The society’s chief executive, Sayyid M. Syeed, Last weekend was pivotal, he said, but and dozens of Muslims from other nations Farrakhan has taken smaller and less public accepted Farrakhan’s invitation to participate steps toward orthodoxy in recent years. in the weekend, giving implicit recognition to Mamiya cautions, “With the Nation, you his newly proclaimed orthodoxy. have to wait and see, because we’ve heard a lot of verbal changes in the past but have “Now the onus is on Farrakhan to show not seen the results.” what he has stated publicly. He has to step forward,” Abdullah said. “We have Mamiya predicted that black splinter groups stepped forward, and we took a risk to will perpetuate the Nation’s old doctrines, stand with him.” But, he added, orthodox but Farrakhan’s charisma will hold most of believers must be patient while Farrakhan his flock. He doubts Farrakhan will ever for- seeks to “educate his people about what sake the centrality of W. Fard Muhammad proper observance is.” and Elijah Muhammad, even if he changes the underlying theology. And he does not Farrakhan’s speech also sought to embrace expect Farrakhan to merge with the imam’s Christians, though few attended and he group, much less simply dissolve into the insisted that Jesus is not divine. He also rest of the multiracial Muslim community. drew a delegation from Orthodox Judaism’s Neturei Karta faction, which rejects the “There’s an openness to whites right now, but state of Israel as an abomination. his emphasis will always be on blacks,” said Mamiya, an Episcopalian of Japanese descent. Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, the first rabbi ever to speak at the annual Nation rally, World Islam will probably be open- said the Holocaust was God’s punishment minded toward Farrakhan, he said, for Zionism, hardly a message to help because since the Million Man March in Farrakhan overcome Jewish hostility over 1995 it considers him an important player anti-Semitic statements of the past. on the American scene.

One of the event’s keenest observers was But in terms of Islamic teaching, Farrakhan’s Vassar College professor Lawrence Mamiya, former rival appears to have won the battle. 57, who did civil rights work as a graduate “W. Deen Mohammed will be considered student and has specialized in black religion significant historically,” said Mamiya. “He ever since. He attended Farrakhan’s first pub- provided the major breakthrough for African- lic rally in 1980 and has been present at 15 American Muslims to embrace the more uni- Savior’s Days and other Farrakhan meetings. versal view of Islam, and to accept all races.”

Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 13 Religious Studies News, AAR Edition

selection of meats, vegetables, and sauces. between even more precious and instrumental presents a diverse and intense range of Some things (303) 893-6596. $$ prints. The gallery can seem a bit cramped, material from an area with a little-known but being submerged in prints your photo artistic heritage. Melanesian art — created to see and do Palace Arms Restaurant professor used to rave about is definitely a for various reasons including ritual, domes- 321 17th Street good thing. (303) 623-4059. tic, educative and aesthetic purposes — while often created by unknown artisans is in Denver The top-drawer dining room of the 104- Art & Soul Gallery nonetheless amazing and awe-inspiring. year-old Brown Palace Hotel (“lots of his- 1615 Pearl Street tory”), this Downtown Denver American- Sunken Treasures: Ming Dynasty Continental is the “only super elegant, Gallery owner Debbie Klein wanted Ceramics from A Chinese Shipwreck plush restaurant left,” according to devo- something “more funky, more colorful, November 18, 2000 - January 6, 2002 Eating tees who rave about its “old Denver” turn- more contemporary.” She spent months of-the-century furnishings and impeccable opening up the previously boxy Pearl Price Guide: $$$$ (average entrees This exhibition includes 53 ceramics from service. Jacket and tie required. Street space, showcasing pipes and more than 16) $$$ ($12-16) $$ ($8-11) the cargo of the San Isidro junk, a (303) 297-3111. $$$$ structural elements. She then opened up $ (under $7) Chinese ship that sank off the Philippine the gallery to celebrated contemporary coast in the 16th century. It was discovered artists. Art & Soul carries work from Walnut Café in 1995 near the village of San Isidro, on Chicken & Bar-B-Q renowned “Dumpster Diver” artist Leo 338 E Colfax Avenue the west coast of Luzon, north of Manila. 303 16th Street #2 Sewell, who turns trash into sculpture. The ship’s inventory included large dishes, Get there early or be prepared to stand in Expect the Flintstones sewn into a quilt, Stop by the Republic Food Court on the bowls, cups, saucers, and stoneware jars a long line at this downtown diner where Jerry Garcia’s face gracing a metal chair, 16th Street Mall for lunch. They cook up made around 1550-1600 in South China, the coolest, slightly surly but very colorful and other examples of pop culture craftily chicken sandwiches, ribs, pulled pork, probably at a kiln in Fujian province. servers sling the best breakfasts in huge turned into art. (303) 544-5803. brisket and sausages. Top it off with some Most of the ceramics are simple utilitarian portions. The hearty eats are guaranteed fries, and dig in. (303) 825-6250. $ porcelains with flower and bird designs to work magic on hangovers. Carson-Masuoka Gallery painted in underglaze cobalt blue. They (303) 832-5108. $$ Chipotle Mexican Grill 760 Santa Fe Drive provide information about a commercial network between China and the 1600 California Street #7 When owner Sandy Carson, active in the Watercourse Food Philippines that eventually extended to Denver art scene for many years, decided Colorado’s best-known (and largest home- 206 E 13th Avenue Europe and the New World. to re-open her gallery on Santa Fe, she grown) fast-food chain is a gourmet New to Capitol Hill, this New Age-style, joined forces with Mark Masuoka, former Mexican restaurant offering good, whole- China Meets the American Southwest: very affordable and friendly vegetarian director of Denver’s fledgling Museum of some, and quick made-to-order burritos Pottery Designs and Traditions restaurant sports a thinking chef who’s Contemporary Art. Together the two have huge enough for two in modern, simple earning big kudos (and a place in Denver’s created a 2000 square-foot, flexible exhibit March 24, 2001 - May 28, 2002 surroundings. (303) 615-5818. $ eating scene) for incredible, creative, and area with corners and nooks for intimate satisfying eats. Lunch is loaded with art-viewing, while providing ample space A fascinating look at traditions in pottery Dozens healthy choices like macrobiotic plates and for regularly changing shows that mainly from opposite sides of the globe — Native 236 W 13th Avenue veggie wraps, but breakfast is where feature gallery artists. (303)573-8585. American pieces from the Museum’s Watercourse is at. (303) 832-7313. $$ outstanding collection paired with ancient This cheerful, charming and consistently M D E The Tattered Cover Chinese examples on loan from the Sze AADMITN good breakfast specialist earns dozens of OONE Hong Collection. Did one culture influence compliments for large portions of creative, ADMIT 2955 E 1st Avenue the other in design elements such as shape healthy and cleverly named morning fare ONE This has long been a local book lovers’ or pattern? What similarities or differences bolstered by strong Bloody Marys. A great haunt, but it has also become a favorite are noticeable at first sight? More than 50 staff and quick quality lunches draw more Art and Entertainment destination for readers across the country exceptional pieces will be on view to applause, but at 2 p.m. it’s all over. No Bovine Metropolis Inc. and around the world. One of the last of compare and contrast. dinner. (303) 572-0066 $ 1527 Champa Street the great “independents.” (303) 322-7727. Preserving Patterns: The Quilts of Ellyngton’s On The Spot! is the fastest and funniest Denver Art Museum Charlotte Jane Whitehill 321 17th Street hour on earth. A moderator takes sugges- tions and the actors improvise scenes, 20th Century Design: Breaking All June 30, 2001 - December 9, 2001 You might spot Denver’s mayor at this games, and songs. You may see as many as the Rules downtown Traditional American (the sec- 20 games performed in one hour. 11:00 Part of a community of talented quilt October 3, 1998 - December 31, 2002 ond dining room of The Brown Palace p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. makers in Emporia, Kansas, Charlotte Hotel), because it’s all about power (303)-758-4722. $8.00. Also, Jane Whitehill (1866-1964) began to The Department of Architecture, Design & munches at this “meeting place for the make quilts at the age of sixty-three as an Improv Hootenanny! Every Monday Graphics presents an exhibition featuring city’s professional and business people.” evening diversion from her day job as a evening offers different troupes, styles and objects from the Museum’s collection. The Service is outstanding, and all agree it puts district manager for an insurance company. performances that are as unique as the exhibit highlights an array of works — from out “the best Sunday brunch: lavish, She preserved many 19th-century appliqué players and night itself! innovative designs in tabletop objects, glass pricey and over the top.” Dinner is not patterns by copying family heirloom quilts and modern product design — and includes served. (303) 297-3111. $$$ as well as museum examples. Whitehill an exciting display demonstrating the The Church moved to Denver around 1940 and evolution of the chair. Falafel King Restaurant 1160 Lincoln continued to make quilts for about another five years. In 1955 she gave the 303 16th Street #23 This old cathedral pumps up the volume Giants of Melanesia: Monumental Art Denver Art Museum twenty-eight of her and praises the electronic gods on the from the South Pacific Why eat a fast-food burger when you can quilts, from which the current exhibition dance floor. (303) 832-3528. Cover varies. have better quicker eats that are healthy and March 3, 2001 - January 06, 2002 is drawn. interesting at this bargain eat-and-run Middle Eastern mini-chain? Fans call it Garner Galleria Theatre An exhibition of rarely seen works from the Check out http://denver.citysearch.com “perfect at what it does.” (303) 573-7203. $ Speer and Arapahoe, Denver Performing exceptional holdings of the Museum’s and www.denver.com for more to do in Arts Complex Oceanic collection, this display of 15 works Denver during the Annual Meeting. Kenji’s Japanese Grill I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change! 829 16th Street You’ve seen the musicals about felines, cross-dressing nuns, teapots and candle- Japanese food, fast. They have teriyaki sticks, old French flags, helicopters, flying dishes, beef and chicken bowls, and sushi. pigs, singing murderesses, falling chande- Especially for Students at the Annual Meeting They also have wraps. Lunches come with liers, and lousy navigation through an ice steamed rice and a salad. (303) 623-7800. $ Please see the Annual Meeting program book or the field. Now, at long last, I Love You, You’re Program Highlights page at http://www.aarweb.org Korean Barbecue Kitchen Perfect, Now Change! exposes everything you’ve secretly thought about dating, mat- for more information. 1600 California Street ing, and romance but were afraid to admit. (303) 640-7539. $36.00. Student Liaison Group Business Who Says My Degree Isn’t Practical? Features hearty fare like spicy beef bowl, Meeting (A22) Careers in Religion Publishing and fried dumplings, spicy rice cakes, and bar- Saturday, 9:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. Writing (A161) becued ribs. They also serve kim chee. Camera Obscura Gallery Appointed and elected Student Liaison Group Sunday, 4:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Conveniently located in the California 1309 Bannock Street members will gather to discuss business. Street food court. (303) 573-0521. $ Students Talk About Teaching This two-story gallery collection of museum- Introduction to the AAR (A77) Luncheon: “The Transition from Mongolian Barbeque quality prints is well positioned directly across Saturday, 5:00 p.m.- 6:15 p.m. Student to Teacher” (A199) from the Denver Art Museum. The down- Monday, 11:45 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. 837 16th Street Reception for Student Members (A86) stairs has a more traditional, open gallery feel, Saturday, 10:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. You get bowls of steaming dishes cooked while the upstairs houses Denver’s largest up on a sizzling griddle. Choose from a selection of books on photography, nestled

14 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN Editor’s Note: Volunteer leadership is at the heart of the AAR. Standing committees FEATURES are the principal venue for the exercise of this leadership. At least once annually, members travel to Atlanta to attend to the work of Beyond the Annual Meeting the AAR before, during, and beyond the Annual Meeting. An interview with Richard Freund, general editor, Spotlight on Teaching, a project of the Committee on Teaching and Learning and preparation of most of our religious wanted this electronic version to have RSN: What would you do next? studies faculty invariably bring these ideas available real syllabi about real courses into play. In a period in which universities related to the writings of authors. Most of Freund: I would invite a person to do a were searching for interdisciplinary ways this has happened. topical issue, such as Service Learning; of teaching the “Great Books,” humanities Teaching about the Holocaust; Gender and sequences, and first year programs, our RSN: Say more about how you have Inclusion; Teaching about Religion and publication began to suggest ways for reli- approached your role as general editor of Music; Teaching about the Bible (done gious studies faculty to do this. Spotlight on Teaching. together with the SBL). I would then con- sult with the guest editor about inviting RSN: Have you found it rewarding? others they knew in the field, with whom Dr. Richard Freund is Maurice Greenberg they had been working in these networks, Professor of Judaic Studies, Hartford to collaborate together on an issue of SOT. University, and Director of the Maurice It became a way of involving many differ- Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies. He Spotlight on Teaching ent members of the AAR (and some non- has served as general editor of Spotlight on AAR members) who might not otherwise Teaching for the past six years. Issues under Richard Freund, University of Hartford, Editor become involved in assessing how to teach an aspect of religious studies. When I look Fall, 1997 May, 2000 at the variety of people, institutions, and RSN: What is the purpose of Spotlight Inclusion, Exclusion and Gender in the Theory-Practice Learning Issues at Emory issues that we have featured in the past six on Teaching? Classroom University years, I am amazed. I knew nothing about Guest Edited by Laurie Patton, Emory Guest Edited by Dr. Barbara Patterson most of the topics until I invited the guest Freund: Simply put, the purpose of University and Theophus Smith editor to do his or her work. I learned as Spotlight on Teaching (SOT) is to provide a Articles From: Fran Bantly, Nancy Falk, Fall, 2000 much from reading the revisions and final quality publication solely devoted to the Kimberley Patton, Miriam Peskowitz, Teaching the Holocaust: A Religious Studies versions of the SOT as in any course I ever scholarship of teaching about religious stud- Marcia Riggs, and Inez Talamantez Perspective took in graduate school. ies. Back in November 1992, the first issue Spring, 1998 Guest edited by Dr. Miriam Dean- of Spotlight appeared with great expectations. Teaching Religion and Film: The Founding Otting, Kenyon College, Articles by Jay RSN: Of which issues are you particularly Then Spotlight editor, W. Lee Humphreys, of a Journal Geller, Vanderbilt U., Peter Haas, Case- proud? Or, which might you consider to started off the first issue quoting from Guest Edited by Professors Ronald Burke Western Reserve U., Marilyn Salmon, be signature issues of your tenure? Ernest L. Boyer and R. Eugene Rice in and William L. Blizek, University of United Seminary of the Twin Cities, their 1990 Carnegie Foundation report. Nebraska at Omaha Royal Rhodes, Kenyon College Freund: The ones that I think will be Boyer and Rice suggested a reconfiguration Articles by: Method: Barbara DeConcini, signature issues of my tenure are the of our perceptions about what constitutes Spring, 2001 Irena Makarushka, Conrad Oswalt, Paul editions that are coming up in the next year. our work in the academy. They found that Teaching Religion and Music Flesher, and Robert Torry, Gordon The topic in this edition of RSN is interna- this work encompasses four overlapping Guest edited by Dr. Tazim Kassam, Matties, Mara Donaldson and Ann tional. Hugh S. Pyper of Leeds University functions of scholarship — the scholarship Syracuse University Pearson. has edited a series of articles on teaching of discovery, the scholarship of integration, Fall, 2001 and learning issues in teaching religion and the scholarship of application, and the schol- Fall, 1998 Teaching about Religion and Theology in the theology in Great Britain. Upcoming edi- arship of teaching. Professor Humphreys This was a SBL specially funded edition. United Kingdom: An International Report tions include Teaching about Religion in the and the AAR took up the challenge Teaching the Bible: Initiations and Guest edited by Hugh S. Pyper, Middle and High Schools, and Teaching presented by the Boyer and Rice report by Transformations University of Leeds Religion in Community Colleges. establishing a publication to provide a Guest Edited by J. Bradley Chance, forum for AAR members to communicate William Jewell College, MO Winter, 2001 RSN: What makes a good editor of a their work on the scholarship of teaching Articles by Rodney K. Duke, Milton P. Teaching about Religion in the Schools publication like Spotlight? about religious studies both to members Horne, Baruch Levine, and Jonathan Z. Bruce Grelle, California State and Keith and to the broader public. Smith. Naylor, Occidental University, guest editors Freund: I can only speak for my Spring, 2002 May, 1999 experience. I think the same ingredient I had met and studied with Professor Teaching Religious Studies and Theology in The Syllabi Project of the American that makes a good teacher and researcher Humphreys in the early 1990s, at the first the Community College Setting Academy of Religion is what makes a good editor of Spotlight: Lilly Teaching workshop. The session was Kerry Edwards, Red Rocks Community Guest Edited by Raymond Williams taking risks, being willing to take a led by Professor Raymond Williams and College, CO, and Linda Smith, Hawkeye Syllabi by: Schoedel, Pulley, Mamiya, hypothetical question and see it through, held at Wabash college. I became con- Tech, IA, guest editors Morrison, Hulsether, Bach, and McGee. and not being afraid to learn something vinced that “scholarship of teaching” had November, 1999 Fall, 2002 new. Being willing to learn new things and the power to unlock the “hidden signifi- A Top Ten List of Pedagogical Works for the Teaching about Material Culture and searching out ideas and methodologies in cance” of religious studies in the Academy. Millennium Religious Studies which I may not be an expert certainly are Moreover, the fact that two excellent schol- Vivian-Lee Nyitray, Universit of foremost in my experience. It means not ars were involved in this effort made the California, Riverside, guest editor. accepting a single “formula” for how to entire enterprise all the more intriguing. present information about pedagogy. Most When Humphreys completed his stint as importantly, it means realizing that you the founding editor, I was interested in Freund: I have been around the United Freund: I think that I have a different are neither omniscient nor a mind reader. continuing the work with basically the States in the past six years as Editor of concept for editing than many other edi- I frequently ask the guest editor why same purpose of highlighting the scholar- Spotlight, and have attended all of the tors. I did not allow myself the luxury of certain people and issues are important. I ship of teaching as defined by the AAR. national and many regional AAR confer- thinking I can discern what our AAR have discovered that most of the guest ences. By far, the most rewarding accom- members might be interested in reading editors really understand their teaching RSN: Has Spotlight on Teaching succeeded? plishment of Spotlight has been in one area about in Spotlight. My guest-editing con- intuitively, but welcome the opportunity that I never expected: gratitude for the cept is built around already existing net- to spell out what they are doing. Freund: I think that Spotlight has been professional organization’s efforts in this works, which I noticed exist in many areas a breakthrough accomplishment for the area. Faculty members thank me for rein- of Religious Studies. Most of us who go to RSN: How has your teaching and AAR. In the 1990s, many other scholarly vigorating their teaching. Graduate stu- the national and regional meetings spend pedagogy changed as a result? societies’ publications tended to get dents have, for the first time, a regular time with a variety of groups that often bogged down with questions about what forum for thinking about the develop- span some of our research, but regularly Freund: I have had an interest in the constituted the research methodologies ment of course work, course choices, call upon us to interact with groups and question of pedagogy since I first started my and limits of their disciplines. While some departmental sequencing, and the place- networks with which we do not really share college career. In addition to my departments of Religious Studies experienced ment of religious studies in the Academy. a research interest. I found myself going to academic degrees, I actually have two teach- “identity crises” that nearly ended in many different sessions, encountering many ing certificates from teachers colleges. I was disaster for the field, SOT defined religious RSN: What has been your editorial vision? different networks, and learning that this is unsure at what level — elementary, second- studies in a totally new and extremely a very successful model for reaching out to ary, university — and in what context — attractive way for universities. The Freund: I had originally envisioned the very diverse groups making up the public or private — I was going to teach! publication has highlighted how the SOT as a place where the scholarship of AAR. I went to sessions at national and When I came to Raymond Williams’ first teaching of religious studies is inherently teaching would be discussed in a respon- regional meetings and listened to what peo- Lilly/AAR teaching workshop in the early interdisciplinary at a time when universities sive and readily available fashion, and not ple were teaching and talking about, (not 1990s, I was searching for a way to reinvigo- are searching for more interdisciplinary just twice per year. I envisioned an elec- necessarily researching), and then said, rate my teaching. I had been teaching for 10 work. As universities search for meaningful tronic version of SOT that would be avail- “Hey, that is interesting, and that person years in a variety of different settings ways to teach values, diversity, interna- able, as a professional service, to all people has something to say about it.” tional perspectives, and critical thinking, who logged on to the AAR web site. I also See FREUND, p.20 SOT shows how the teaching, research, Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 15 Religious Studies News, AAR Edition Member-at-Large Religion and Sports: an The Ritual Singing of the interview with member Joe National Anthem Price on the American pastimes. Joe Price

Joseph L. Price is Professor of Religious Studies, Whittier According to some, the earliest Fred Thomas,] stood at civilian salute, College, and associate editor of JAAR. He has performed connection between The Star Spangled the Great Lakes sailor coming to the the National Anthem at 18 ballparks across the U.S. Banner and baseball was made on May military pose” [NY Times, 9/06/1918, 15, 1862, when a band is thought to p. 14]. The pre-game ceremony on that non. Of course, the political “denomina- have played the tune at the opening of afternoon had been minimal. While the RSN: Tell us about your new edited tion” is what we usually call “civil reli- the Capitolene Grounds in New York. managers and umpires were exchanging volume, From Season to Season (Mercer gion.” In addition to the political tradi- Association of The Star Spangled line-up cards at home plate and going University Press). tion, there are economic, entertainment, Banner with Major League games over the ground rules, a huge horseshoe and sporting “denominations.” Even the began, according to others, when the of roses was presented to Cubs manager Price: It’s a collection of essays written “academy” itself can be analyzed effectively New York Highlanders (Yankees) Fred Mitchell, and a big bouquet of out of the sports passions of several scholars in terms of its principles, rituals, and tra- played on April 30, 1903. Although roses was handed to Cubs third base- in religious and literary studies. Some of dition that identify it as one form of civil the song was occasionally played at man Charles Deal. the essays were originally written for presen- religion. One of the great contributions of important public events at the turn of tation at academic meetings and various uni- the civil religion discussion has been its the twentieth century, Columbia, Gem Since the end of the Spanish American versities while others were developed specifi- opening up of new levels of understanding of the Ocean was much more popular War two decades earlier, bands had cally for this project. Although Michael that one can simultaneously be a part of for bands to play at ballparks. played The Star Spangled Banner on Novak and Charles Prebish have previously more than one religious tradition: a tradi- festive public occasions as part of a considered sports as religion, these essays tional community of faith, a civil religion, The era was one that featured live brass patriotic repertoire that included address major seasonal sports within the a sporting allegiance, and such. bands because public address America and Yankee Doodle. The Star context of an American cultural calendar. systems and amplification technology Spangled Banner had steadily gained This orientation suggests that some sports RSN: What accounts for your own interest? had not yet been developed. They popularity in the intervening years are more meaningful to some fans than would not be installed at a ballpark because of its rousing patriotic charac- others, while a devoted sports junkie, for Price: I’m not quite sure why baseball until 1929, again in New York, in “the ter, and in the year of Red Sox-Cubs instance, might experience a coherent litur- first attracted me, I do recall specifically house that Ruth built.” Anecdotal World Series, a formal proposal was gical calendar in the shift from baseball sea- why I became a devout Yankees fan. In reports state that The Star Spangled made in Congress to adopt it as the son to football to basketball. itself, that surely must have seemed like a Banner was played at a ballgame in National Anthem. But the expansive heresy to most of my Mississippi relatives 1916 following a request by President melodic range of The Star Spangled RSN: What is its audience? who then still cringed at the affectionate Woodrow Wilson. At least one report Banner prompted enough objections mention of anything labeled “Yankee.” In claims that a band played the song at for the bill to be defeated that year, Price: The work is designed to prompt early October 1956, I read an account of the opening game between Cleveland and again in 1921, 1923, and 1925. interest among scholars and students who the World Series perfect game pitched by and New York for the 1917 season. Prompted by a petition with six examine American culture: its rituals, Don Larsen. Since I was a preacher’s kid million signatures, the bill was submit- myths, and religions. But the audience for and frequently heard sermons and lessons The first indisputable record of the ted to Congress again in 1931 and the volume is not exclusively academic. about the quest for spiritual perfection, I playing of The Star Spangled Banner signed into law on May 3rd by The essays are also geared toward the figured that I should become a fan of the for a Major League game was for a Herbert Hoover. intelligent, inquisitive fan — a person team that had, at least on one occasion, unique World Series. The premature who enjoys reading George Will or John achieved that goal: series in 1918 featured Babe Ruth and Unlike its timing at Wrigley Field, the Updike on sports. perfection. On October 9, 1956, as I read the Boston Red Sox winning their last band at Fenway started the 4th game the story about the game in the Jackson Series against the even more hapless of the 1918 World Series with the The RSN: It’s World Series time, so let me Clarion-Ledger, I became a convert — a Cubs. A year earlier the World Series Star Spangled Banner. The New York ask, what do you think accounts for base- Southerner devoted to the Yankees. had been unaffected by the United Times referred to it as “The National ball’s attractiveness to intellectuals? Or States’ entry into the World War. But Anthem” the following day-a designa- maybe I should say, to the thoughtful fan? RSN: Have you ever taken a class to a game? following the completion of the 1917 tion it had earlier received from season, players enlisted and were draft- Woodrow Wilson. Despite the delay in Price: I’ve heard several theories, none of Price: On several occasions, I have ed into the armed services. At the play this occasion, the patriotic crowd which have to do with academics as much taken or accompanied classes to ball height of the 1918 season, baseball was greeted wounded soldiers in uniform as with a reflective sort of fan. Because of games. One of the courses that I most classified as a non-essential occupation. with a wild applause and enthusiastic its pace, baseball affords the opportunity for enjoy teaching is Sport, Play, and Ritual. I Consequently, the government cut the cheers when the men, most of whom reflection and conversation during the game have students attend a baseball game and season short, requiring the end of regu- were bandaged and on crutches, were in ways that few other sports encourage. occasionally write papers about the spiritu- lar season play by Labor Day and the shown to their seats. Between pitches, it’s possible for fans not al elements and concerns of films and fic- completion of the World Series by only to analyze the play or pitch, but also to tion about the game. Films such as The mid-September. During the next few years, The Star remember heroes and events and to muse Natural, Bull Durham, Major League, Spangled Banner was played at World about the meaning of the game. Field of Dreams, and stories by W. P. The playing of The Star Spangled Series games and on holiday occasions. Kinsella and David James Duncan afford Banner can first be verified by a New Beginning in World War II, however, Doris Kearns Goodwin and others have students a range of possibilities to reflect York Times report of the 1918 World the National Anthem, as it had become suggested that the early broadcast of base- on baseball and the meaning of life. I’ve Series. In the inning-by-inning recap officially designated by then, began to ball games on radio provided a kind of accompanied two other classes to games of the first game, the report of the bot- be played and performed regularly at narrative structure that helped to shape — one on sports literature and another on tom of the seventh inning notes that as games. Since then, it has been associat- fans’ perspectives. Players’ statistics have sports history. I’ve also taken other groups the Cubs came to bat, “the band halted ed with the exchange of line-up cards at long been a part of the reports about the of students to games for which I have the proceedings by playing ‘The Star home plate and the cry of the home games, generating numerous possibilities sung the national anthem. Spangled Banner.’ The players, with the plate umpire, “Play ball.” for doing complex calculations. The exception of [Red Sox’ third baseman formulae for computing a pitcher’s earned RSN: Say more about singing the run average and a hitter’s slugging percentage national anthem at games. I understand appeal to the intellect in ways that distinguish it’s a pastime of yours. baseball from many other sports. Price: Since I love to sing and since I It’s also possible that the game has a certain love baseball, singing the national anthem Price: When I was attending The RSN: Do any other sports or events pro- intellectual appeal because it is often at Major League games has provided a University of Chicago, I started to root for vide points of contact with your profes- learned from a mentor, from members of chance to combine my passions. It’s also the White Sox and Cubs — without com- sional life? an older generation. Donald Hall, in his given me the opportunity to see games promising my allegiance to the Yankees! wonderful book, Fathers Playing Catch with from seats that would be far too expensive Because I sang oratorios and cantatas Price: For several years I have conducted Sons, suggests this. Hall also reckons that for my professorial salary. After I had sung throughout the Chicago area, I requested research on the Super Bowl as the center one of the appeals of the game is that, the anthem at two or three stadiums, I that the White Sox give me the chance to of American pilgrimage. In the coming among the threats of chaos, the game lends decided to make its performance a hobby. sing the national anthem. My appeal to Bill season, I hope to complete an illustrated a “momentary grace of order” to the other- Now I collect Major League stadiums in a Veeck, then owner of the White Sox, gave book on that topic. In addition, my inter- wise turbulent and tedious lives of fans. similar way to my childhood collecting of me the chance to sing on an August Sunday ests in baseball stadiums and rituals have baseball cards. During the past two afternoon. It was hardly the typical Sunday converged in a new project, which has RSN: Is baseball part of the American decades, I’ve sung at more than 30 games anthem or solo that I might offer in a Hyde taken me to the final games at six Major civil religion? in 18 different ballparks. Park sanctuary, but it did provide a kind of League stadiums. In that new project, I civil consecration of the event. am exploring the rituals of deconsecration Price: I think that it’s possible to identi- RSN: How did you start this ritual that take place after the final baseball fy baseball as one of several “denomina- tradition of yours? game in a stadium. tions” within the civil religion phenome-

16 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN Editor’s Note: This page focuses on professional practices and scholarly identity as illuminated FEATURES by a particular research project or concern. Suggestions for interviews as well as reflective essays on the challenges and opportunities around research in religion Research Briefing are encouraged. Please see page 2 for details on submissions. changed over time. One big difference, fashion for the sake of the faith. In his I think, is that we’re interested in recent book, Leigh Schmidt reveals how A conversation with James Hudnut- materialized religious experience. Enlightenment philosophers led Americans to be suspicious of the sense of Beumler, Vanderbilt University, RSN: Let’s back up a bit and ask how hearing, especially when it came to the project got started. religious faith. Schmidt is the recipient of Director of the Material History of the 2001 Award for Excellence in Religious Hudnut-Beumler: For some years, the Studies in Historical Studies. Associate Lilly Endowment has been supporting director Daniel Sack’s book looks at the American Religion Project research about the financing of American reli- various roles that food has played in the gion. When denominations and congrega- lives of mainline Protestants, finding faith The Material History of American tions became concerned about budget short- commitments and social norms in things Religion Project is supported by the Lilly falls and declines in giving, the Endowment that many believers take for granted. Endowment, Inc., and based at Vanderbilt commissioned some studies about giving pat- Divinity School. Its address is: terns and stewardship. As I read some of the Several other projects are still in process. Material History of American Religion early work, however, I sensed that it needed Colleen McDannell is completing an Project, more historical context. How has giving to examination of Depression-era government The Divinity School the church changed over time? What about photographs, analyzing the ways in which Vanderbilt University clergy salaries? How did colonial churches the photographers saw or ignored religion Nashville, TN 37240; pay their bills? The further I got into these in the lives of their subjects. [Editor’s E-MAIL: [email protected]; questions, the more I realized that they were Note: McDannell contributed a photo WEB: http://www.materialreligion.org part of a larger set of issues, about material- essay based on this project to the February ism and materiality in American religion. 2000 issue of RSN.] Marie Griffith is Americans’ attitudes towards materialism working on an account of bodily have shaped financial practices. Those atti- disciplines, particularly the connection Americans have used material objects — RSN: Let’s start with an obvious question. tudes are the larger context for understanding between diet and devotion. Robert Orsi buildings, clothing, movies, for instance — What do you mean by “material history”? the financial history. The Endowment agreed, has been interviewing Catholic adults, in their religious lives, and in how those and has supported a project to investigate this getting their memories of the material objects have interacted in their sense worlds Hudnut-Beumler: We mean material history. We recruited a group of his- experience of pre-Vatican II Catholic to shape religious beliefs and practices. American religious history done with major torians to help us investigate this history from childhoods. Judith Weisenfeld has watched attention to non-textual artifacts and prac- a variety of angles. hundreds of mid-twentieth century RSN: This sounds like the kind of mate- tices, and what these tell us about how peo- movies, watching for how they presented rial culture studies that art historians and ple have lived their religion. My colleagues RSN: Tell us about some of those projects. religion, race, and gender. My own anthropologists have been doing for years. and I have tried to be attentive to the history research is leading towards a history of of material objects and material practices in Hudnut-Beumler: Let me quickly financial practices in American religion. Hudnut-Beumler: Yes, but it goes religion as a useful counterpoint to the intel- summarize each of them. A few of our beyond that. Sure, we’re interested in lectual or institutional histories we learned in scholars have already published the results RSN: That’s a wide range of projects. material culture — we have done a lot of graduate school. We sense that historians — of their research. Diane Winston looked at our research using artifacts — but we’ve and particularly historians of American the Salvation Army, and found that Hudnut-Beumler: Yes, but they fit worked to relate them to their historical religion — have been so caught up in the material objects are very important in its together pretty well. Essentially, they are and theological contexts. We want to role of ideas and movements that they have history. She tells how early members saw all about what it means to be religious in a know the role these artifacts play in often missed how important religious stuff is putting on the Army uniform as an almost people’s religious lives, and how that has in people’s lives. We are interested in how religious rite, sacrificing their love of See HUDNUT-BEUMLET, p.20

Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 17 Religious Studies News, AAR Edition

Now, don’t get me wrong. These habits — Second, senior scholars must model the From the Student Desk individual work and original contributions kinds of collaborative, interdisciplinary — have brought many discoveries over work we want to see in our disciplines. the centuries of scholarly study of religion. Senior scholars need to offer classes that of James F. Caccamo But, these habits are the opposite of those are interdisciplinary and that are team- needed for success in the necessary and taught. Many could start by offering more valuable endeavor of collaborative, courses which cross the sometimes rigid James F. Caccamo, is a doctoral candidate in Christian Ethics at interdisciplinary work. To succeed at lines of sub-specialty within our own Loyola University, Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected]. collaboration, we need to be as open to departments. And importantly, scholars and interested in the views of others as we must pursue collaborative research are in our own. We need to be willing to ventures themselves. This must start with Plays Well With Others — Does Doctoral Training Prepare Us for see the results of collaboration as more tenured faculty members, since they have than a collection of individual less need to demonstrate individual Interdisciplinary Collaboration? contributions, but as something new, scholarship for the sake of promotion. created by the group. To succeed at inter- Without role models and mentors in HIS SEMESTER, I had my first expe- Doctoral education is as much about disciplinary work, we have to be humble collaboration, students will not value it. rience team-teaching a class. It was a training work habits and critical thinking enough about the limitations of our own new interdisciplinary course on media practices as it is about learning a subject in T field to accept that our approach may not Finally, we need to open up university and religion taught across three detail. However, few students have the have all the answers. Without these skills, hiring, tenure, and merit evaluation prac- universities using videoconferencing and the opportunity to learn the habits that collaboration is bound to frustrate more tices so that collaborative work is reward- web heavily throughout the course. support collaborative work. By and large, than enlighten. ed, not punished. It still looks better to Intellectually, pedagogically, and logistically, it students learn research skills by working have your own book on a cv rather than a was unlike anything I had ever done before. alone. Comprehensive exams and the If the current call for more interdisciplinary co-authored book. It is rarely as notewor- dissertation are solo projects. Scholarly cred- research and teaching is to be answered thy to chair a conference session or Unfortunately, that was not always good. ibility is based on what we can do on our adequately, we need to augment the way respond to a paper as it is to present orig- For instance, despite the fact that all three own. More important, students are trained we train and reward scholars. First, future inal research. instructors shared a vision for the course, it to compete with other scholars. Scholarly scholars must be trained to appreciate the was not always easy to work together. At success depends upon the unique contribu- contributions of other scholars and Of course, interdisciplinary excellence times, the diverse approaches of our disci- tion an individual makes to the field. After disciplines. Programs, for instance, could will always depend upon disciplinary plines to the material led us to misunder- spending a couple of years working on a not just allow, but require students to take excellence, and collaborative work will standings and impasses. I found the work project whose success depends, in part, electives outside their discipline. Students always depend upon the quality contribu- easy, but working together difficult. upon the inadequacies could be required to work collaboratively tions of individuals. But if we ever truly Interdisciplinary and collaborative work of previous scholarship, we can get into the on research or conference presentations. want collaborative, interdisciplinary work took a different set of skills than those I habit of devaluing the ideas of others, or Interdisciplinary methods could be taught to be more than a slogan, we need to have been taught to use in my own research begin to see their ideas as a threat. as a worthy topic of study, or count as train scholars to do it, to show it being and teaching. research tools. done, and to reward it when it succeeds.

Report from Cuernavaca: Editor’s Note: RSN asked Rudy V. Busto, a participant in the West region Postcards from a Global Village Lilly/Luce Teaching Workshop, Teaching in the Global Village, to reflect on its sessions this summer in Mexico. Rudy V. Busto, Stanford University United States, reminded me that diversity in meanders from the meal to pedagogy, we HERE IS A MYSTERIOUS stone have journeying below the border. On the classroom is usually on our terms and are literally surrounded by “religion” and sculpture at Xochicalco. On its occasion, we would compare our latest sou- rarely challenges the comfort levels of our again I wonder about the distance between T museum pedestal it stands six feet venir bargains with the same intense com- students. Now, however, in “Old” Mexico, religion professors and the commotion of high and is unlike any other known parative scrutiny of each others’ pills and our discussions ranged over similar turf but religious and ethnic diversity swirling monument in Mexican archaeology. potions pulled from our luggage in the the experience of being “minorities” (U.S. around us. Painted red, El Señor de Rojo (The Red event of “Montezuma’s revenge.” I arrrived citizens, Canadians, Protestants, Muslims, Lord) was discovered by archaeologists in Mexico with that combination of middle-class, etc.) on the streets of Teaching religion in the context of the violently removed from its place of honor at fascination and fear. But unlike my Cuernavaca gave us all pause for reflection. global village is akin to deciphering the the core of the acropolis. Was it invasion? colleagues, for me Mexico is the motherland Unlike Santa Fe’s neatly ordered plaza, mysteries at Xochicalco. There are texts, Internal faction? Perhaps a rival deity from my grandparents fled at the start of the Cuernavaca’s crowded zocalo — jammed symbolic systems, enacted rituals, feelings, the abandoned center of Teotihuacan, from Mexican Revolution. My grandfather, a with strolling families, beggars, steaming generations, sounds, conflicted histories, Cacaxtla, or from the jungles of the Maya conscripted soldier for the oppressive (forbidden!) food carts, tourists, indigenous and cultural demise here. How do we, as had come to challenge the power of the Red Porfirist regime, and his betrothed danzantes and elderly couples dancing the conferred experts in religion, decode and Lord. Along with rows of macabre stone sweetheart, my grandmother, fled the vio- tango — shows us that the realities and risks translate such worlds to our students? skulls, enigmatic glyphs and a pyramid lence of the northern campaigns and quietly of religious and ethnic diversity are simply When does academic training and façade covered with writhing feathered slipped into Arizona. The workshop excur- unavoidable. In fact, this real world of puz- classroom convention get in the way of serpents, the Red Lord is only one of the sion to the baroque colonial city, Taxco, zling and incommensurable differences can knowing, teaching, and even seeing tantalizing mysteries unearthed at this forti- brought me within the borders of Guerrero, be as tragic and ubiquitous as the begging religion? In Mexico, language and cultural fied precolumbian city. The curator’s label my grandmother’s birthplace. As a children pleading with us to buy their one differences heighten the unfamiliar and tells us that the Red Lord, represents a male Chicano born in Arizona, my grandparents’ peso chiclets. We tend to ignore the urgency expose our helplessness. It aids our (!) figure seated atop the symbol for “move- epic and nostalgic Mexico is as foreign to at our heels, or dismiss it with a polite but understanding of the commensurability ment. “Its robust aesthetic appeal and me as Mexico today must seem for most of insistent “¡No, gracias!” On our way to din- issues in unexpected ways. For participants delicate carving suggests a major divinity for my workshop colleagues. Chicano mythol- ner one night we walk down Calle without Spanish or a translator companion, the inhabitants of a city the Aztecs centuries ogy holds that before the Aztecs built their Matamoros: “Slay the Moors Street” — the simple act of ordering lunch becomes a later imagined to be the terrestrial paradise fabulous city in the middle of a lake, the what do my Muslim companions think dreaded and sometimes embarrassing task. of the gods. But like many things in the ancestors emerged out of the Seven Caves in about this? I think about how the celebration This despite the fact that in the classroom study and teaching of religion, the curator’s “the land of whiteness” far into the north. of religious pluralism by scholars in the U.S. is we presume to translate religion to our label is only an informed interpretation, at Aztlán, a mythological eden that became the disputed on this tiny street, at this moment. students without the attendant anxieties best an incomplete translation of a living, United States in 1848, a place where the such a process should entail. breathing religious system removed from Aztec prophets augured their descendents A Mexico venue provided us with the our modern day classrooms, libraries, and would return. For Chicanos/as, journeying opportunity to experience religion in We are pushing through a throng of people our internet-driven students. to Mexico is part of a longer pilgrimage of another local corner of the global village. outside the lucha libre (wrestling) arena. leavings and returns. One afternoon we are treated to a proces- The roar from the crowd inside is earsplit- For many of the workshop participants sion of Chinelos, masked dancing figures, ting: tonite it is Son of The Jalisco Flash scrambling around the ruins at Xochicalco In an odd symmetry, the workshop began in the street directly in front of our hotel. versus Villano III. Lucha libre. One of remains one of the highlights of the last year in New Mexico, where discussions As we rush out to enjoy the costumed Mexico’s newest religions. The sidewalk “Teaching in the Global Village” experience. invariably led to issues of diversity in our “French” figures shuffling and jumping merchant’s rows of wrestling masks are lined The week of speakers, project reports, peda- classrooms, our departments, and the behind a Catholic saint pulled on a wagon up like the displayed skulls at Xochicalco. gogy workshops and site visits in and “problem” of religious and ethnic diversity by devotees, it is unclear what my role is Although I may fancy a genealogy from the around Cuernavaca found us deep in central in the U.S. Northern New Mexico gave us here: tourist? tour guide? detached pro- staged violence of a precolumbian sacrificial Mexico, far from the hamburgerized northern a taste of that diversity with the exotic over- fessor? grandson? While enjoying lunch altar to the theatrics of the freestyle wrestling border towns of Tijuana or Nogales. Most lays of Native American, Spanish, and and the luscious lemonade at Sanborns on ring, I can see that meaning is also formed workshoppers had never been to this part of Mexican histories in Santa Fe’s recreated Sunday afternoon, children in their church in the present. But how can we know what Mexico. For some, the prospect of an entire colonial plaza. Nevertheless, the availability clothes scurry and chase around us bran- to imagine or say when we are not exactly week in central Mexico conjured up nervous of lattés, the English language, and all the dishing balloon swords for the feast day of sure what it is we are seeing: Red Lord or excitement and the fear many U.S. travellers other comforts of a conference site in the Sts. Peter and Paul. As our conversation curator’s label? Mask or skull?

18 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN FEATURES Editor’s Note: Department Meeting “Department Meeting” is a regular feature of RSN sponsored by the AAR’s Academic Relations Program. Recently, Edward R. Gray, Director of Academic Relations, spoke with the chair of the Department of Religion at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Trinity is an independent institution founded by Presbyterians, enrolling 2400 undergraduate and 200 A Conversation with graduate students. Trinity emphasizes the liberal arts and sciences but also offers select professional and graduate (Masters) programs. The Department of Religion has seven full-time faculty, all tenured or Professor C. Mackenzie Brown, tenure-track, including one endowed chair, and an additional part-time, adjunct position. During the sixties and early seventies the Department evolved from offering a primarily Bible-oriented, text-based Chair, Department of Religion curriculum to a comprehensive religious studies program. The Department is continuing to evolve, with increasing emphasis on minority, multicultural, and popular aspects of religious experience. The Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas Department currently has a relatively small number of majors; typically 6-10 graduates a year, but contributes significantly to the “Common Curriculum” or general education program. Departmental Brown received his BA from Stanford task when an instructor has seventy to faculty have for many years been very active in University leadership. University in History (1967), and a PhD ninety students each semester. from Harvard University in the History of non-Western/non-European religious tradi- Department in the last three decades (one Gray: What do you see as the major Religions with specialization in Sanskrit and tion, and one thematic course such as resignation and one retirement in the last challenges to achieving some of the Indian Studies (1973). He has taught at Contemporary Religious Thought; Religion two years). Accordingly, our program has pedagogical goals just mentioned? Trinity University for the last 28 years, offer- and Prejudice; Religion and the Holocaust; or been in considerable flux, and students have ing the introductory Asian Religions course as Narratives in the Hebrew Bible. In addition, to reacquaint themselves with Department Brown: Probably breaking through well as courses in the Hindu and Buddhist we have a capstone course, Approaches to the faculty. Close ties between students and fac- traditions. He has authored three books, all student perceptions of what “religion” is. Study of Religion, which is strongly ulty has always been one of our main dealing with medieval Sanskrit (Puranic) For instance, in our introductory ethics recommended for all majors and minors avenues of recruitment. In addition, several texts focused on Hindu conceptions of the course, Ethical Issues in Religious Perspective, but is not currently required. members of the Department have become divine feminine. The most recent is a transla- students sometimes comment that they are heavily involved in teaching courses outside tion with commentary of the Devi Gita, or learning a lot about ethics, but aren’t sure Gray: Would you tell us something our own program, specifically in the First- Song of the Goddess. Brown is also interested about what is religious in the course. more about the capstone course? Year Seminar program. (The Religion in the interface between religion and science, Similarly in a New Testament introductory Department, incidentally, contributes more and has developed two courses in this field, course, students at times protest that they Brown: Despite the non-mandatory faculty to this program than any other including one recognized by Templeton have studied a lot of history but did not nature of the course, it is an essential part department at Trinity.) Such heavy involve- Foundation. His current research involves an learn much about religion/Christianity. of our program and serves to bring together ment impacts the number of introductory aspect of the interface of the Hindu tradition Many of our students tend to think of and western science, comparing Christian our majors and minors like no other courses that the Department offers, and thus religion as a set of beliefs, and of religious Creation Science with Hindu “Krishna course. One of our main challenges as a reduces the size of our recruitment pool. practice as primarily prayer. They are Creation Science.” Department is to provide our junior and prepared to deal with a variety of “creed- senior religion students with courses that Gray: Many departments of religion like” religious beliefs, but when confronted build on their previous academic find themselves under increasing pressure with more amorphous religious attitudes, experiences. Because the number of our from the trend toward downsizing. We see Gray: What is the organization of cultural worldviews, and “non-convention- majors and minors is small, most of our a slow erosion that comes with the failure knowledge in your department? What role al” practices, they often have trouble mak- upper division courses have modest pre- to fill tenure slots as they become vacant. does this identity play, if any, in attracting ing the necessary connections. requisites, often simply a previous course What is your situation here? undergraduate students to your program? in Religion. Upper division courses Gray: What strategies do you use to include students with little or no back- Brown: When I first came to Trinity in Brown: It is not easy to characterize the change these preconceptions? ground in the particular subject matter of 1973, there were six tenure-track slots in “organization of knowledge” in our the course. It is clearly a challenge to meet the Religion Department. There are now Department. On the one hand, the different Brown: A colleague in the Department the needs of both relatively inexperienced seven, thanks in part to the gift of an courses that we teach reflect the particular and I like to start one of our classes with and more experienced students. It is endowed chair in Religion to the interests of the faculty within the reading and discussion of Herrigel’s classic doubly so when the instructor relies University. There has thus been no erosion Department. This is especially reflected in book, Zen in the Art of Archery. We raise heavily on discussion, which often for us. The administration promptly the variety of thematic courses that we the question, is practicing archery religious? depends for its success on the general pre- approved the requests to conduct tenure- teach, such as Gender and Religion; Death Is it more or less religious than praying? paredness of the students. The capstone track searches to replace the recent losses and Beyond; African-American Religion; Fortunately, most of our students seem course provides our religion students with in the Department. We have currently Religion and Science; Popular Religion. willing to make the leap into new ways of at least one opportunity to engage in a requested permission to conduct another understanding religious life and experience. seminar-style course where all the students tenure-track search to replace one faculty On the other hand, faculty represent the are not only deeply interested in the study member who will be retiring at the end of breadth and comprehensiveness of major Gray: What other features are of religion, but also have considerable next year, and we are hopeful that this fields in the academic study of religion. distinctive of your Department’s teaching? knowledge of different religious traditions. request will also be met with approval. Four of the seven full-time faculty are Frequently on the exit interviews that we trained in areas relating predominantly to Brown: Beyond some of the basics give to graduating majors, the capstone Gray: What problems or issues will the the Judeo-Christian traditions. One is an mentioned above, it is difficult to generalize. course is mentioned as one of the high department be facing in the near future? expert in Islamic studies, and two in Asian There are practically as many different points of their experience in the Religions; one in South Asia, one in East approaches to teaching as there are faculty Department. Brown: Trinity is currently undergoing Asia. While we have sought to cover several in the Department. Some of us rely heavily a major curriculum review. While the of the major religious and cultural traditions on close reading of classical texts; others Gray: Given what you say are the small essential role of religion studies in any new of the world, we have also tried to hire, emphasize a sociological or social scientific number of majors and minors, do you curriculum is not in question, the specific with considerable success, persons with a approach to the subject matter. Some of have any deliberate efforts underway to ways in which our program will be variety of approaches to the academic study us tend to lecture, while others are almost attract more students to your program? integrated into a new curriculum will be a of religion, from textual specialists to general exclusively discussion oriented or even central issue for the Department. Another cultural historians and theologians. What push students extensively to lead classes Brown: Traditionally, the Department has concern, shared by all departments at all of this has meant for students, to themselves. And all of us are learning to shied away from concerted or explicit Trinity, is class size. At present, lower divi- paraphrase the words of one recent gradu- deal with more technology in the class- advertising efforts to increase the numbers of sion courses are often capped at 35 students, ate, is that we offer “too many riches for room, from putting syllabi online to using majors and minors, relying instead on our upper division at 25. Given the increasing any one student to be able to feast on all.” Power Point presentations. reputation for teaching challenging and trend toward discussion-oriented classes Students indicate that they appreciate the interesting courses. This has generally even in lower division classes, and for diversity of offerings, both in “Western” Gray: Would you say something about worked well over the last three decades, as we greater reliance on student-centered and “Non-western” traditions. the way your department structures the increased the numbers of majors from three learning approaches, class sizes above 25 or undergraduate major? What kinds of or four graduates a year in the ‘70’s to 10 to 30 are widely perceived by faculty as con- Gray: What is distinctive about the courses do students take to fulfill the 15 in the mid-to-late ‘90’s. This meant that trary to good pedagogy. teaching you and your colleagues do? requirements for a religion major? at any given time, in the mid-to-late ‘90’s, we had 20 to 30 majors (declared juniors and Gray: Do you have any advice you Brown: In a nutshell, dedication to the Brown: One of the aspects of our seniors), along with another 10 to 20 minors. would give to chairs or to department undergraduate student characterizes our program that students seem to like is its We have seen a bit of a drop in these num- members dealing with chairs? teaching. All of our courses are designed flexibility, compared to the often rather bers during the last two years. to introduce students, whether majors or stringent requirements in other majors. Brown: To chairs: be open and frank, non-majors, to some aspect of the Many of our students double major, so Gray: Do you have any explanation for take mentoring seriously, and try to keep academic study of religion, its methods they have ample opportunity to compare. the recent drop? ahead of problems. Don’t get on too many and approaches, and to challenge students Too great a flexibility can simply result in a committees. And when you do, constantly to think both empathetically and critically smorgasbord approach to the major, with Brown: At least some of the drop is remind yourself that you really don’t have about the religious claims, ideals, and little overall coherence and no guarantee of undoubtedly due to the conjunction of to be chair. To department members: please world views of other cultures, as well as comprehensiveness. We strive for a balance, two different phenomena. First, we have had keep in mind that someday you too may be their own. We like to think that we with three broad distributional require- three yearlong academic leaves in the last chair, even if you find such a prospect as provide students with careful and exten- ments: students must take at least one two years, and second, we experienced the difficult to imagine and as unlikely as I did sive critical feedback on all major written course in the Judaic, Christian, and/or largest turnover of faculty within the in my first twenty-five years at Trinity. or oral assignments. This is a challenging Islamic traditions, one course in Asian or

Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 19 Religious Studies News, AAR Edition

FREUND, from p.15 Judaic studies to have access to courses at universities that do have strong programs. (seminary, small college, large public universi- ty), and was looking for the context that fit me best. I discovered that it wasn’t the con- RSN: What scholarly projects are you text, but me. I think the greatest accomplish- working on? ment of editing other people’s work, and pro- ducing editions about which I knew little Freund: I am first and foremost a when I started, is the realization of how little department chair and the Director of the I knew about different “ways of knowing.” Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Many people say they recognize different Studies at the University of Hartford, “ways of knowing,” but I wonder how many which offers three bachelor of arts degrees. appreciate these “ways of knowing” as being These comprise a degree in Judaic Studies, as important and relevant as their own “way”. Jewish Music, and Cantorate together with the well known music school, the Hartt If one thing has changed as a result of my School of Music at the University of teaching and learning experiences, both with Hartford; a degree in Judaic Studies and the Committee on Teaching and Learning of Elementary Education (with state the AAR and the editorship of Spotlight, it is certification) together with the School of that I am now more comfortable teaching in Education at the University of Hartford; any context. It is not the context that mat- and a BA degree in Judaic Studies. We also ters, but my relation to the learners who sit maintain a very active non-credit commu- with me in my classroom. Since my class- nity educational program and a Holocaust rooms might include a 5 x 5 meter archaeo- Teachers Workshop for Middle and High logical square as often as a seminar room in School teachers. I am also the Director of my own university, I now use different the Henry Luce Forum in Abrahamic forms of learning (including service learn- Religions, a joint program I administer ing), and pedagogical models unknown to with Hartford Seminary’s Duncan Black me when I began teaching in 1981. Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations. RSN: What are your current pedagogic My primary research for the past 15 years has interests? been in the area of the biblical archaeology and the relations between Jews and Christians in Freund: I am attempting to create “ped- the early first and second centuries of the agogically sound” distance learning oppor- Common Era. I continue to write on how lit- tunities for faculty in Judaic studies. Judaic erary texts — and especially manuscripts of studies is a growth field in Religious classical religious texts — tell us much more Studies which, like religious studies itself, when they are understood together with the boasts a variety of different sub-specialties. material culture of the period. I am interested in finding ways of allowing universities with strong programs and fac- In a way, I feel that there is a connection ulties to share the wealth of their resources between my scholarly projects and what I with universities that either do not have a have been doing in my work on SOT. That Judaica specialist or have only one specialist is, I have been facilitating AAR members to with limited breadth. In theory, distance present written texts about the varied material learning would allow universities without culture of our Academy’s legacy: our teaching. strong departments (or even courses) in

HUDNUT-BEUMLET , from p.17 and several of them have written journal research with congregational life. We it suggests that even they can do primary articles. We’ve done panels for academic think this is important. We believe that field-based research that will be original. material world. How do humans conferences, both together and individually. clergy people can learn a lot about their This summer, we’re inviting a group of encounter the divine through the bodily congregations by paying attention to the teachers from colleges and seminaries to senses? How do they use their financial We knew from the start, however that we kinds of things we’re looking at. For meet with our scholars. We’ll be doing resources to support their faith communities? wanted to do more than that. With a lot of instance, what can you learn about a some master classes and some “show-and- How do physical disciplines or clothing projects like this, people only get to see the congregation by looking at the kinds of tell” sessions. We hope everyone comes influence devotions? All of these questions results once the work is finished. The pictures they have on their walls and in away excited about new approaches to are part of the material history in which researchers publish the book or books and their attics? What can you learn about teaching American religion. we are interested. say, “Here: we’re done.” The project’s audi- their faith commitments by going to a ence doesn’t have an opportunity to get church potluck? This material history is RSN: What kinds of sources have you involved with the work. We’ve been address- small, but not trivial — it reveals a lot ENVIRONMENT, from p.10 used in your research? ing this from the very beginning. The most about a religious community. If a minister, important part has been our web site. It has priest, or rabbi pays attention to these things, The UCS report is notable for its ecu- Hudnut-Beumler: It obviously a range of material that would never appear she or he is going to understand the congre- menical position on cloth vs. disposable varies from project to project, but each all together in a published book. It has some gation better and is going to serve it better. diapers, paper vs. plastic grocery bags, one of us has ended up using material not works in progress, and a collection of bibli- paper plates and napkins vs. china and previously tapped by historians. In her ographies, and other reference guides. We’ve RSN: That’s important. How do you cloth, newspaper vs. polystyrene for pack- research, for instance, Judith Weisenfeld, also put together a collection of objects and think your research could change the way aging, and so on. When you are in a water spent a lot of time looking through the documents that we’ve encountered in our people teach about American religion? cooler discussion with someone from your production files for the films in which research. The collection includes a wide vari- chemistry department, don’t let them she’s interested, paying attention to how ety of things, such as the 1854 Hudnut-Beumler: It’s something convince you with an argument on one the director’s understanding of the movie financial report of a church publishing we’ve been thinking about from the very side or another on these questions. Just ask changed, and how the production code of house, and a contemporary advertisement beginning. All kinds of interesting how often he or she gets a burger from a the mid-twentieth century censored certain for an evangelical credit card. We want visi- research in American religious history has drive-thru and strike up the litany: it’s your movies. Dan Sack spent a lot of time tors to the site to see how rich this material been published over the last decade or so. driving and eating, stupid! reading church newsletters and what he is, and how much we can learn about People have been writing about practice in calls “fun books” — books written to help American religion by paying attention to its American religion and visual culture. This The answer to the opening question: proba- church social committees plan their material history. Every object featured is research has changed the way scholars see bly a toss up between the sun-grown coffee church meals. Bob Orsi has been doing a interpreted from some religious studies the field — paying more attention to the (depending on the extent it may have been lot of oral history. I’ve been looking at the perspective. people in the pews, looking at religious involved in habitat destruction and its ener- memoirs of clergy wives, where they behavior, and finding religion in gy requirements for delivery), and the plastic remember how hard it was to get by on a RSN: Who is the audience for your work? unexpected places. Unfortunately, this water bottle/glossy magazine (depending on small salary. It’s a rich variety of material, research hasn’t made it into a lot of class- the energy requirements for their delivery and it reveals things that are missed if one Hudnut-Beumler: A large part of rooms. Many of the standard textbooks on and proper recycling). only considers more traditional sources. our audience is scholars and teachers of American religion still rely on the “great- American religion. We’ve talked with men-and-movements” approach, leaving John P. Harrison is the Deputy Executive RSN: How are you publicizing results of them at conferences and they’ve submitted students with a thin understanding of Director for the American Academy of your research? material for the web site. But we have also what it means to be religious in America. Religion and a past science advisor to the have reached history buffs, clergy, and The kind of material we’re finding can Meeting Planners International “Green Hudnut-Beumler: Well, a lot of it religious practitioners across an astound- help make that understanding richer. It Meetings” Committee. has been in the usual ways. Everyone in the ing range. The Lilly Endowment is partic- also excites students — it is full of great project has written or is writing a book, ularly interested in connecting our kind of stories and it is very visual. Most importantly,

20 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN FEATURES

impression that George W. Bush thought Whatever the legislative prospects for H.R. In the Public Interest up the idea of faith-based delivery of gov- 7, there will be more faith-based suppli- ernment social and community programs. cants for public dollars. This may lead to Nothing is further from the truth, and the interesting, if cutthroat, competition in the President would be the first to say so. name of God, especially if the Bush social Government Faith-based Initiatives and Religion Religious organizations have accessed pub- budget shrinks rather than expands. H.R. 7 lic funds — federal, state and local-for actually includes an allocation to help faith- Elliott Wright 1964 allows religious organizations to dis- decades. Their programs fall into two basic based providers receive training and techni- criminate on religious grounds in internal hir- types: social services (e.g., health, rehabilita- cal assistance. Also, an 11th hour provision Elliott Wright is a member of the steering ing, the many faith-related providers of social tion, and child and senior care) and com- seems to open the door to suits against any committee of the AAR Church-State and community services have generally munity development. The first type is gen- level of government if a faith-based organi- Study Group. He is an independent observed the full civil rights agenda when erally described as “charitable.” The second zation is denied a contract or grant. This author who has worked on information- spending public money. is more concerned with community, family, should terrify municipal governments that al publications on the Bush Faith-based and individual economic empowerment, and deal with Community Development Block Initiatives for several national religious The notion of charitable choice was includes affordable housing, business and Grants and other such funds. and secular organizations. introduced in the Welfare Reform Act of job development, and the formation and 1996. That legislative innovation, under strengthening of community financial Religious Caution RESIDENT BUSH’S “Faith-based the sponsorship of then Senator John institutions. Most organizations in these One of the new twists in the Bush agenda is and Community Initiatives,” an Ashcroft, is highly relevant to the current networks are and will continue to be free- the government recruitment of religious effort to expand religious delivery debate. Charitable choice attracted very, standing corporations. P social service providers. The voluntary prin- of publicly funded social programs, has very few users at the height of welfare ciple prevailed in the past, and religious enlivened political and religious life. It has reform. Most of the considerable number Religious organizations seeking government groups molded their service auxiliaries to fit triggered a constitutional debate and of religious organizations that participated funding to pursue general public good must the general patterns of professional providers. forced instructive examination of an issue in welfare-to-work were established, sepa- take seriously structural and legal considera- Now, the Administration and the majority in of importance to both the academic study rately incorporated social service agencies, tions. It would be foolhardy for any religious the House are saying to religious organiza- of religion and theological education. or groups of volunteers helping job seekers entity to take on a major public or private tions, “Let government hire you to handle What are the social roles of faith groups in without contract or compensation. service contract without establishing a sepa- the poor and we’ll give you some flexibility a country increasingly self-consciousness rate nonprofit organization. The issue per- in how you conduct our programs.” Faith of its religious pluralism? The idea was nevertheless seized upon by tains to liability more than to constitutional groups should be leery of governmental pro- the early supporters of a George Bush law. Ecclesiastical units need a legal firewall motion of religious capacities. It cheapens Bush’s faith-based and community agenda, presidential bid, field tested and expanded in between themselves and general service oper- the voluntary nature of faith; it puts on reli- called “Rallying the Armies of Texas, and brought into the new ations. No separate incorporation may be gion’s shoulders government’s task of provid- Compassion,” includes not only greater Administration as a policy priority. In needed when a congregation gets public sup- ing for the welfare of all persons. religious access to government money — January, the President created the White port for food pantries or organizes mentor- in part by removing real or imagined House Office of Faith-based and ing programs for welfare recipients, but more Religious organizations do not have to jus- “barriers,” — but also sundry other provi- Community Initiatives by executive order. complex services are another matter. Suits tify their existence by offering social servic- sions to increase the economic prospects It has a staff of ten to rally the armies of based on staff misbehavior, fiscal mismanage- es with either private or public money. If of the poor and to bolster faith-based and compassion, and mandated centers in the ment, or bodily injury incurred in running a they elect to engage in such work, religious community organizations engaged in Departments of Education, Heath and public program under its own name could groups should innovate and seek broad charitable work. Implicit in the initiative Human Services, Housing and Urban destroy a congregation. options not confined to the governmental is the belief that “religion does it better.” Development, Justice, and Labor to identify menu of programs. If they want to keep programs available to faith-based providers. Religious groups not currently engaged in their souls, religious groups may not want The Community Solutions Act of 2001 social and community work have been to hire out to the state. (H.R.7) includes religious access, modestly alerted to available public funding. expanded tax incentives for charitable Legal Arguments deductions, and — perhaps most signifi- Charitable choice rests on a constitutional cant and most neglected by the press — an argument from fairness, put forth most expanded plan to help the poor mass small cogently by Carl Esbeck, a former law pro- pools of capital for stipulated purposes fessor at the University of Missouri and now through Individual Development Accounts. a Justice Department spokesman for the H.R.7 was passed by the House of Bush faith-based initiatives. Esbeck argues Representatives in a vote along party lines. that religious organizations have a right to It faces an uncertain future in the Senate. take part in general public programs without secularizing their structures and perspectives. Charitable Choice Charitable choice, on this view, “levels the playing field” — a phrase President Bush rel- The reservations of the slim Democratic ishes — and protects the integrity of religious Senate majority and of church-state separa- organizations wishing to avail themselves of tionists focus on the principle and means of public programs. The hiring exemption is an expanding religious access to public money. extension of the guarantee that government Their main target is the strangely named will not define religion’s character. The last concept of “charitable choice.” version of H.R. 7 contains language that appears to assure faith-based exemption from Charitable choice prohibits states that use state and local laws barring religious discrimi- private contractors to deliver welfare-to- nation in hiring. work services from discrimination against religious providers. Further, religious Esbeck’s argument is not without merit, but organizations winning contracts are within the social service context allowed to retain their religious characters. charitable choice fails to balance religion’s They are not required, for example, to set right to independence against the individual’s up separate nonprofit corporations to handle right to even-handed hiring policies in gov- the contracts, nor to remove religious ernment-funded programs. Critics are correct symbols from service areas. They cannot to challenge charitable choice found in H.R. discriminate in services on the basis of 7 as a regressive civil rights policy. There is religious affiliation but may hire only their high emotion but limited substance to the own religious kind. Religious providers claim that the provision would allow reli- can not use federal funds for worship, gious groups to use government money for religious instruction, or proselytization, religious activities, even evangelization. and no person is required to receive services from a religious contractor. “Choice”, The Community Solutions Act strengthens therefore comes in selecting services provided the prohibition against the use of primarily by voucher. “Charitable” government funds for worship, religious evidently describes the drafters’ views of instruction and proselytization. It further job training as a benevolent transition requires recipients of public funds to certify from welfare poverty to working poverty. in writing that they understand and will abide by the limitations. This stipulation The Bush forces want to write charitable represents a substantial concession by the choice into most federal social legislation. sponsors of charitable choice. Critics object most strongly to the provi- sion that recipients of government grants or contracts may employ only their own Vast Religious religious kind, thereby escaping civil rights prohibitions against religious discrimina- Services tion in hiring. While the Civil Rights Act of Many press reports continue to give the Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 21 Religious Studies News, AAR Edition

Eastern International After proposals are accepted for Midwest AAR has also created the meeting programme, gradu- an undergraduate section to Annual meeting, 26-27 April ate students who wish to com- encourage undergraduates to 2002 pete for the prize must submit a participate and present papers Call For Papers written copy of their paper, not at scholarly conferences. The to exceed 2500 words, by 15 best undergraduate paper will Between Text and Context: March 2002. The word count is receive an award. The Search for Religious to include text only, not notes Identity Section chairs are requested to or other critical apparati. An submit proposed panels to the The Saint Paul University accurate word count of the text Program Chair, Selva J. Raj Faculty of Theology, Ottawa, must be included as part of the ([email protected]) by January will host the 2002 meeting of submission; papers that are over 15, 2002. the Eastern International Region the limit will not be accepted of the American Academy of for the competition. The Section Chairs Religion, 26-27 April. We invite address for submissions will be Arts, Literature, and Religion paper and panel proposals in indicated later. Steven Schroeder, Liberal any discipline in the study of In order to be eligible for the Studies, religion. Submissions from both competition, submitters must be 430 S. Michigan Avenue scholars and graduate students graduate students who reside or Roosevelt University will be considered. work in the Eastern Chicago, IL 60605; Theme: The 2002 AAR-EIR International Region of the E-MAIL: sh-schroeder-7@alum- meeting will focus on the role of AAR or are enrolled in a gradu- ni.uchicago.edu sacred texts or oral traditions in ate programme of the Region. Asian Religions in America the formation of communal and The Eastern International Paul D. Numrich, Research individual religious identity. Region includes New York state Associate, This role is important for the north of Westchester County, The Park Ridge Center for the communities that created the the western half of Pennsylvania, Study of Health, Faith, and texts and for the communities and the provinces of Ontario Ethics that continue to read them. In and Quebec. Any questions 211 E. Ontario, Suite 800 view of contemporary concern about this requirement should Chicago, IL 60611-3215; over religious identity, how do be directed to the Regional TEL: 312-266-2222, EXT. 222; these texts and traditions con- Secretary, William Cassidy, FAX: 312-266-6086; tinue to fulfil this role? Division of Human Studies, E-MAIL: [email protected] Submissions should be one Alfred University, Saxon Drive, History of Christianity page and include a 250-word Alfred, NY, 14802-1205; TEL: Jaclyn Maxwell, Comparative abstract, the name, address, 607-871-2704; FAX: 607-871- Religion, telephone number, e-mail 3366; E-MAIL: Western Michigan University address and institutional affili- [email protected]. Kalamazoo, MI 49008 ation of the person(s) E-MAIL: involved. Please include any Midwest [email protected] requests for special equipment and props required for the CALL FOR PAPERS History of Religions paper/panel. The maximum Theme: Religion and the Selva J. Raj, reading time for papers is 25 Media Department of Religious Studies, minutes. ANNUAL MEETING, The deadline for submissions is Albion College APRIL 6-7, 2002 Albion, Michigan 49224; 15 January 2002. DePaul Center, DePaul TEL: 517-629-0400; University Send proposals to: E-MAIL: [email protected] Andrea Spatafora One East Jackson Boulevard Chicago, Illinois Latino/a Religion AAR-EIR 2002 Meeting Arlene Sanchez Walsh, St. Paul University The theme Religion and the Religious Studies, 223 Main Street Media is intended to solicit DePaul University Ottawa, ON K1S 1C4 papers exploring the role of 2320 N. Kenmore Ave. Canada media both as religious resource Chicago, IL 60614; E-MAIL: and religious critique, as well as E-MAIL: [email protected] [email protected] the deeper connections between New Religious Movements Annual meeting, 26-27 avril religion and the media. Dr. Nikki Bado-Fralick, 2002 Martin Marty will be the keynote speaker at this confer- Dept. of Philosophy and AAR-EIR ence. Papers and panels on other Religious Studies Student Prize Award related topics are also invited Iowa State University Catt Hall Each year the Eastern and encouraged. The title of Ames, Iowa 50011; International Region awards each proposed paper and a syn- TEL: 515-294-2495; prizes to up to three outstanding opsis of not more than 250 E-MAIL: [email protected] papers delivered by graduate words should be sent to the students at the regional meeting. appropriate Section Chair (listed Philosophy of Religion Papers must have a clear loca- below). Submissions should be John Grimes, tion in an area or areas of reli- made as early as possible, but Religious Studies Department, gious studies and/or theology before December 15, 2001. 116 Morrill Hall and be written for oral presenta- Younger scholars and graduate Michigan State University tion. They should be addressed students are especially encour- East Lansing, MI 48824; to a general audience of scholars aged to participate and submit TEL: 517-353-0830; of religion rather than to special- proposals for papers. E-MAIL: [email protected] ists in a particular field or sub- In order to encourage greater Religion and American field of study. The material participation by graduate stu- Culture should be reflective and/or criti- dents, the Midwest AAR will Amy DeRogatis, cal rather than simply descrip- give a special award for the Religious Studies Department, tive, though no particular schol- best graduate student paper. To 116 Morrill Hall arly approach is specified. The be eligible for this award in Michigan State University selection committee for the 2002, graduate students must East Lansing, MI 48824; prize is made up of the officers be members of the Midwest E-MAIL: [email protected] and programme committee of Region of the AAR and be on the region, save those members the program to present their Religion, Ecology and of the selection committee who paper at the annual meeting in Culture submit papers for the competi- April, 2002. Graduate students Sarah McFarland Taylor, tion. To be eligible for the who wish to be considered for Northwestern University award, papers must be accepted this award should submit the 1940 Sheridan Road as part of the meeting pro- full text of their paper to the Evanston, IL 60208; gramme and actually be present- Program Chair no later than E-MAIL: ed at the meeting. February 1, 2002. [email protected]

Guide for Reviewing Programs in Religion and Theology Published by the Academic Relations Task Force

Step-by-step advice on reviews and evaluations Available as a downloadable document from http://www.aarweb.org

The Guide is the first in a number of planned resources from the Academic Relations Program that help to make the case that every student deserves an education that includes the study of religion.

22 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN NEWS

Religion and Sacred Texts life, including multi-reli- anonymously. Completed Unless otherwise indicated, gion. Please submit proposals responsibility, etc.). Submit David Blix, Department of gious/pluralistic communities papers should be no longer papers must be of such a for joint sessions to the chairs proposals to Michelle Tooley, Religion, and ecological issues; faith- than 12-15 pages double- length as can be presented and of both areas. Please paste e- Belmont University, School Wabash College based community initiatives; spaced (for a 20 minute pres- discussed within 45 minutes. mail submissions into the of Religion, 1900 Belmont Crawfordsville, Indiana and ecology as public space. entation). Please submit the Audio-visual equipment body of the email text. Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212; 47933 Additional interpretations of paper as an email attachment needs must be noted in the Chair: Jennifer Geddes, P.O. TEL: 615-460-5549; TEL: 317-361-6075 the theme are also welcome. in MS Word format to proposal. Because of the very Box 400816, IASC, E-MAIL: [email protected] E-MAIL: [email protected] There will be one undergrad- [email protected]. Also, if high cost of renting digital University of Virginia, mont.edu. Co-chair: Rebecca Religion and Science uate panel. We particularly you require any technology video projection equipment, Charlottesville, VA 22904- Todd Peters, Elon College. Richard Busse, welcome proposals that (internet, projection equip- presenters who wish to use 4816; E-MAIL: jlg2u@vir- (AAR) Religion in America Seven Napoleon Street examine the topic in an inter- ment, overhead projectors, such equipment must provide ginia.edu. (2 sessions) etc.) to support your presenta- it themselves. Copying hand- Valparaiso, IN 46383; disciplinary (AAR) History of Christianity Themes: Open call with special TEL: 219-531-1723; context, including submis- tion, you MUST request it outs is also the responsibility of (2 sessions) with your proposal or it will the presenter. All program interest in the role of the Bible FAX: 219-464-0941; sions from colleagues in other Themes: (1) Early in American religion and the e-mail: [email protected] academic disciplines or those not be provided. participants must be pre-reg- istered for the meeting. Christianity; (2) Open to all public role of religion in Religion and Social Science working outside of the acade- The Program Committee is periods. Submissions in mys- American life and law. Chair: Tracy Memoree Thibodeau, my. Proposals are also pleased to invite undergraduate Suggestions for new program ticism and spirituality espe- Kathleen Flake, Vanderbilt McNamara Center for the welcome that do not relate papers for a "Theta Alpha units or special speakers should cially encouraged. Chair: D. Divinity School, Nashville, TN Social Study of Religion, directly to the theme. Kappa Undergraduate Panel" be sent to SECSOR’s Executive Jonathan Grieser, Furman 37240-2701; E-MAIL: Loyola University Chicago One-page abstracts, double on one of the topics listed Director or to the Vice University, Greenville, SC [email protected]. 6525 N. Sheridan Rd. spaced — including name and above or on a topic of interest President/Program Chair of the 29613-0001; E-MAIL: to the students. There will also respective society (see list of (AAR) Women and Religion Chicago, IL 60626; institutional affiliation if appli- [email protected]. (3 or 4 sessions) TEL: 773-508-3488; cable — should be sent to Dr. be an award (the "Theta Alpha regional officers below). Kappa Undergraduate Essay (AAR/SBL) History of Judaism Themes: (1) Issues at the FAX: 773-508-8854; Linda Barnes, President (AAR) Academic Study of (2 sessions) E-MAIL: [email protected] NEMAAR, at: Prize" — http://www.thetaal- Religion and Pedagogy (1 intersection of race, class and phakappa.org/) for the best workshop) Themes: (1) Second Temple Gender; (2) Women’s leader- Theology & Ethics 534 Franklin Street paper in the panel. Please Judaism; (2) Open topics. ship roles in organized reli- Gary Dorrien, Cambridge, MA 02139; encourage your students to This section is planning a Chair: Linda Bennett Elder, gions (especially in non-west- Department of Religion FAX: (617) 547-2277; submit proposals. workshop on teaching reli- Department of Philosophy, ern religions and/or new reli- Kalamazoo College E-MAIL: [email protected] (no gious studies in the Southeast Valdosta State University, gious movements); (3) 1200 Academy Street attachments) The Program Committee will and will not be holding other meet during the Annual Valdosta, GA 31698-0050; E- Lesbian feminist ethics; (4) Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007; Abstracts must be received no sessions. Chair: Corrie MAIL: [email protected]. Women’s spirituality-based TEL: 616-337-7362; Meeting in Denver, CO. on Norman, Department of later than Wednesday, Saturday, November 17 from (AAR) History of Religions communities and social E-MAIL: [email protected] December 5, 2001, to be con- Religion, Converse College, activism; (5) Films by female 9-11 pm in the Director's Row Spartanburg, SC 29302- (2 sessions) Theory and Method sidered for the program. All J room in the Adam's Mark directors; (6) Women and the 0006; E-MAIL: Themes: Open call, but espe- Brian Wilson, those selected to present at the Hotel to determine the final social sciences; (7) Open call, [email protected]. cially welcome proposals on Department of Comparative meeting must pre-register in program. All regular members including interest in research reconciliation in comparative Religion, order to be included on the of the Rocky Mountain-Great (AAR) African American on what is happening with perspective; food, dress, and Western Michigan University program. Plains Region who are willing Religion (2 sessions) women and feminism in religious identity; mass/ popu- Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008; to serve on the Program institutions of higher educa- A $250 award is given for the Theme: Open call for papers lar media and religion; Islam TEL: 616-387-4361; Committee and review propos- tion and/or in churches. best student paper presented at on or involving the African and comparative studies. FAX: 616-387-4914; als are asked to notify John Chair: Lorine M. Getz, E- the conference. Students wish- American religious experi- Panels on a theme or book are E-MAIL: [email protected] O’Keefe, the Vice-President MAIL: [email protected]. ing to have their papers con- ence. Chair: Sandy Dwayne also welcome. Chair: Brian K. and Program Chair, by Women and Religion sidered for this award must Martin, Department of Pennington, Maryville Student Awards October 1, 2001. It is hoped Carol Anderson, Department forward a copy of the full Religion, Peabody Hall, College, Maryville, TN that at least one faculty person (AAR) Stephanie Cobb of of Religion, paper to Dr. Barnes by January University of Georgia, 37804-5907; E-MAIL: pen- from each of the participating the University of North Kalamazoo College 31, 2002. Athens, GA 30602; TEL: 706- [email protected]. 1200 Academy Street schools in the region will serve 542-5356; FAX: 706-542- Carolina, Chapel Hill won Kalamazoo, MI 49006-3295; on the Program Committee. 6742; E-MAIL: martin@arch- (AAR) Philosophy of Religion the Student Award for 2001. Rocky Mountains – and Theology A cash prize of $250 will TEL: 616-337-7114; Please send all proposals and es.uga.edu. Great Plains (4 sessions) again be awarded to the stu- E-MAIL: [email protected] inquiries to: (AAR/SBL) American Regional Meeting: Themes: (1) Religion and dent member of the Academy Undergraduate Section Dr. John J. O’Keefe Biblical Hermeneutics (1 April 19-20, 2002 Science; (2) Liberation and who submits the best paper Johannes Strobel, Regional Meeting open session; 1 invited panel Sheraton Omaha Hotel, Political Theology; (3) Open accepted for presentation at c/o International Center, Department of Theology discussion) Omaha, Nebraska call; (4) Symposium on the 2002 Regional Meeting. University of Missouri- Creighton University Themes: (1) Open call: The Frederick Ferré (invited papers Proposals for papers to be Columbia, CALL FOR PAPERS Omaha, NE 68178 End of the World: Biblical only). Chair: George W. entered in the competition N52 Memorial Union Tel: (402) 280-4799 Fax The Regional Program Images and Millennial Shields, Division of LLP, must be submitted to the Columbia, Missouri 65211; (402) 280-2502 Committee cordially invites Movements; (2) Invited panel Kentucky State University, appropriate section chair by FAX: 573/882-3223; E-MAIL: [email protected] discussion: The Bible and its the call deadline, October 1, E-MAIL: [email protected] you to submit proposals for Frankfort, KY 40601; E-MAIL: papers and panels for the 2002 Postmodern Readers. Chair: [email protected]. 2001. Notification of accept- Regional Meeting. The dead- Brian Britt, Religious Studies ance will be mailed by New England/ Southeastern (AAR) Religion, Ethics, and line for submissions is Friday, Commission for the Program, Virginia Tech, November 1, 2001. Papers Maritimes Region of Blacksburg, VA 24061-0135; Society (2 sessions) accepted for presentation, the AAR/SBL/CBA October 19, 2001. Each pro- Study of Religion posal should consist of a one- E-MAIL: [email protected]. Themes: (1) Environmental and thus for the competition, 2002 Regional Meeting The 2002 Annual Meeting of page abstract describing the ethics. Papers by invitation must be submitted in final March 8-10, 2002 (AAR) Arts, Literature and the New England/Maritimes nature of the paper or panel. only; (2) Wages and Work form (maximum 12 d.s. Atlanta Marriott Century Religion (4 sessions) sections of the American Proposals are welcome in all (meaningful work, day labor, pages) by January 15, 2002. Center Themes: Open call on any Academy of Religion, the areas of Religious and migrant labor, gender or race Atlanta, GA relevant topic, including arts Society of Biblical Literature, Biblical Studies. The Program and wages, welfare-to-work and religion, film and reli- and the Catholic Biblical Committee also is interested in The 2002 Regional Meeting programs, minimum wage gion, and literature and reli- Association will be held in panel proposal and thematic will be held at the Atlanta and living wage, corporate April (date and location to be session in the following areas: Marriott Century Center in announced). Atlanta, GA. The hotel rate is • Television and Religion $89 per night. Beverly • Environmental Theology AAR CALL FOR PAPERS Gaventa, Princeton • Law and Religion Theological Seminary, will be This year’s theme is • Native American Religion Find Religion @ ______the plenary speaker. Ecology: The State of Nature • Book review sessions and The State of Humans. It Registration information will An online Finding list of departments and programs of religion at accredited encompasses the following Only those proposals received be available on the SECSOR colleges and universities in North America suggested areas: by the deadline will be con- web site sidered for inclusion in the http://www.utc.edu/~secsor (1) Sacred Texts, Oral program. Presentations are after January 1, 2002 Users can search for institutions that have a department or program in which Traditions, and/or visual limited to twenty minutes. the study of religion is a central focus by: and/or kinesthetic religious Proposals should be submit- CALL FOR PAPERS sources relating to creation; ted by e-mail in Microsoft ritual life and Nature; sacred The following sections and Name of school Word format. Send propos- program units invite members law and Nature; myths and als to [email protected]. Nature; who wish to present a paper or Name of chair Graduate students are encour- coordinate a session to submit (2) Ancient Technologies, aged to submit proposals. proposals (1-2 pages) or com- City Social Development and There will be awards for the pleted manuscripts to the Ecology; best AAR and SBL student appropriate section chairs by State (3) Traditional Religions and papers. The awards, which are the call deadline, October 1, “New Age” Religions; presented during the lunch- 2001. Each member is limited Degree offered to one proposal. If a proposal (4) Reproductive technologies eon/business meeting on is submitted to several pro- and genetics; Saturday, carry a stipend of Type of institution: $100 each. To be considered gram units, section chairs (5) Religions, Community and for this award, students should must be informed. Proposals • Public • Jewish Ecology, including the intersec- submit a copy of the complet- for joint sessions should be sent tions between religion and ecol- ed paper, along with an to the chairs of all the sections • Private, non-sectarian • Protestant ogy in common life; vocation, abstract, by October 19, 2001 involved. All proposals and craft and work; the (papers not chosen for an papers must include the mem- • Catholic • Other religion ecological meanings of commu- award will be considered for ber’s present membership status nities; the program). A student’s (including membership ID (6) Ecology, Justice, and the name should appear only on number), institutional affilia- Now available at: www.aarweb.org/department Local-Global Connections in the cover page of the paper; tion, current address, and tele- community and common student papers will be judged phone number.

Fall 2001 AAR RSN • 23 24 • Fall 2001 AAR RSN