The authors discuss results from two co-taught courses in Islamic studies shared as a virtual exchange between the University of Michigan (U-M), USA, and Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU), Russia. These courses were shared with the intent of expanding the range of perspectives to which the students were exposed and to provide an opportunity…

This research assessed "Ex Corde Ecclesiae" within American Catholic higher education from the perspective of presidents and academicians who oversee or teach within theology or religious studies. Pope John Paul II's "Ex Corde Ecclesiae" outlines the theological essence of the Catholic University and details its specific…

Developmental immigrant students are a growing phenomenon in the United States, a growing population in higher education, and a growing presence in undergraduate classes, and like their mainstream developmental counterparts, many are academically underprepared for the rigors of college (Goldschmidt & Ousey, 2011), sometimes prolonging, or even…

This essay explores intersections among Jesuit, Quaker, and feminist theologies and pedagogies of social justice education in order to propose and elaborate an innovative theoretical and theological framework for experiential learning in religious studies that prioritizes relationality, called erotic education. This essay then applies the…

This study examines the treatment of the three most practiced monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, within the pages of High School World History Textbooks. The results find that within World History textbooks Christianity and Islam receive more coverage than Judaism in narrative content, word usage, illustrations, and…

"Meditation and the Classroom" inventively articulates how educators can use meditation to educate the whole student. Notably, a number of universities have initiated contemplative studies options and others have opened contemplative spaces. This represents an attempt to address the inner life. It is also a sign of a new era, one in…

"Cultural literacy" has been hotly debated ever since E.D. Hirsch Jr.'s best seller of that name injected the desideratum into the culture wars in 1987. Today religious illiteracy is at least as pervasive as cultural illiteracy, and certainly more dangerous. Religious illiteracy is more dangerous because religion is the most volatile…

This article contends that teaching more effectively for diversity requires a radical re-envisioning of pedagogical practice. Drawing on qualitative interviews with religion and theology professors of color throughout the United States, it explores how faculty can re-imagine their teaching by engaging students where they are, acknowledging the…

Two studies were conducted to examine the relations between Marcia's four identity statuses and Allport and Ross's four religious orientations. Revealed that, in both studies, identity diffusion was associated with the extrinsic religious orientation. Potential moderating influences of religious orthodoxy, religious attendance, grade, and gender…

After September 11, 2001, complaints were voiced around the world, including by the U.S. government, that Saudi Arabian schools demonize the West and the "other." Senior Saudi government spokesmen also acknowledged this as a problem, and have repeatedly pledged that reform is underway or completed. This report was written in response to…

As we think about current religious diversity and conflict in U.S. schools, it is important to note that religious conflict is not a new phenomenon in the history of U.S. schooling. This article briefly outlines the current and historical connections among religion, ethnicity, and K-12 education in the U.S. in order to note its persistence as well…

The purposes of this article are to: Give a historical perspective on religious diversity in the United States; Develop a rationale for teachers and children to learn about religious pluralism; Provide basic information, resources for teachers, and appropriate children's literature about major religious groups; Explore developmentally appropriate…

Assessing Teachers' of Religion in U.S. Post Secondary Education is a review of religion's various meanings, how it is taught, where it is taught and how it is evaluated on the post secondary campuses of the United States. Kollar reports the results of a National Survey of chairs and directors of all the schools, departments, and programs of…

This qualitative study compared and contrasted the perceptions of roles, support, and mission of campus ministers at a large public and a small private institution in the southeastern United States. Semi-structured interviews of campus ministers, representing a variety of faith traditions, were conducted and analyzed.

Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish parochial schools have always had religious studies as part of their curriculum, but there has been the question about whether public schools can also. "In 1962 two U.S. Supreme Court cases (Abington School District vs. Schempp and Engle vs. Vitale) prohibited the practice of Bible reading in public schools.…