In this article, I examine the secular dynamics of Quebec's controversial and ultimately short-lived "Ethics and Religious Culture" curriculum (ERC). I argue that the conflicting criticisms the ERC attracted over the course of its brief existence emerged from the tensions inherent in its conceptualisations of religion, learning, and…

Research methods based on modelling and simulation (M&S) are gaining popularity among social scientists to study societal dynamics. Emphasising the importance of this research approach, the Department of Religion, Philosophy and History at the University of Agder initiated a methodology module to help students on the religious studies…

All Catholic colleges and universities share in the Catholic Church's rich history of Catholic Social Teaching (CST). This article explores two key research questions that focus on that grounding in today's world: First, how strongly is CST woven into the institutional fabric of those institutions; second, is that done implicitly or explicitly? We…

There has been very limited research on the possible role religion has in its influence on teacher choices, especially within a Social Science classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine how secondary Social Studies teachers explicitly and implicitly treat religion as a factor in the teaching of history and how their own affinity with/to a…

If world religions courses are created at all in public school districts, they often are designed to encourage cultural fluency and tolerance. It is a teachable moment for the teacher to witness in an hour these far-flung students moving beyond tolerance to collaboration. Taking on a world religions program typically is viewed as a risky…

This dissertation examines the development of religion curricula at four state universities in Michigan: Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. It analyzes the historical development of these curricula, illustrating that each institution has a unique religion curriculum…

In this article, the author provides an executive summary of the Toledo guiding principles on teaching about religions and beliefs in public schools in Spain. The Toledo Guiding Principles have been prepared in order to contribute to an improved understanding of the world's increasing religious diversity and the growing presence of religion in the…

This article aims to enlarge the conversation about religion and public education by inviting readers to think about the benefits to be gained in society by providing a comprehensive religious studies curriculum in our public schools. In such a program, students will develop knowledge and understanding about various religious traditions, forge…

Describes efforts to include the teaching about religion in state and national education standards, shortcomings in teaching about religion in schools, how schools should teach about religion, and teacher training issues. (PKP)

This project examines the religious implications of an approach to "limmudei kodesh" (primarily the study of Talmud) and "halakhah" (an integration of academic scholarship with traditional Torah study and the evaluation of the educational pros and cons of a curriculum built on such a synthesis). In the concerted effort over the…

Examines religious studies inclusion in community college curriculum and discusses programmatic and financial constraints to incorporating religious studies into the community college curriculum. Also presents examples of community colleges that have incorporated religious studies into the curriculum with varying degrees of success. (SM)

Thanks to certain "common ground" statements, the study of religion may gain a legitimate place in the curriculum and help stem an exodus from public schools. Textbooks have obliterated economics' religious connections. Ignoring religious perspectives about the world is profoundly illiberal, politically unjust, and unconstitutional.…

The mere mention of the terms religion and public education in the same sentence has both educators and parents gasping aloud. Moreover, although most state adopted sixth-grade textbooks contain a fair amount of content on the world's religions, but it is also true that many social studies teachers choose to omit that content. Black (2003, 4)…

Views the growing movement of education reform as an opportunity for religious educators to join with public educators in introducing values education and teaching about religion into the public school curriculum. Highlights examples of values education in effect around the country and several studies of outcomes. (BCY)

Argues that U.S. public schools urgently need lessons dealing with religious liberty. Describes a new curriculum that was developed around the theme. Outlines the project's goals. Defines the curriculum's five major themes or "big ideas": (1) coming to America; (2) the Constitution; (3) U.S. pluralism; (4) for better, for worse; and (5)…