Taking Religion(s) Seriously: What Students Need to Know

Date:		Friday, October 31, 2008, 9:00 AM-3:30 PM
Where:		Chicago, IL

This workshop was developed by the Academic Relations Committee.

The workshop goal was that all students learn to think seriously about the ways religion(s) impacts public life and their role as citizens. This may be a common goal of religion courses offered at all sorts of institutions; however, this objective is not always articulated and may be submerged in more specialized concerns. In this workshop, we explored what this goal entailed and then invited chairs to consider how the curriculum they oversee addresses (or could address) it, how the mission and culture of their institution shapes this objective, and how it might contribute to assessment of their program’s effectiveness. Exchange of experience and ideas were central to the day’s work.

Leader:

Krista Tippett, the host of Minnesota Public Radio’s popular Speaking of Faith program

Speakers and Panelists:

Chester Gillis, Georgetown University

Preliminary Agenda:

Legal issues, conflicts, and life cycles were addressed for individual, department, and administration concerns.

9:00 AM-9:15 AM		Welcome

9:15 AM-9:45 AM		Educating Students for Public Life

9:45 AM-10:15 AM		Break-out Session

10:15 AM-11:00 AM		Panel Discussion: How does this interact with the mission and culture of your institution?

11:00 AM-12:00 N		Break-out Session

12:00 N-1:15 PM		Lunch

1:15 PM-2:00 PM		Assessment of Your Institution: Addressing the question — How should this be assessed and how do you assess it?

2:00 PM-3:30 PM		Plenary Session on Objectives and Assessments

This workshop was designed for chairs, faculty being developed to assume leadership responsibilities, and deans.

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