Religion and Public Schools: International Perspectives Unit

The “Religion and Public Schools: International Perspectives” (RPS) Unit focuses on the global relationship between religion and education (RE) across diverse historical, geographical, cultural, political, and pedagogical settings.

For the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion (AAR), we are seeking papers that deeply examine the intricate intersection of religion, education, and violence worldwide within the framework of the 2024 AAR Presidential theme “Violence, Nonviolence, and the Margin.”

Scholars, researchers, and practitioners are encouraged to submit papers that explore the multifaceted dimensions of these themes, investigating their implications, challenges, and transformative educational potentials at both local and global levels. We specifically welcome papers addressing various educational contexts and methodologies and encourage multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary perspectives.

Themes to explore could be:

Exploring Controversial Themes and Antiviolence Pedagogies in RE

This track dives into the complex relationship between religion, violence, and pedagogical strategies within RE. It seeks to navigate sensitive topics while advocating for anti violence pedagogies within global educational frameworks.

Examples of Key Focus Areas are:

• Teaching Controversial Topics: Religion and Violence in RE. Develop innovative teaching strategies addressing the interplay between religion and violence, emphasizing critical thinking and respectful dialogue.
• Global Perspectives on Teaching Religion and Antiviolence Pedagogies in RE. Analyze diverse global approaches to teaching religion, emphasizing language, human rights, and decolonization theories in shaping antiviolence pedagogies within religious education contexts.

Navigating Free Speech, Religious Discourse, and Hate Speech in RE

This segment critically analyzes the intricate interplay between free speech, religious discourse, hate speech, and their impact on characterizing violence against religious groups within RE.

Examples of Key Focus Areas are:

• Characterization of Violence Against Christians. Explore narratives shaping violence against Christians in diverse religious, cultural, and societal contexts, examining their implications in educational settings.
• Discourses on Religion, Antisemitism, and Islamophobia. Investigate intersections of religious discourse with narratives on antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate speech. Analyze their impact on fostering or challenging violence against Jewish and Muslim communities.
• Free Speech and Its Limits. Delve into the complex dynamics between free speech, hate speech, and religious discourses in RE. Explore how boundaries intersect with discussions on violence against religious groups and their freedoms.

Understanding Violence and Symbolism in Religious Education

This segment delves into the multifaceted aspects of violence, both overt and symbolic, and their impacts within educational frameworks, specifically in the context of RE.

Examples of Key Focus Areas are:

• Manifestations and Intersections of Violence in RE. Explore the varied forms of violence, from physical acts to symbolic gestures, within educational settings. Analyze how this violence intersects with the teaching of religion and its impact on pedagogical approaches in different school systems.
• Violence, Marginality, and Theorization of Religion in RE. Discuss how violence within educational systems impacts the perception, teaching, and theorization of religion, potentially leading to marginalization. Explore its influence on the conceptualization of religious concepts and practices within RE.

We also welcome proposals beyond these themes, particularly pre-arranged sessions spotlighting global perspectives on RE. We value sessions that embrace diversity across genders, racial/ethnic backgrounds, and a spectrum of fields, methodologies, and scholarly levels.