Teaching Religion Unit

The Teaching Religion Unit critically examines pedagogical theory and practice. We particularly value proposals that combine scholarship of teaching and learning *and* innovative teaching practices. For 2024, paper and panel proposals that address the following themes are especially welcome:

Teaching Tactics/Teaching Gift Exchange

The Teaching Religion Unit regularly hosts an annual session on “Teaching Tactics,” which features lightning-round presentations (5-7 minutes total) of a specific teaching technique, assignment, etc., followed by discussion. This year we are particularly interested in presentations that not only describe a teaching tactic, but may: demonstrate an actual lesson; model engaged, interactive, and experiential pedagogy; and/or are accompanied by a printed or digital resource for audience members.

Teaching Nonviolence (co-sponsored by Teaching Religion Unit and Transformative Scholarship and Pedagogy Unit)

In line with the Presidential theme of “Violence, Nonviolence, and the Margin,” the Transformative Scholarship and Pedagogy Unit and Teaching Unit and the Teaching Religion Unit are seeking proposals for a possible co-sponsored session addressing the question: “what does nonviolent teaching look like?” We invite critical engagement around teaching non-violence as well as pedagogy that models nonviolence, especially in relation to the margin.

Graphic Novels, Zines, and More in the Teaching of Religion

Many instructors teaching courses on religion are beginning to incorporate graphic novels, zines, comics, and other new or non-traditional materials into their classes. We invite paper proposals that reflect on the teaching of religion using such materials and/or the creation of these materials by instructors or students. How can such materials be used effectively in the classroom? And, how can we understand the use of such materials in relation to scholarship of teaching and learning?

Teaching Religion Abroad

This pre-arranged roundtable will focus on best practices, innovative ideas, and resources available to AAR/SBL members interested in taking students on short-or long-term faculty-led study abroad programs. Participants will spend five minutes speaking to a specific component of their teaching abroad experiences (planning an itinerary, pros and cons of working with a provider company, tying learning objectives to site visits, successful assignments, challenges of pilgrimage vs. secular travel, fundraising, etc.) before breaking into small groups for discussion and consultation.

Teaching in the Study of Religion and Beyond

In this pre-arranged panel discussion, the Teaching Religion Unit will engage contributors to the new volume Teaching in the Study of Religion and Beyond (Bloomsbury, 2024). This panel is specifically targeted to new teachers and reflects the experiences of professors teaching undergraduates primarily, but they also address many practical topics that emerge across the teaching career and in various contexts. More specifically, the panelists and book reflect a range of topics from digital humanities and critical thinking to more administrative tasks that affect teaching such as attendance, accommodations, and teaching in the general curriculum.

Open Call

We invite proposals for individual papers and panel sessions that join innovative teaching practice with the scholarship of teaching and learning. Of particular interest this year are papers that might include teaching with/about AI (artificial intelligence), affect in teaching religion, new approaches to assessment, and strategies for addressing surging class sizes in general education courses. Preference will be given to presentation formats that model engaged, interactive, and experiential pedagogy.