Vocation, Teaching and Religious Studies: An AAR/SBL Pre-Meeting
November 21-22, 2019 · American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting · San Diego, CA
This gathering provided an opportunity for teachers and scholars in the field of religious studies to discuss the intersections of that field with programs for vocational reflection and discernment. Although the language of vocation, calling, and purpose is increasingly present in undergraduate education, its significance has remained relatively under-theorized in academic circles, including in religious studies generally. In addition, the broadening of the conversation about interfaith and interreligious studies is having an effect on the work being done on vocation (and vice versa). This gathering addressed questions such as these:
- Should the concepts of vocation and calling play a role in the religious studies classroom?
- Can the concept of vocation, with its historically Christian roots, function in the increasingly multi-faith context of higher education?
- What pedagogical assumptions undergird attention to vocation and calling in the teaching of religious studies?
- What teaching strategies have been used—successfully or otherwise—to incorporate vocation into undergraduate coursework in religion?
This gathering was of interest to those who teach undergraduate courses in religious studies, theology, and related fields, including those that focus on interreligious and interfaith studies.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, November 21, 2019 (Hilton Bayfront, Cobalt 500)
1:00 p.m.
Introduction
David S. Cunningham, Director of NetVUE
1:30 p.m.
Opening Panel: Should Vocation Play a Role in the Classroom?
John D. Barton, Pepperdine University
Matthew R. Sayers, Lebanon Valley College
C. Hannah Schell, Council of Independent Colleges
3:30 p.m.
The Relationship of Vocation to Interfaith and Interreligious Studies
Jacqueline A. Bussie, Concordia College (MN)
Younus Y. Mirza, Shenandoah University
Noah Silverman, Interfaith Youth Core
5:00 p.m.
Reception
6:30 p.m.
Dinner at a local restaurant
Friday, November 22, 2019 (Marriott Marquis, Solana – South Tower, First Level)
9:00 a.m.
Vocation, Interfaith, and Religious Studies in the Classroom: Trial and Error
Anita M. Houck, St. Mary’s College (IN)
Katherine (Trina) Janiec Jones, Wofford College
Matthew Maruggi, Augsburg University
Martha (Marty) Stortz, Augsburg University
11:00 a.m.
Does Vocation Matter if the World Is Coming To An End?
Rachel S. Mikva, Chicago Theological Seminary
Meals, Accommodation, and Transportation
Registered participants were invited to the Thursday reception (complimentary snacks and hors d’oeuvres; cash bar); dinner was at a local restaurant (the cost of dinner is included).
Because this preceded the AAR/SBL meeting, lodging needs varied. Members of the American Academy of Religion who were registered for the Annual Meeting could obtain discounted lodging through the AAR. Details concerning area hotels, as well as airport transfer and parking information, is available on the AAR website.
NetVUE is a program of the Council of Independent Colleges and is grateful to Lilly Endowment Inc. for its generous support of this event.