In this series of four workshops, students will explore the art of teaching religious studies, along with a side helping of inclusive pedagogy.  This series is recommended for all students planning to embark upon professional pedagogical careers in the academic study of religion and beyond.

March 31, "Teaching at Religiously-Affiliated Institutions."  
Four alumni will discuss how they adapted their pedagogy from their training at the University of Chicago to the institutional and student expectations at various religiously affiliated institutions. The alumni on the panel will be Mary Emily Duba (University of Dubuque), Vincent Evener (United Lutheran Seminary), Hector Varela Rios (Villanova University), and Elizabeth Sartell (Lewis University).  Introductory workshop.
 
April 14, "What is Distinctive about Teaching Religious Studies?" In this panel, Professors Sarah Fredericks, Margaret Mitchell, Jeffrey Stackert, and Erin Walsh will wrestle with the big question of what distinguishes the teaching of religious studies from teaching in other disciplines.  10:30-Noon, Swift 208.  Introductory workshop.  
 

April 19, "Inclusive Pedagogical Design for Students from Non-Elite Backgrounds: What I Wish I'd Understood Sooner", with Jeremy Posadas (Stetson University).  Posadas was trained at elite institutions (AB, Chicago; PhD, Emory) but over his decade-plus teaching career, most of his students have been from non-elite backgrounds, chiefly working-class and/or first-gen students, who represent an increasing share of the undergraduate student population. He will discuss some of the particular challenges these students face as well as key considerations for designing courses that empower them as critical thinkers and affirm their belonging in college/university.  4:30-6PM, Swift 208.  Advanced Workshop.  

May 12, "Using Technology in the Religious Studies Classroom, with alumnus Sean Hannan (PhD '16). In this interactive workshop, Hannan (MacEwan University), will demonstrate how he incorporates digital humanities technology into the religious studies classroom. He will focus on tools such as digital mapping, interactive timelines, quantitative textual analysis, and more.  Time will be provided in the workshop for participants to play with these tools and consider how they might be utilized for teaching various topics within religious studies.  10:30-Noon, Swift 208.  Advanced workshop.