The Religious Studies Major and Liberal Education

Titel	The Religious Studies Major and Liberal Education
Quelle	In: Liberal Education, 95 (2009) 2, S.48-55 (8 Seiten) PDF als Volltext (1); PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei (2) Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0024-1822
Schlagwörter	Religion Studies; General Education; Philosophy; Religious Education; Liberal Arts; Majors (Students); Religious Factors; College Students; Role of Education; College Faculty; Teacher Attitudes; Administrator Attitudes; Misconceptions; Interdisciplinary Approach; Community Colleges + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Religionswissenschaft; Allgemein bildendes Schulwesen; Allgemeinbildung; Philosophie; Kirchliche Erziehung; Religionserziehung; Religionspädagogik; Collegestudent; Bildungsauftrag; Fakultät; Lehrerverhalten; Missverständnis; Fächerübergreifender Unterricht; Fächerverbindender Unterricht; Interdisziplinarität; Community college; Community College
Abstract	At a time when leaders in higher education are increasingly asking students to engage the large issues of life's meaning and to think critically and responsibly about their role in the world, religious studies offers unique opportunities. Other disciplines such as philosophy, literature, and the creative arts doubtlessly engage questions of ultimate meaning. Yet these endeavors are largely the province of the talented few: (1) the philosopher; (2) the novelist; (3) the poet; (4) the painter; and (5) the dancer. The rest are the audience. While, to be sure, people can learn to appreciate the creations of these artists and scholars, they remain observers. Religion, by contrast, is largely created by its adherents. Millions of worshipers and hundreds of thousands of local religious communities--through their prayers, rituals, devotions, and acts of charity; their conversations about scriptures; and their hierarchies and institutions--shape and are shaped by the religious meanings of their traditions. If one truly wishes for students to engage the tremendous variety of human understandings of life, death, suffering, love, and meaning, there is perhaps no more direct path than through the study of religion. Clearly, the field of religious studies now finds itself at a pivotal moment. An unprecedented confluence of world events, public perceptions, and educational insights has created exciting possibilities for the growth and reimagining of the field--possibilities that were unthinkable even a decade ago. The current moment presents important opportunities for the academic study of religion--and poses a series of challenges. How scholars of religion respond to these challenges may well have much to say about the future of the discipline--not to mention the future of American public literacy about a broad range of religious phenomena. The evolving nature of the field--both with regard to global events and to the changing nature of the discussion of values within the modern academy--necessitates a reassessment of the undergraduate religion major and its role in advancing the larger goals of liberal education. (Contains 2 notes.) (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	Association of American Colleges and Universities. 1818 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009. Tel: 800-297-3775; Tel: 202-387-3760; Fax: 202-265-9532; e-mail: pub_desk@aacu.org; Web site: http://www.aacu.org/publications/index.cfm
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10