Working through the Problems of Study Abroad Using the Methodologies of Religious Studies

After illustrating the joys of teaching religious studies abroad with an anecdote from my trip to China, I warn of some of its inherent pedagogical and ethical challenges. I argue that teaching some of the "new directions" in religious studies scholarship might address these challenges. Th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Siegler, Elijah (Author)
Contributors: Barbour, John D. (Bibliographic antecedent)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell [2015]
In: Teaching theology and religion
Year: 2015, Volume: 18, Issue: 1, Pages: 37-45
IxTheo Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
AG Religious life; material religion
AH Religious education
Further subjects:B Authenticity
B higher education contexts
B new directions in religious studies scholarship
B study abroad
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:After illustrating the joys of teaching religious studies abroad with an anecdote from my trip to China, I warn of some of its inherent pedagogical and ethical challenges. I argue that teaching some of the "new directions" in religious studies scholarship might address these challenges. These include a turning away from the abstract (texts, beliefs, theologies) and towards the concrete (bodies, places, rituals); moving away from teaching religions as unchanging, ancient verities and instead emphasizing the impact that colonialism, modernization, and secularism have had; moving from searching for authenticity to questioning it; and emphasizing methodological self-consciousness. Keeping these new directions in mind will help ensure the study abroad experience is educationally successful. This essay serves as an introduction to a series of six additional essays comprising a special section of the journal (see Teaching Theology and Religion 18:1, January 2015).
ISSN:1467-9647
Reference:Kritik in ""Oh Events" for the Professor (2015)"
Contains:Enthalten in: Teaching theology and religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/teth.12261