Virtual Commons - Bridgewater State University

Plenary 3: Religious Studies in a Pluralistic Society: Multiple Perspectives from the BSU Global Religious Studies Working Group

Moakley Auditorium

In the midst of heated political rhetoric, globalization, and America’s rapidly shifting religious landscape, how might BSU foster religious literacy and greater understanding on campus and in the world? This interdisciplinary panel offers a range of critical perspectives and possibilities from the BSU Global Religious Studies Working Group. With O’Malley as moderator, we intend our brief presentations to generate discussion. First, Lowe highlights the best models adapted from her training with Harvard’s Religious Literacy Project. Mozaffar then discusses how a multidisciplinary approach can be incorporated into the academic study of religion. Venkatesan concludes with a focus on the potential for religious studies to foster greater understanding through conscious communication and ultimately, inclusivity in a tangibly pluralistic world.