Educating About Religious Diversity and Interfaith Engagement

From the Foreword:

“While we have increased our emphasis on racial and gender identity over the past twenty years, higher education has not had a commensurate effort to create a deeper understanding of the important role college years play in students' religious, secular, and spiritual identity.

This book, through case studies and examples of relevant research and practice, will be an important resource for creating programs that encourage interfaith dialogue and promote a greater understanding of the religious and secular diversity represented among our students.”

Kevin Kruger, President

NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

"If you dream about humanity bending toward justice, or relationships that nurture peace and even love, you understand that religious, secular, and spiritual diversity education is a critical frontier for higher education. History has taught us that college campuses are catalysts for movements of inclusion and human transformation—and Goodman, Giess, Patel and colleagues implore us to design learning environments that champion interfaith engagement to this end. A treasure of pedagogically sound and practical wisdom awaits. I could not stop reading."

Frank Shushok, Jr., Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Associate

Virginia Tech

"The editors of this volume have produced a timely, thoughtful, and responsible effort that locates the importance of excellent interfaith practice within the good work of Student Affairs. Offering examples of effective co-curricular pedagogical tools -- programs, activities, events and case studies – designed to help students engage in productive exchange across worldview differences, the editors have provided an invaluable resource for institutional stakeholders specifically interested in inclusive interfaith engagement."

Matthew J. Mayhew, The William Ray and Marie Adamson Flesher Professor of Educational Administration

The Ohio State University

"The writers in this volume bravely and empathetically address the fascinating religious and secular diversity on college campuses. Unlike those wishing to use the student affairs profession to advance a narrow moral agenda, these writers lead the way in showing respect, justice and honor to the breadth of humanity in our universities. If read sympathetically and used wisely, their insights and advice can lead us to a deeper understanding of and love for each other."

Perry L. Glanzer, Professor of Educational Foundations and Resident Scholar

Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion

“Goodman, Giess and Patel masterfully and poignantly remind us that If we are truly committed to the holistic development of our students, creating more inclusive communities, and developing capacities that form global citizens then we must facilitate opportunities for college students to learn about their, and others, religious, spiritual and secular identities. Their message is clarifying and strikes as a moral imperative if we understand that our greatest mission is the utmost development of human potential. They generously and wisely offer us many paths forward!”

Patty Perillo, Vice President for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor of Higher Education, Virginia Tech; Past President of ACPA-College Student Educators International

“Drawing wisdom from case studies of cultural conflict and resolution in religious diversity, the text explores teaching and learning strategies in student affairs preparation to encourage spirituality engagement, and provides advice on understanding and supporting students from diverse cultural/religious backgrounds. Important factors that promote student development include creating space to support spiritual expression, ensuring opportunities for students to experience worldview diversity, and engaging with interfaith cooperation within a social justice framework. Student affairs programs should prepare future practitioners to be reflective, act authentically, and be ready to engage with current and future students' myriad religious, secular, and spiritual worldviews. Educational activities that enhance campus diversity include religious literacy workshops, dialogue and personal exploration, interfaith training strategies, and advocacy. Case studies illustrate the need to avoid indoctrination and coercion, consider secular worldviews, and navigate issues of intersectionality and world politics. The text concludes by providing introductory information and resource lists for understanding and supporting many of the diverse religions on campuses. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals.”

Choice

"The book is filled with practical resources to support student affairs faculty and staff who want to engage religious diversity. Part Two provides detailed examples of courses, lessons, and activities for integrating religious diversity material into already-established student affairs curriculum or for creating stand-alone student affairs graduate courses focused on worldview diversity. Part Three showcases successful programs including two chapters with brief write-ups submitted by faculty and staff from universities throughout the country. Part Four includes a helpful opening chapter on pedagogical considerations and multiple case studies.

Educating About Religious Diversity and Interfaith Engagement: A Handbook for Student Affairs is a valuable resource for Interfaith Leadership education. The wealth of concrete examples and the extensive reference sections that conclude many of the chapters make this an important resource for student affairs professionals and any other educator interested in cultivating Interfaith Leadership on college campuses."

The Wabash Center Journal on Teaching

"Educating about Religious Diversity and Interfaith Engagement: A Handbook for Student Affairs is a practical guide with resources for interfaith professionals and university administrators in student affairs. It is organized in five parts and provides a set of guidelines to engage with the different worldviews of students in academic courses and programs in the United States."

Reading Religion: A Publication of the American Academy of Religion