Workshop to help faculty navigate religion in classroom

Classrooms should be a place where ideas are openly exchanged. But when those ideas are deeply rooted and faith-based, maintaining respectful discussions among students and with faculty can be challenging.

To assist faculty in navigating the challenge of religious discussions in class, a workshop led by two Bethel University faculty members is scheduled for noon Feb. 27 in University Center 116.

Marion Larson, professor, Department of English, Bethel University, and Sara Shady, associate professor, Department of Philosophy, Bethel University, will lead the 90 minute workshop sponsored by five campus departments. Bethel is a Christian university in St. Paul, Minn., that enrolls about 3,500 students. Larson and Shady are authors of “Cultivating Student Learning Across Faith Lines.”

“I think that there is real confusion at times in the classroom around balancing the presentation of course material with religious interpretations of that material, both by students and faculty.” Jeff Scholes, assistant professor,  Philosophy Department,  and director of the Center for Religious Diversity and Public Life, said. “At what point are faith convictions a hindrance to the learning of certain topics and when, if ever, should they be respected by faculty? This is a question that is rarely addressed in pedagogy, yet it is a very relevant one.”

Kee Warner, associate vice chancellor, Office of Diversity and Inclusiveness, believes the workshop will provide faculty members the opportunity to learn how to facilitate faith-based discussions in class as well as being able to uphold scientific integrity while respecting religious beliefs.

“Sometimes things come up in class,” Warner said. “A faculty member may not know what to do. At the same time, students may not open up. These are teachable moments where faculty can engage students and draw on both the students’ experiences and their own.

“This is an area where we need practice. The workshops allow us to think this through ahead of time and take inclusiveness to the next level.”

To attend the workshop, or for more information about it, email [email protected] or call 255-3707. Those interested in attending should respond by Feb. 17.

Sponsors of the workshop are the Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost, Office of Diversity and Inclusiveness, Center for Religious Diversity and Public Life and the College of Business Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative.