2003 Faculty Seminar

In September 2003 faculty members representing nine academic units began an intensive, four-month seminar to consider the degree to which professional training prepares professionals to serve religiously diverse clientele. The seminar's interdisciplinary discussions highlighted common challenges and opportunities among the professions and established a foundation for RPP's research, outreach, and curricular development initiatives.

The seminar began with an overview of religion's role in creating the foundations of a culture. In subsequent weeks faculty members led discussions on the evolution of each profession in America's Judeo-Christian culture. Participants explored the history of the professions, considered the state of professional education with special attention given to issues of interest to the Center, and identified research and curricular development opportunities. Faculty members also used the seminar to prepare to teach the semester-long seminars scheduled for Winter 2004 and Winter 2005, which will involve the RPP fellows and MU students.