Center on Religion & the Professions

Improving religious literacy among professionals.

Exhibition: “The Sacred Feminine”

by

artemis2

This multi-media exhibition explores religious images of women in art from antiquity to the present. Artworks represent the Mediterranean, western Europe, Americas, Africa and Asia. Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, professor of religious art and cultural history at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, will give the keynote address. A wide range of media, including bronze, stone, wood, and terracotta sculpture, painting and textiles, will be showcased.

The exhibition features an exhibit, academic symposium, keynote speaker and additional related events. [Read more…]

The Ill Boy

by

The 7-year old son of African immigrants has a chronic disease. Although the condition is serious, it is easily treated with medications and changes in diet. The family frequently misses scheduled appointments. After six months of treatment, the child shows little improvement, and the American doctors have determined that the family is noncompliant. Translators have attempted to bridge the gap between the doctors and the family, with only limited success. The nurses wonder whether a well qualified social worker could help the situation. The hospital administrators are looking for a social worker with the skills and educational background to help improve the situation.

Issues and Study Questions

  • Based on the overview above, what are the issues?
  • What beliefs are at issue here?
  • Why were the parents “noncompliant?”
  • What could the doctors/nurses do differently?
  • What do you feel the doctors/admistrators should do here?
  • How could a specialized social worker assist in this situation?
  • Was religion an issue in this situation?
  • What is the responsibility of the health care community in such a situation? What about other professions?
  • Do you think there is a “right” and “wrong” way to handle this situation? Why? Why not?
  • Have you faced similar issues in your own profession or personal life? If so, what were they? Were they resolved?
  • What can be learned?
  • Do you think education about religious literacy would have helped/harmed in this situation? How so?

Source: Religion and the Professions (General Honors 1030) taught by Dr. Jill Raitt, University of Missouri

Religion and the News Media

by

This case utilizes the following four articles. The situation described in the problem is hypothetical.

The journalistic coverage of religion is on the rise as the visibility of religion and spirituality increases in American society, politics and popular culture. The managing editors of the publications that printed the stories listed above have been inundated with reader feedback – both positive and negative. After seeing the volume and passion of the letters, the editors decide they must respond. Each editor asks the ombudsman to evaluate the stories to determine whether the stories were fair. Ultimately the editors want the ombudsmen to write columns on how reporters should cover controversial issues involving religion and diverse religious beliefs and practices with which reporters may be unfamiliar. The ombudsmen will also consider ways for reporters to minimize personal bias in reporting about religion.

Issues and Study Questions

  • Based on the overview above, what are the issues?
  • What are the beliefs at issue here?
  • Why did the readers support or object to the coverage?
  • What could the journalists do differently?
  • What do you feel the ombudsmen should do here?
  • Why was religion an issue in this situation?
  • What is the responsibility of the publishers in such a situation? What about other professions?
  • Do you think there is a “right” and “wrong” way to handle this situation? Why? Why not?
  • Have you faced similar issues in your own profession or personal life? If so, what were they? Were they resolved?
  • What can be learned?
  • Do you think education about religious literacy would have helped/harmed in this situation? How so?

Source: Religion and the Professions (General Honors 1030) taught by Dr. Jill Raitt, University of Missouri

CORP Newsletter – May 18, 2009

by

crp-logo

News, Research, Calls for Papers and Events from the University of Missouri’s Center on Religion & the Professions (CORP)
May 18, 2009

Greetings! This will be our last edition of the newsletter before it takes a summer hiatus, but read on for current news and upcoming events, plus previews of some events coming up this summer and in early fall 2009. [Read more…]

Lecture: Kenneth W. Stein on "American Foreign Policy and Arab-Israeli Negotiations: Peace-Seeking, Peace-Making, Peace-Keeping"

by

steinmugEmory University professor Dr. Kenneth W. Stein, former Middle East adviser to President Jimmy Carter, speaks on the current situation between Israel and the Arab Palestinians in a lecture, “American Foreign Policy and Arab-Israeli Negotiations: Peace-Seeking, Peace-Making, Peace-Keeping.”

Sponsored by: Local community members, the MU Center on Religion & the Professions, Truman School of Public Affairs, Peace Studies Program and Jewish Student Organization.

April 30, 2009 – 7 p.m.
Neff Auditorium, Neff Hall
University of Missouri

About Dr. Stein:

  • William E. Schatten Professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History and Israeli Studies at Emory University
  • Director, Institute for the Study of Modern Israel at Emory University
  • President of the Center for Israel Education at Emory University
  • Former Middle East Fellow of the Carter Center (1983-2006)
  • Instrumental in President Jimmy Carter’s post-presidential engagements in Middle Eastern policy matters

For more information about Dr. Stein, see www.ismi.emory.edu or contact Yossi Feintuch, rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom in Columbia at (573) 499-4855 or feintuchy@missouri.edu. Professor Stein was Feintuch’s doctoral adviser in U.S. Middle Eastern policy at Emory and guided him toward publishing his dissertation, “U.S. Policy on Jerusalem,” a copy of which is available at the University of Missouri Ellis Library. Feintuch is a lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at University of Missouri.

UPDATE: Read article in the Columbia Missourian, May 1, 2009

Film: "Acting on Faith: Women’s New Religious Activism in America"

by

Acting on FaithThis documentary offers an intimate look at the lives and work of three American women – a Buddhist, a Hindu, and a Muslim – for whom faith, activism, and identity are deeply intertwined. Shamita Das Dasgupta uses strong female figures in Hindu myth to provide encouragement to battered women to leave abusive husbands. Laila Al-Marayati illustrates how the Muslim principle of “zakat” served as the inspiration for the first free clinic in South Central Los Angeles. Mushim Ikeda-Nash integrates the experiences of women into the American Buddhist practice. The film offers insight into thought and action being created by women activists of various religious and cultural traditions in the United States. (2005)

Discussion led by Dr. Guy McCormack, clinical professor and chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy in the MU School of Health Professions. Free refreshments courtesy of DAYS INN/TRAVELODGE.

March 5, 2009 – 7 p.m
Wrench Auditorium (South Memorial Union
University of Missouri

Part of the “Spirituality & Health” film series sponsored by the MU Center on Religion & the Professions. Free.

MUSponsored by the Center on Religion & the Professions