Armacost Library: REL 490/495: Senior Seminar: Professional Associations and News Feeds

Purpose

This page serves to bring the cloistered undergrad into the larger and more dynamic discussions going on in the community of religious studies. The purpose of this is threefold:

To raise awareness of current issues and challenges in religious studies.
To stimulate ideas for student senior research.
To prepare undergraduates for involvement with the religious studies community whether as a graduate student, professional, or community member.

"The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life seeks to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs."

"NPR's stories on U.S. and world religion, spirituality, ethics, and moral issues affecting society and culture."

Professional Associations in Religious Studies

American Academy of Religion (AAR)
From the website: "In a world where religion plays so central a role in social, political, and economic events, as well as in the lives of communities and individuals, there is a critical need for ongoing reflection upon and understanding of religious traditions, issues, questions, and values. The American Academy of Religion's mission is to promote such reflection through excellence in scholarship and teaching in the field of religion."
International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR)
From the website: " The International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) is a worldwide body of national and regional associations for the academic study of religion, and is a member of the Conseil International de la Philosophie et des Sciences Humaines/ The International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies (CIPSH) under the auspices of UNESCO."
North American Association for the Study of Religion (NAASR)
From the website: NAASR was formed "to encourage the historical, comparative, structural, theoretical, and cognitive approaches to the study of religion among North American scholars; to represent North American scholars of religion at the international level; and to sustain communication between North American scholars and their international colleagues engaged in the study of religion."
Religious Research Association (RRA)
From the website: "An interfaith and international association with over 600 members including college, university, and seminary faculty; religious leaders; organizational consultants; laypersons; and other professionals interested in the intersection of religion and society."
Society for the Scientic Study of Religion (SSSR)
SSSR "stimulates, promotes, and communicates social scientific research about religious institutions and experiences."