2008 Institute on Teaching the World's Religions
“Texts and Traditions”
Washington, D.C.
July 7-12, 2008, from 6pm on Monday through lunch on Saturday
Institute Schedule (tentative)
Monday, July 7th
6:00pm Welcome Dinner
7:00pm – 9:00pm Hands on Buddhism
Tuesday, July 8th
9:00am – 3:30pm A Jewish Literary and Theological Reading
Wednesday, July 9th
9:00am – 10:30am Religion & Nature
10:30am – 12:00 Integrating Science & Religion: The Universe Story
Afternoon free to visit the DC area
(dinner on your own)
Thursday, July 10th
9:00am – 3:30pm Hinduism & The Bhagavad Gita
Friday, July 11th
9:00am – 3:30pm Hinduism & The Upanishads
Saturday, July 12th
9:00am – 11:00 Teaching Chinese Religions
11:00 – noon Evaluation
Teaching the Bhagavad Gita and Teaching the Upanishads (Suzanne Bessenger)
This two-day workshop will spend a brief time with key concepts in Hinduism (karma, dharma, bhakti, etc.) and the way these concepts shape Hindu worldviews, and then turn its focus to exploring the classical Indian texts, the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. In particular, the texts will be looked at as windows into the interrelated religious traditions and practices of South Asia commonly called “Hinduism.” Reading the philosophical Upanishads and the devotional Bhagavad Gita, participants will examine these texts’ references to the three Hindu paths to liberation—ritual, contemplative renunciation, and devotion.
A Jewish Literary and Theological Reading of Selected Hebrew Bible Narratives and How Jerusalem Became Sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians (Marc L. Raphael)
The first of Raphael’s half-day presentations will use medieval Jewish and modern Jewish biblical commentators, and narratives from I and II Samuel and I and II Kings, to demonstrate that the biblical narrators were just as sophisticated as any contemporary author of fiction. Using texts from Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, the second of Raphael’s presentations will explore the emergence of Jerusalem as sacred place/space in each tradition, noticing along the way how very differently each tradition sees the holy city.
Other Topics:
- Teaching the Religions of China
- Teaching Respect for the Earth through Religion
- Hands-On Buddhism for the High School Classroom
- Integrating Science and Religion: The Universe Story
Presenter(s)
Lodging
Participants from out of town will lodge and take their meals at Cathedral College, on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral. Cathedral College has long been a favorite conference site for CSEE event participants. Rooms are single rooms with shared bathrooms in the hall. A small reduction in fees can be arranged for participants wishing to share rooms.
Location & Directions
The workshops will be held at Cathedral College at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. For directions, please visit www.cathedral.org/cathedral/college/directions.shtml