In Person
Teaching Interfaith Understanding Faculty Seminar
Interfaith America (IA) and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) are pleased to announce a multidisciplinary seminar on Teaching Interfaith Understanding (TIU) for full-time faculty members at CIC member colleges and universities.
June 18–22, 2023
Chicago, IL
Interfaith America (IA) and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) are pleased to announce a multidisciplinary seminar on Teaching Interfaith Understanding for full-time faculty members at CIC member colleges and universities. The seminar will broaden faculty members’ knowledge and perspective to help them strengthen the teaching of interfaith understanding, develop new courses and other resources, and expand the network of faculty members who are committed to teaching this subject. The seminar, offered by CIC and IA and generously supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., will cover most costs of participation for those faculty members who are selected.
The 2023 seminar will examine how interfaith understanding can be taught effectively in the college classroom so that students are equipped for interfaith engagement and leadership both in the classroom and beyond.
This seminar, led by Laurie Patton, president of Middlebury College, and Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America, will examine the substantial theoretical questions inherent in teaching interfaith understanding and explore the practical work of translating these ideas into courses. Participating faculty members will have opportunities to develop teaching resources such as syllabi and course modules that may be shared online with colleagues at many other institutions. Each day, the seminar will focus on a particular dimension of interfaith understanding—such as models of interfaith collaboration and pedagogies for teaching interfaith cooperation—and will include both theoretical and applied work. The seminar will blend discussions of case studies and syllabi, primary texts and scholarly readings, and experiential activities such as site visits.
Nomination Details
Faculty members from all disciplines at CIC member colleges and universities are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be nominated by their chief academic officer. Participants are selected by competitive nomination. Lodging, most meals, and reading materials are typically provided, thanks to generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc. Participants or their institutions are expected to cover transportation to and from the seminar location.
Please note the seminar dates have changed since the original announcement. The seminar will now be held June 18-22, 2023.
The nomination should include:
- Letter of support that endorses the nominee and explains the current state of interfaith initiatives on campus as well the opportunities the nominee will be given upon returning to campus to use what has been learned;
- Completed nomination form;
- Statement of interest and expected outcomes from the faculty member; and
- Faculty member’s CV.
Please submit the completed nomination online by Friday, February 10, 2023.
Selection of participants will be announced by Friday, February 24, 2023.
Seminar Directors
Eboo Patel
Laurie Patton
Contact Us
Please contact us with any questions about the Teaching Interfaith Understanding Faculty Seminar.
