Over forty teachers of American religion met in early June to talk about “Teaching the New American Religious History.” The conference, sponsored by the project and hosted by Vanderbilt Divinity School, brought together teachers from colleges and seminaries across the country, along with scholars who have done some creative research in the last five to ten years. The goal was to connect this research with classroom teaching. Workshops featured presentations, master classes, and demonstrations. Participants also brought artifacts for a “Religion Roadshow,” a display of objects and documents they use to teach American religion.
Project scholar Marie Griffith has a new article out, based on her research for the project. R. Marie Griffith, "Apostles of Abstinence: Fasting and Masculinity During the Progressive Era," American Quarterly 52:4 (December 2000), 599-638. (You can access this article through our electronic journal page.)
Recent additions to the project’s web site include a contemporary statement on “worker justice” for church employees and a photograph of Francis Asbury’s powder horn.
After over five years of work, the Material History of American Religion Project is wrapping up its work. Our participating scholars have produced four books, with six more yet to come in the next few years. We have presented papers at conferences across the United States and in Europe. Over six hundred people have received our biannual newsletter. Many more have visited our web site. We hope that the project’s work has made a significant impact on how American religion is taught and studied. Thank you for your interest and support.
The project’s web site, www.materialreligion.org, will live on. While we not add to the site on a regular basis, its resources will be available into the foreseeable future.
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