International Studies Perspectives (2019) 0, 1–43
Teaching Religion and International
Relations: Disciplinary, Pedagogical,
and Personal Reflections
GREGORIO B ETTIZA
University of Exeter
DEINA ABDELKADER
University of Massachusetts Lowell and Harvard University
DAVID T. B UCKLEY
University of Louisville
J OCELYNE CESARI
University of Birmingham and Georgetown University
J EFFREY HAYNES
London Metropolitan University
NUKHET S ANDAL
Ohio University
AND
GIORGIO S HANI
International Christian University
Abstract: The study of religion and international religions has witnessed
an exponential growth in recent decades. Courses and programs explor-
ing the complex entanglements between faith and global politics have like-
wise mushroomed around the world. Despite this ferment, reflections on
teaching religion and international relations have so far lagged behind.
This forum seeks to remedy this general silence. It brings together a di-
verse range of scholars from a multiplicity of national, religious, method-
ological, and theoretical backgrounds who teach across a variety of dif-
ferent geographical settings including North America, Europe, and East
Asia. Contributors reflect on three broad themes. First, how do we engage
with the contested character of religion as a category of analysis and prac-
tice, and with the multidisciplinary nature of its study? Second, how does
the context within which we operate—be it geographical, cultural, institu-
tional, or historical—influence and shape who, what, and how we teach?
Third, how do we address the important and, at times, contentious per-
sonal and ethical challenges that our research and teaching on religion
and politics inevitably raises in the classroom?
Resumen: El estudio de la religión y de las religiones internacionales ha
sido testigo de un crecimiento exponencial en las últimas décadas. De
igual manera, los cursos y programas en los que se exploran los entre-
lazamientos entre la fe y la política mundial han proliferado en todo el
mundo. Pese a esta agitación, las reflexiones sobre la enseñanza de la re-
ligión y las relaciones internacionales han quedado, hasta el momento,
rezagadas. En este foro se apunta a poner fin a este silencio general-
izado. En él, se reúne a diferentes académicos de una gran variedad de
Bettiza, Gregorio et al. (2019) Teaching Religion and International Relations: Disciplinary, Pedagogical,
and Personal Reflections. International Studies Perspectives, doi: 10.1093/isp/ekz012
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